Publication of the Explanatory Report on the Judgments Convention
Following the approval of the Explanatory Report on the HCCH Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention) on 22 September 2020, the Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the official publication of the Explanatory Report prepared by the co-Rapporteurs Professors Francisco Garcimartín (Spain)...
Save the Date: HCCH a|Bridged Edition 2020
HCCH a|Bridged Edition 2020 will be held online on 2 December 2020, organised by the HCCH, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and the German Federal Office of Justice, as part of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event will celebrate the 50th “Golden” Anniversary of the HCCH Convention of 18 March 1970 on the...
40th Anniversary of the Child Abduction and Access to Justice Conventions
On 25 October 2020, two HCCH Conventions celebrate their respective 40th anniversaries, following adoption at the Fourteenth Session: the 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the 1980 Access to Justice Convention. The Child Abduction Convention has become one of the most visible HCCH Conventions since its entry into force on 1 December 1983. The Convention aims to protect children from the harmful...
Serbia ratifies the Child Support Convention
Today, 23 October 2020, the Republic of Serbia deposited its instrument of ratification of the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Child Support Convention). With the ratification of Serbia, 41 States and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. It will enter into force for Serbia on 1...
Nicaragua becomes 86th Member of the HCCH
Today, 21 October 2020, the Republic of Nicaragua deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute, thus becoming the 86th Member of the HCCH. Due to restrictions currently imposed as a result of the pandemic, the deposit of the instrument could unfortunately not take place in person. While there was therefore no opportunity to celebrate the Membership with the usual ceremony at the Ministry...
Seventh meeting of the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 12 to 16 October 2020, the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the seventh time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 36 Experts, representing 22 States, 3 Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group, whose work continuation was endorsed by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) in 2020, is focusing on developing possible...
Third Meeting of the Experts’ Group on the Tourists and Visitors (ODR) Project
From 6 to 9 October 2020, the Experts’ Group on the Tourists and Visitors (ODR) Project met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 35 participants, representing 16 States and 5 international organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau. This was the third meeting of the Group, and was focused on the necessity, desirability, and feasibility of a soft law...
Service Convention enters into force for the Philippines
Today, 1 October 2020, the HCCH Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (Service Convention) entered into force for the Philippines, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 4 March 2020. The Service Convention currently has 78 Contracting Parties. The...
Belgium ratifies the Protection of Adults Convention
On 30 September 2020, Belgium deposited its instrument of ratification of the HCCH Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (Protection of Adults Convention). With the ratification of Belgium, the Protection of Adults Convention now has 13 Contracting Parties. The Convention will enter into force for Belgium on 1 January 2021. More information on this...
United Kingdom joins 2005 Choice of Court and 2007 Child Support Conventions
On 28 September 2020, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) and its instrument of ratification to the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child...