Meeting of the Experts’ Group on the e-APP and New Technologies
The Experts’ Group on the e-APP and New Technologies met from 3 to 6 May 2021 via videoconference. The meeting was attended by over 100 participants representing 28 Members, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group was mandated by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) to explore whether broader use of new technologies may further enhance the electronic Apostille Programme...
New Guide for International Commercial Contracts
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that the Legal Guide to Uniform Instruments in the Area of International Commercial Contracts, with a Focus on Sales (Legal Guide), a joint publication of the Secretariats of UNCITRAL, UNIDROIT and the HCCH, has been officially launched today (video announcement). The Legal Guide, which was approved by each of the three Organisations in the course of...
Council on General Affairs and Policy – Conclusions & Decisions now available!
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met online from 1 to 5 March 2021, with over 350 participants. The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP are now available in English and French. In terms of normative work, CGAP approved the continuation of both the Jurisdiction Project and Parentage Surrogacy Project; further work on a Practical Guide on access to justice for...
CGAP 2021: New Members, requests and signatures
On 3 March 2021, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH witnessed Thailand become the 88th Member of the HCCH, El Salvador apply for membership, and Israel sign two HCCH Conventions. During the ceremony, Thailand deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute of the HCCH, thus becoming the 88th Member of the HCCH. Thailand was represented by H.E. Ms Eksiri Pintaruchi,...
Publication of the 2020 Annual Report
The Permanent Bureau of the HCCH is pleased to announce the publication of the 2020 Annual Report. In a year of unprecedented challenges, the importance of private international law as the guiding star in an increasingly complex, interconnected world was as clear as ever. Throughout the year, the HCCH continued to explore areas for new legislative work and to promote the effective operation of...
Eighth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 15 to 17 February 2021, the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the eighth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 29 Experts representing 22 Member States and one Regional Economic Integration Organisation, two Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The...
Meeting of the Experts’ Group on International Transfer of Maintenance Funds
From 8 to 11 February 2021, the Experts’ Group on International Transfer of Maintenance Funds met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 46 participants representing 17 Members, one Observer, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group continued its work discussing good practices and identifying possible future improvements in relation to the cross-border transfer of child...
Fifth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction
From 1 to 5 February 2021, the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction met for the fifth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 48 experts representing 20 States, one Regional Economic Integration Organisation, two Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group was mandated by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) to discuss matters relating to...
Adoption Convention enters into force for Saint Kitts and Nevis
Today, 1 February 2021, the HCCH Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Adoption Convention) entered into force for Saint Kitts and Nevis, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 26 October 2020. The Adoption Convention has 103 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Adoption...
Child Support Convention enters into force for Serbia
Today, 1 February 2021, the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Child Support Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Serbia, following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 23 October 2020. At present, 41 States and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. More...