First meeting of the Experts’ Group on Carbon Markets
In March 2025, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) mandated the establishment of an Experts’ Group (EG) to study the private international law issues arising from carbon markets, as described in Prel. Doc. No 6 of November 2024 (see Conclusion and Decision No 18 of CGAP 2025). From 13 to 15 May 2025, the EG on Carbon Markets met for the first time. The meeting, held in hybrid...
Fourth Global Meeting of the International Hague Network of Judges
From 19 to 21 May 2025, the Fourth Global Meeting of the International Hague Network of Judges (IHNJ) was held in Singapore, co-hosted by the Singapore Family Justice Courts and the HCCH. It was attended by over 50 judges representing 34 HCCH Members. The meeting consisted of 18 sessions, bringing together experts from over 20 States. Following the opening remarks, the first session set the stage...
WG on the completion of the Country Profile and draft Cooperation Request Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 14 May 2025, the eighth meeting of the Working Group (WG) established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB). The meeting was attended by 16 delegates representing 10 HCCH Members, as well as by members of the PB. Pursuant to its mandate (C&Ds No 23-24...
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...