Procedure for the return of a child
Article 27
1. A court cannot refuse to return a child unless the person seeking the return of the child has been given an opportunity to be heard. 2. The court may, at any stage of the proceedings, in accordance with Article 15, examine whether contact between the child and the person seeking the return of the child should be ensured, taking into account the best interests of the child. 3. Where a court considers refusing to return a child solely on the basis of point (b) of Article 13(1) of the 1980 Hague Convention, it shall not refuse to return the child if the party seeking the return of the child satisfies the court by providing sufficient evidence, or the court is otherwise satisfied, that adequate arrangements have been made to secure the protection of the child after his or her return. 4. For the purposes of paragraph 3 of this Article, the court may communicate with the competent authorities of the Member State where the child was habitually resident immediately before the wrongful removal or retention, either directly in accordance with Article 86 or with the assistance of Central Authorities. 5. Where the court orders the return of the child, the court may, where appropriate, take provisional, including protective, measures in accordance with Article 15 of this Regulation in order to protect the child from the grave risk referred to in point (b) of Article 13(1) of the 1980 Hague Convention, provided that the examining and taking of such measures would not unduly delay the return proceedings. 6. A decision ordering the return of the child may be declared provisionally enforceable, notwithstanding any appeal, where the return of the child before the decision on the appeal is required by the best interests of the child.