Nordic countries
The Nordic countries have concluded a convention on marriage, adoption and guardianship (the Nordic Marriage Convention) and a convention on recognition and enforcement of decisions on civil claims (the Nordic Judgments Convention).
The Nordic Judgments Convention was implemented in Denmark by Act No. 635 of 15 September 1986 on Recognition and Enforcement of Nordic Decisions on Civil Claims and on Amendment of the Administration of Justice Act (the Nordic Judgments Act).
According to the Nordic Judgments Convention, decisions and settlements made in a convention country must be recognised and enforced by other convention countries in accordance with the relevant countries’ domestic law. The Nordic Judgments Act constitutes the Danish rules on recognition and enforcement of Nordic decisions and settlements in Denmark. The Nordic Marriage Convention provides rules on jurisdiction, also in custody cases.
Moreover, the convention specifies that all decisions made in accordance with the convention apply directly in the other convention countries.
European Union
Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility (Brussels II Regulation) does not apply in Denmark due to the Danish opt-out in the justice and home affairs field.
United Nations
The United Nations Convention of 20 November 1989 on the Rights of the Child (Child Convention) applies in Denmark. The convention was implemented in Denmark by Executive Order No. 6 of 16 January 1992 about the United Nations Convention of 20 November 1989 on the Rights of the Child.
The Child Convention provides rules on children’s right to food, shelter, development, protection and to be heard. Child abduction is directly mentioned in Article 11.