All countries which have acceded to the Hague Convention and the European Convention must appoint a central authority. The National Social Appeals Board (formerly Department of Family Affairs) has been appointed the Danish Central Authority.
The central authorities have various general tasks and duties related to the handling of child abduction cases.
General tasks
The National Social Appeals Board has a duty to ensure that Denmark observes the conventions. For example, we must transmit an application received from another convention country to the correct authority if the conditions listed in the conventions have been met.
According to the conventions, Denmark has a duty to return children who have been brought to Denmark wrongfully from other convention countries.
Additionally, we have a duty to give the other central authorities information about Danish legislation.
Specific tasks
The National Social Appeals Board must receive and transmit specific applications for the return of children under the conventions, and we must facilitate the contact between the authorities and the parties in the two countries on a continuous basis.
One of our duties is to find out where the child is located and work out an amicable solution. In these situations, we can obtain assistance from the police and the courts.
