Official launching by Mrs Alegría Borrás of the Spanish section of the HCCH website
In 1998, the website of the Hague Conference was created in the Organisation's official languages, French and English. To meet the growing demand within the international community to access this information in other languages, a section called "Other languages" was created. This new section contains links to translations in several languages of the Hague Conventions and other documents...
European Community signs Hague Choice of Court Convention
During the Council on General Affairs, the Hague Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements was signed by the European Community. As the Czech Republic is presiding the European Union, the Czech Minister of Justice, H.E. Mr Jirí Pospíšil, signed the Convention on behalf of the European Community. Since Mexico had already acceded in 2007, only...
Switzerland ratifies 1996 and 2000 Hague Conventions
On Friday, 27 March 2009, Switzerland deposited the instruments of ratification of the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children and the Hague Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults. Both Conventions will enter...
Third Malta Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues
Third Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues, hosted by the Government of Malta in collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law St. Julian’s (Malta), 24-26 March 2009 Purpose of the Conference The Conference continued the process of dialogue that began with the first (14-17 March 2004) and second (19-22 March 2006) Malta Conferences,...
International Adoption Round Table in Kyiv
International Round Table "Intercountry Adoption in Ukraine: International Law Implementation Issues" On 6 and 7 November 2008, an international Round Table was co-organised in Kyiv by the Ministry of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sports (State Department for Adoption and Protection of Children Rights) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Project Co-ordinator in...
10th anniversary of International Network of Judges for International Child Protection
A small celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Hague Network of Judges was held in Brussels on Friday 16 January 2009. The creation of an international network of judges for international child protection was first proposed at the 1998 De Ruwenberg Seminar for Judges on the international protection of children. The International Hague Network of Judges facilitates...
Joint EC-HCCH Conference on Direct Judicial Communications on Family Law Matters and the Development of Judicial Networks
On 15-16 January 2009, judges and experts from more than 50 countries and representatives from leading international judges associations met in Brussels (Belgium), under the auspices of the European Commission and the Hague Conference, to discuss direct judicial communications on family law matters and the development of judicial networks. Read the Recommendations and Conclusions of...
US signs 2005 Choice of Court Convention
On Monday 19 January 2009, the Hague Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements received its first signature. Mr John B. Bellinger III, Legal Adviser to the US Secretary of State, signed the instrument of signature on behalf of the United States of America. Ms Karen K Johnson, Deputy Legal Counselor of the US Embassy at The Hague, as well as HCCH Secretary General Hans van Loon and...
Publication of Guide on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children
Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of General Principles and Guide to Good Practice on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children. The purpose of this Guide is to draw attention to certain general considerations and special features which need to be borne in mind by States and their authorities when formulating policies in respect...
Dominican Republic accedes to Hague Apostille Convention
On Friday, 12 December 2008, the Dominican Republic deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the "Apostille Convention"). With this new accession, 95 countries are currently Contracting States to this Treaty. For information on the Competent Authority designated by the...