Child Support Convention enters into force for Serbia
Today, 1 February 2021, the HCCH 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 the Republic of Serbia, following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 23 October 2020. At present, 41 States and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. More...
Service Convention enters into force for the Marshall Islands
Today, 1 February 2021, the 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 Republic of the Marshall Islands, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 29 July 2020. The Service Convention has 78 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is...
Now available in all EU languages: Practical Handbook on 2007 Child Support Convention, Protocol, and 2009 EU Regulation
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of translations, in all European Union (EU) languages, of the Practical Handbook for Competent Authorities on the 2007 Child Support Convention, the 2007 Maintenance Obligations Protocol, and the 2009 EU Maintenance Regulation. The Handbook, originally published in English, French, and Romanian, was jointly developed by the HCCH, the...
Conclusions of the meeting of the Applicable Law Working Group
From 22 to 27 January 2021, the Applicable Law Working Group (ALWG) on the Protocol of 23 November 2007 on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations (Maintenance Obligations Protocol) met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 34 participants representing 16 Members, and by members of the Permanent Bureau. Pursuant to the 2020 mandate of the Council on General Affairs and Policy,...
Namibia becomes 87th Member of the HCCH
Today, 19 January 2021, the Republic of Namibia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute, thus becoming the 87th Member of the HCCH. Namibia has been an HCCH Connected State since 2000 and is currently a Contracting Party to the Apostille and Adoption Conventions. Namibia is the eighth African State to become a Member of the HCCH and its Membership is another important step toward...
Singapore accedes to the Apostille Convention
Today, 18 January 2021, the Republic of Singapore deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). On behalf of the Embassy of Singapore, Minister-Counsellor Davinia Aziz deposited the instrument and is pictured with Mr Rieks Boekholt, Legal Officer, representing the...
Protection of Adults Convention enters into force for Belgium
On 1 January 2021, the HCCH Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (Protection of Adults Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Belgium, following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 30 September 2020. The Protection of Adults Convention has 13 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Protection of Adults...
Continuing application of the Choice of Court Convention and Child Support Convention for the United Kingdom
After the conclusion of the transition period following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, the United Kingdom continues to be bound by the HCCH Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (Choice of Court Convention) and the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other...
4th Edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Evidence Convention
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Evidence Convention, the Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce the publication of the 4th Edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Evidence Convention. This commemorative edition of the Practical Handbook includes light updates on the latest developments in domestic and international legal instruments and case law. It outlines...
Professor William R. Duncan receives Ireland's Presidential Distinguished Service Award
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that former Deputy Secretary General of the HCCH, Professor William Duncan, was named as one of 14 honourees to receive the prestigious Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. Professor Duncan received the award in the category of “Peace, Reconciliation, and Development”, in recognition of his years of dedication to...