The purpose of the treaty is to establish guidelines and protocols for the safe investigation of international child abduction and the return of children who are wrongfully retained or wrongfully removed from another state.

The treaty does not take away a state’s power to make decision, rather it is an agreement between states on how they will use their own powers.

Article 18

The provisions of this Chapter do not limit the power of a judicial or administrative authority to order the return of the child at any time.