International Child Abduction Respondents Scheme

# International Child Abduction Respondents Scheme (ICARS) **Issued by:** Attorney-General's Department **Category:** Legal Services The International Child Abduction Respondents Scheme (ICARS) provides crucial financial assistance to individuals in Australia responding to applications filed under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Specifically, this funding supports respondents addressing applications for the return of a child under the Family Law (Child Abduction Convention) Regulations 1986 in Australian courts. ## elligibility Criteria **Eligibility:** To be eligible for ICARS, applicants must be: * Defending or planning to defend an application in an Australian court under the Regulations seeking a child return order. * Appealing or intending to appeal a return order made by an Australian court under the Regulations. * Responding to or planning to respond to an appeal against a non-return decision made by an Australian court under the Regulations. Applications are accepted for proceedings filed under the Regulations on or after January 1, 2024. Applicants must also satisfy specific assessment criteria, detailing: * Demonstration of financial hardship justifying funding. * Criminal history. * The nature and potential impact of the legal action. ## ⚙️ Selection Process & Application **Selection Process:** Open Non-competitive **Total Available Funding:** $4,865,000 **Application Instructions:** Applicants should download the application form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check Form. Completed forms, along with all required attachments, must be emailed to finass@ag.gov.au. **Keywords:** Legal Aid, Child Abduction, Hague Convention, Family Law, Financial Assistance, Australian Courts, Litigation Funding, Legal Services Grant, International Law.