Andorra accedes to the 2019 Judgments Convention
On 13 May 2025, the Principality of Andorra deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). With the accession of Andorra, 33 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting Party for which the Convention has not entered into...
First meeting of the Working Group on the Study relating to Institutions Analogous to Trusts
In March 2025, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) mandated the establishment of a Working Group (WG) to review and complete the study on the application and interpretation of Article 2 of the 1985 Trusts Convention and on the institutions analogous to trusts, having due regard to any possible implications on non-Contracting Parties, and subject to available resources (see Conclusion...
1970 Evidence Convention enters into force for Bahrain
Today, 12 May 2025, the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Bahrain following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 13 March 2025 The 1970 Evidence Convention has 68 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Evidence Section of...
The Philippines accedes to the 1970 Evidence Convention
On 6 May 2025, the Republic of the Philippines deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention). With the accession of the Philippines, the 1970 Evidence Convention now has 68 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for the Philippines on 5 July 2025. More information on this...
WG on the completion of the Country Profile and draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 30 April 2025, the seventh meeting of the Working Group (WG) established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB). The meeting was attended by 21 delegates representing 12 HCCH Members, as well as by members of the PB. Pursuant to its mandate...
Fourth Meeting of the Working Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 7 to 11 April 2025, the Working Group (WG) on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the fourth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by 41 delegates and other experts, representing 25 HCCH Members and three Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG continued its consideration of draft provisions for one new instrument on...
Qatar applies to become a Member of the HCCH
Today, 10 April 2025, the State of Qatar applied to become a Member of the HCCH. At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, H.E. Dr Mutlaq Qahtani, Ambassador of Qatar, presented Qatar’s official request for Membership to Mr Rieks Boekholt, Senior Legal Officer at the Treaties Division of the depositary. Mr Boekholt then...
Conference “15 Years of the HCCH Washington Declaration: Progress and Perspectives on International Family Relocation”
From 2 to 4 April 2025, the conference “15 Years of the HCCH Washington Declaration: Progress and Perspectives on International Family Relocation” was held at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., United States of America. The conference was jointly organised by the Embassy of Canada, the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), and the HCCH. This conference took place...
1961 Apostille Convention enters into force for Bangladesh
On 30 March 2025, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 29 July 2024. The 1961 Apostille Convention has 127 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available...
Third Working Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital Currencies
From 24 to 26 March 2025, the Experts’ Group (EG) on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) held its third working meeting. The meeting was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. It was attended by 29 delegates and other experts, representing 12 HCCH Members and four Observers, as well as by members of the PB of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate (C&Ds No...