Sixth Meeting of the Working Group established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention
On 19 March 2025, the sixth 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) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 21 delegates representing 12 HCCH Members, as well as by members of the PB. During the...
Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Asia
From 11 to 13 March 2025, the Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Asia (Regional Workshop) was held in Manila (Philippines). It was attended by 72 participants representing eight Contracting Parties to the 1993 Adoption Convention, two non-Contracting Parties, one intergovernmental organisation, and one...
Bahrain accedes to the 1970 Evidence and 2005 Choice of Court Conventions
The Permanent Bureau has been notified that, on 13 March 2025, the Kingdom of Bahrain deposited its instruments of accession to the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention) and to the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention). With the accession of Bahrain, the 1970...
CGAP 2025 — Conclusions & Decisions now available!
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met from 4 to 7 March 2025. The meeting was attended by over 491 participants, representing 75 HCCH Members, four non-Member States, five intergovernmental organisations, nine international non-governmental organisations, and members of the Permanent Bureau (PB). The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP are now available in...
CGAP 2025 — New Members, ratifications, and signatures
On 5 March 2025, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH welcomed the Republic of Rwanda as a new Member of the Organisation. It also witnessed the Republic of Guatemala apply for Membership, the Republic of Costa Rica sign the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention), and the Republic of Colombia join the Convention of 23...
Publication of the HCCH 2024 Annual Report
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of the HCCH 2024 Annual Report. Throughout the past year, the HCCH continued to advance its legislative work and to promote the effective operation of its Conventions, successfully convening the meetings of two Experts’ Group, eight Working Groups, and one Special Commission, the latter tasked with reviewing the practical operation...
2005 Choice of Court Convention enters into force for North Macedonia
On 1 March 2025, the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) entered into force for the Republic of North Macedonia following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 21 November 2024. At present, 36 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. More information on this Convention is available on the...
Montenegro ratifies the 2019 Judgments Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been notified that, on 21 February 2025, Montenegro deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). With the ratification of Montenegro, 32 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting Party for...
Albania ratifies the 2019 Judgments Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been notified that, on 13 February 2025, the Republic of Albania deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). With the ratification of Albania, 31 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting...
Eighth Meeting of the Working Group on Jurisdiction
From 10 to 14 February 2025, the Working Group (WG) on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation met for the eighth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by 67 delegates and other experts, representing 23 HCCH Members and 2 Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG made further...