The International Family Law Group LLP

 Children

Partner

Helen Blackburn is a renowned child law specialist and recognised expert in international child abduction and other children cases with an international dimension or involving the cross-border movement of children.

She represents adults and children in child abduction cases, cases involving arrangements for children domestically and cross borders, adoption (domestic and intercountry), the reciprocal enforcement of foreign orders, international relocation/leave to remove applications, surrogacy, wardship, forced marriage and jurisdictional disputes.  She is instructed, regularly and at the request of the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU), to represent left behind parents with Hague Convention applications.

Helen qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and joined IFLG as a partner in 2009. She is accredited by Resolution as a specialist in child abduction and private children law.

Helen lectures to the legal profession in the UK and overseas on a regular basis. Helen writes for various legal journals/publications and she is the author of the chapters on international adoption, child abduction and legal aid in ‘The International Family Law Practice’ (6th Edition Lexis Nexis).

Helen is a founding member and former Chair of The Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA)

The Legal 500 UK 2024

'Helen Blackburn combines razor sharp technical knowledge with an empathetic and client-focused manner. She is somebody you would want on your side in any litigation involving international children'.

'Helen Blackburn is totally clam and unflappable. Conscientious and reliable to a tee, really thinks things through, and has an eye on the long term goal. Tactical and very wise'.

'Helen Blackburn has decades of experience, is hardworking but personable and a pleasure to deal with'.

The Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) A Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) Resolution (Accredited as a specialist family lawyer) The Law Society Reunite: International Child Abduction Centre