October Term 2013 · Docket 12-820
Does the Hague Convention allow courts to extend deadlines for returning abducted children?
A father seeks to return his daughter. The mother argues the deadline expired. The father claims concealment stopped the clock.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The father's advocate stated the mother kidnapped the daughter. He said she concealed her in the UK, France, and the US.
The mother's advocate argued equitable tolling contradicts the treaty. She cited the Convention's text and drafting history.
Justice Ginsburg asked where Article 13 appears in the materials. She emphasized the paramount importance of the child's interest.
Justice Scalia asked where the relevant text is located. He sought specific reference points in the case record.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case tests whether equitable tolling applies to the Hague Convention. This doctrine pauses deadlines when a party hides evidence. The father argues concealment justifies a return. The mother argues the treaty text forbids this delay.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 11, 2013.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-25
What each side wants
The father wants the court to apply equitable tolling. He seeks the return of his daughter to his custody.
The mother wants the court to reject equitable tolling. She seeks to keep her daughter in the United States.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
What each side says
The father argues concealment stopped the one-year deadline. He claims the mother hid the child for years.
The mother argues the treaty text forbids extending deadlines. She claims other signatory states reject this interpretation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
What the justices asked
Justice Alito asked if the opposing side's position incentivizes child abduction. He noted parents might hide children to delay proceedings.
Justice Kennedy asked if the court uses equitable discretion or tolling. He questioned how a six-month suspension affects the weighing process.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-13
Why it matters
This case defines the deadline for returning abducted children. It balances parental rights against child stability. It clarifies how courts handle concealed children under international law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-23 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 43-49 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 43-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 45-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 45-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 19-25 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 19-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 29-35 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 29-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 19-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-1 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-19 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 3-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 3-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 35-29 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 35-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-13 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-13
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 23-39 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 23-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 19-19 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 19-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 27-27
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.