MSc Socio-Legal Studies + PhD

The research is an empirical socio-legal examination of how local authorities in England respond to child protection cases involving new migrants from European States, within a context of the EU Brussels 11a Regulation and/ or the Hague Convention on Child Protection 1996 and the expectations of the English Courts. It will explore how Local Authorities and Courts have adapted their approaches and practices in response to cases involving children and families from an increasingly diverse demographic brought about as a result of immigration from other EU Member States. Particularly, it will examine how Local Authorities and Courts have responded to calls for greater adherence to the principles of co-operation and comity that underpin the Regulation; the extent to which their child protection practices are influenced by the Regulation / Convention; their practical application of those principles; and the impact this has in terms of outcomes for children who are foreign EU nationals.