Child Support Convention enters into force for New Zealand

Today, 1 November 2021, the 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 New Zealand following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 23 July 2021. At present, 42 states and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. More information on this...

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HCCH|Approach Global Event – Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Child Protection Convention

On 19 October 2021, the Permanent Bureau had the pleasure of hosting the HCCH|Approach Global Event. Held online in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention, the event featured a series of lectures by global experts, culminating in a live panel discussion by a distinguished group of representatives from government, practice and academia. A wide range of...

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First Meeting of the Working Group on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation

From 11 to 15 October 2021, the Working Group on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation met for the first time. The meeting, held via videoconference, was attended by over 60 participants representing 28 HCCH Members and two Observers, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Group, under the chairmanship of Professor Keisuke Takeshita...

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Meeting of the Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the Apostille Convention

From 5 to 8 October 2021, the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille Convention met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by over 350 delegates, representing HCCH Members, non‑Member Contracting Parties, and Observers from non‑Member States, intergovernmental and international non‑governmental organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau. The first day...

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Indonesia accedes to the Apostille Convention on its 60th Anniversary

Today, 5 October 2021, the Republic of Indonesia deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The ceremony was held on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Convention as part of the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille...

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12th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme

Today, 4 October 2021, the 12th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP Forum) was held via videoconference. The e-APP Forum convenes global experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and best practices in relation to the e‑APP. The 12th International Forum featured presentations from 14 Contracting Parties to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing...

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Meeting of the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption

From 28 to 30 September 2021, the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 57 participants representing 25 States, four Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Group has been working on developing a Toolkit aimed at preventing and addressing illicit practices in intercountry...

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Now available in 23 EU languages: Guide to Good Practice under the Child Abduction Convention: Part VI – Article 13(1)(b)

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of 19 new translations of the Guide to Good Practice under the Child Abduction Convention: Part VI – Article 13(1)(b). With these new translations, the Guide to Good Practice is now available in 23 European Union (EU) languages. The Guide, originally published in English and French, was developed by the Permanent Bureau of the...

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iSupport - New successful EU Action Grant application

The Permanent Bureau of the HCCH is pleased to announce a new successful EU Action Grant application for iSupport. This new project will be called iSupport ITMF (International Transfer of Maintenance Funds), as it will aim at establishing a link between the iSupport software and bank accounts held by Central Authorities. The project will rely on guidance provided by the Experts’ Group on...

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