2.2 Bill and Linda - a family abduction scenario
Supreme Court of Canada sets precedent in ruling on child-abduction cases
The Scenario
A small town BC couple, who we will call Linda and Bill, are having some family difficulties. They have two children who are seven and ten.
Linda takes the children on a road trip to see her parents in Winnipeg during the summer but never returns. Her parents know where the three are but will not say.
Bill hires an investigator and finds that his family are living under assumed names in Toronto. Three years have now passed. Linda claims that Bill was abusive towards her and the children and that none of them want to return. They have settled into Toronto, she is in a new relationship and everyone is doing well.
Bill claims that he was never abusive but that Linda was tired of small town life and the fact that he made little money.
Your task
Write a dialogue between Bill and his lawyer with Bill explaining what he thinks will be a fair outcome. Then write the response from the lawyer stating what he thinks the likely outcome will be according to the law and to precedents established. After their initial statements, Bill and his lawyer will go back and forth a few times clarifying how they can achieve a fair and just settlement for all parties.
In your dialogue, you must cite the course readings in this section, particularly the section on abduction, and must quote from the article above.
Your dialogue will run about one to one and a half pages.
You are not required to do any research outside of the course, but if you do, you must cite your sources.
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