Dr Hassan Elhais Joins IAFL Dublin Conference September 2026

Key Takeaways

The IAFL Dublin Conference highlighted the growing complexity of international family law and the critical need for specialized cross-border expertise. Here’s what legal professionals and families navigating international relocations should know:

• International relocation requires formal consent or court approval – Moving abroad with children after separation demands written consent from all parties with parental responsibility or court permission, as unauthorized moves constitute child abduction.
• Different jurisdictions apply vastly different relocation standards – While England prioritizes child welfare alone, the UAE requires notarized consent with distinct custodian-guardian roles, and non-Hague Convention countries face unique enforcement challenges.
• Early specialist legal advice and detailed planning are crucial – Successful relocation applications require comprehensive evidence including employment contracts, school admissions, housing plans, and realistic contact schedules with specific travel arrangements.
• Global legal networks strengthen family law practice – IAFL’s 1,090 Fellows across 127 jurisdictions demonstrate how international professional connections enable practitioners to deliver optimal results when legal concerns span multiple countries.

The Dublin conference’s sold-out status months in advance underscores the legal community’s commitment to advancing international family law standards and protecting families navigating the complexities of cross-border relocations.

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Dr Hassan Elhais secured a prominent role at the prestigious IAFL Annual Meeting in Dublin, scheduled for September 2, 2026. The conference sold out months in advance, with registration closing on July 20, 2026, reflecting the global legal community’s commitment to advancing international family law. Professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais co-chaired the Relocation Committee session alongside Anna Worwood, moderating critical discussions on cross-border family movements. The distinguished panel included Zofia Józefowicz-Paszewska, Narghis Bundhun SC, Alfonso Sepúlveda G., and Alex Verdan KC, who shared invaluable insights on navigating international relocation challenges. Above all, the session addressed the legal complexities families face when moving across borders, strengthening global dialog among practitioners dedicated to protecting parents, spouses, and children worldwide.

Dr Hassan Elhais Co-Chairs Critical Relocation Committee Session

What Role Did Professional Lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais Play?

Professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais holds the elected co-chair position of the Relocation of Children Committee at the International Academy of Family Lawyers. The organization comprises practicing lawyers recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. His election to this leadership role reflects recognition from international peers who consider him a leading specialist in cross-border family matters.

At the Dublin conference, professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais moderated critical discussions alongside Anna Worwood from England and Wales. The session explored important and ever-evolving issues surrounding relocation, bringing together practitioners to examine how families navigate international moves. His co-chair role enabled him to facilitate dialog on child relocation cases and multi-jurisdictional considerations affecting expatriate families worldwide.

Who Joined the Distinguished Panel of Speakers?

The Relocation Committee session featured international experts who shared cross-border insights on complex family movements. Zofia Józefowicz-Paszewska, Narghis Bundhun SC, Alfonso Sepúlveda G., and Alex Verdan KC contributed their expertise to discussions on navigating international relocation challenges. Each panelist brought jurisdiction-specific knowledge to address the legal complexities families encounter when moving across borders.

The panel composition reflected IAFL’s commitment to global dialog among practitioners dedicated to advancing international family law. Professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais reviews emphasized the value of connecting with colleagues focused on protecting parents, spouses, and children worldwide through collaborative knowledge sharing.

Why Does Cross-Border Family Law Matter Now?

The demand for international family law expertise continues rising, with 75% of family law solicitors in England and Wales reporting an increase in international family law cases in 2020. Cross-border family disputes, specifically those concerning parental responsibility and international parental child abduction, increasingly are being settled through mediation.

Accordingly, the need for specialized practitioners who understand multi-jurisdictional frameworks has become essential. International relocation disputes require lawyers who can navigate different legal systems’ treatment of foreign custody orders, a matter of great concern for expatriates with connections to multiple countries. The Dublin session addressed these challenges by examining how differently legal systems recognize and enforce cross-border arrangements, providing practitioners with practical strategies for complex international cases.

IAFL Dublin Conference Sells Out Months in Advance

What Makes the Dublin Meeting Unique?

The IAFL Annual Meeting in Dublin reached capacity on April 13, 2026, with organizers announcing no further registrations could be accepted. The conference spanned Wednesday, September 2 through Sunday, September 6, attracting legal professionals from multiple jurisdictions. Registration opened in middle to late March, with the entire Intercontinental Hotel in Dublin reserved for attendees, plus room blocks secured at two nearby hotels.

How Did the Conference Address Inclusivity Concerns?

The IAFL Executive Committee instituted a new policy following direct feedback from participants who expressed concerns about meetings lacking inclusivity. Specifically, organizers observed a noticeable increase in private spin-off events taking place during official meeting times, which contributed to exclusionary dynamics among attendees.

The new mandate prohibits private group functions during advertised meeting times, specifically from Wednesday lunchtime through Sunday morning. Further, the organization directed all participants to review the Policy on Expectations of Engagement at IAFL Events, emphasizing collective responsibility for creating welcoming environments at gatherings.

Which Topics Dominated the Education Program?

The conference provided comprehensive educational materials through dedicated program links, including speaker profiles, papers, and presentations when available. The legal education committee organized sessions addressing important and ever-evolving issues in international family law, with the Relocation Committee session representing one component of broader educational offerings focused on cross-border legal challenges affecting families worldwide.

International Experts Share Cross-Border Relocation Insights

How Do Families Navigate International Moves?

Panelists emphasized that moving abroad with a child after separation requires written consent from everyone with parental responsibility or court permission. International moves differ substantially from domestic relocations, as permanent relocation can affect the child’s life,

Legal Community Strengthens Global Family Law Practice

Why Do International Connections Matter for Family Lawyers?

IAFL enables Fellows practicing international family law to obtain legal assistance of the highest caliber in another country. The organization brings together the most experienced and skilled family law specialists, with Fellows frequently seeking assistance from colleagues on a wide range of issues. Membership in such international professional organizations strengthens professional connections among legal practitioners and expands opportunities for exchanging knowledge, experience, and best practices.

Senior members who are Fellows personally know many leading international lawyers in the network, having built close professional relationships over many years. These connections ensure practitioners deliver optimal results when legal concerns span multiple jurisdictions, whatever the issue may be.

How Does IAFL Advance Standards Worldwide?

Since its formation in 1986, IAFL has steadily expanded its global reach to 127 jurisdictions with 1,090 Fellows, including 43 judicial fellows and 28 associate academic fellows. The organization operates four regional Chapters: a USA Chapter with 418 fellows from 42 states, a European Chapter with 353 fellows from 36 jurisdictions, an Asia Pacific Chapter with 173 fellows from 14 jurisdictions, and a Canadian Chapter with 60 fellows from 6 provinces and territories.

IAFL has supported legislators and law makers across the world in law reform. The organization maintains Observer status on multiple Hague Conference on Private International Law Projects, including the Experts’ Group on Parentage/Surrogacy and Special Commissions on the 1993, 2007, 1996, and 1980 Conventions. Accordingly, IAFL sends representatives to relevant international conferences, promoting effective operation of international treaties relating to children, service, evidence abroad, and harmonization of jurisdictional rules in family law.

What Future Collaborations Emerged from Dublin?

The Dublin meeting reinforced IAFL’s deserved reputation for collegiality and conviviality. Professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais and fellow panelists demonstrated how connecting with colleagues dedicated to advancing international family law creates lasting professional networks that benefit parents, spouses, and children worldwide. The organization remains committed to expanding its reach in jurisdictions currently underrepresented within its Fellowship and making meetings more accessible to all practitioners.

Conclusion

The sold-out Dublin conference reinforced the critical need for global collaboration on cross-border family law matters. Professional lawyer Dr Hassan Elhais and his co-panelists demonstrated how connecting specialized practitioners advances protective standards for families navigating international relocations. With attention to multi-jurisdictional challenges, the session strengthened professional networks dedicated to serving parents, spouses, and children worldwide. The legal education committee’s efforts ensured practitioners gained practical strategies for increasingly complex international family law cases affecting expatriate communities globally.