Number of cases on adoption of Russian children by foreigners tried in courts down 50% in 2013 - Supreme Court head
MOSCOW. Feb 11 (Interfax) - In 2013 Russian courts tried half the number of cases on adoption of children by foreign citizens in comparison with 2012, Russian Supreme Court Chairman Vyacheslav Lebedev said.
The Russian Supreme Court studied the practice of trying adoption cases annually, Lebedev said when speaking at a meeting with the chairpersons of Russian regional supreme courts. The number of cases considered in 2013 amounted to 17,000, while international adoption cases decreased to 1,200, which is 50% down year-on-year, he said.
"When trying these cases, courts are obliged to find out what measures have been taken to find Russian families for these children. Courts have to check the training of the foreign adoptive parent to become the parent of a Russian child and the consent of the child. The court also should establish the circumstances allowing for the comprehensive physical, psychological, spiritual and moral development of the adopted child," Lebedev said.
In 2014 the Supreme Court will analyze the practice of collecting child support, Lebedev said.
It is necessary to create "child-friendly justice," in particular court protection should be aimed at restoring the rights of children to get alimony in full, Lebedev said. In 2013 courts had 300,000 cases on collecting alimony to support a child.
"The court practice on issues of collecting alimony for child support will be analyzed this year," Lebedev said.
As to the issue of social orphanages, courts should assume when trying cases on terminating parental rights that "this measure of parental liability is the last resort," Lebedev said.
"It is necessary to take every measure in order to keep a child with his or her birth family," Lebedev said.