Toolkit for the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention in Times of COVID-19

Following the publication of the HCCH COVID-19 Toolkit, the Permanent Bureau has prepared a Toolkit for the effective application of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention in times of COVID-19. This focused Toolkit presents key aspects and specific HCCH resources relevant in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 situation in the context of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention. Recalling...

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First Anniversary of the Judgments Convention

Today marks the first anniversary of the HCCH 2019 Judgments Convention, following its adoption at the Twenty-Second Session of the HCCH on 2 July 2019. Negotiated by over 400 delegates from around the world, the Convention deals with the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in civil or commercial matters. The negotiations which led to the adoption of the Judgments Convention are...

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Apostille Convention enters into force for Palau

On 23 June 2020, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for Palau following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 17 October 2019. The Apostille Convention currently has 118 Contracting Parties. Palau is not a Member of the HCCH yet, and this is the first HCCH Convention that Palau...

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HCCH COVID-19 Toolkit

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to follow the recent video message of the Secretary General, the Permanent Bureau (PB) has developed a Toolkit. This COVID-19 Toolkit compiles references to specific HCCH resources and publications which are particularly relevant in light of the current global situation. It is designed to assist users of the HCCH Conventions and other instruments in these...

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The Evidence Convention enters into force for Viet Nam

On 3 May 2020, the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters entered into force for Viet Nam following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 4 March 2020. The Evidence Convention currently has 63 Contracting Parties. Viet Nam is a Member of the HCCH (since 2013) and currently party to three other Conventions. More information is...

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Child Protection Convention enters into force for Barbados

On 1 May 2020, the 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 entered into force for Barbados, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 July 2019. The 1996 Child Protection Convention currently has 52 Contracting Parties. While Barbados...

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2007 Child Support Convention enters into force for Nicaragua

On 18 April 2020, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and other Forms of Family Maintenance (“Child Support Convention”) enters into force for Nicaragua, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 8 March 2019. The 2007 Child Support Convention currently has 41 Contracting Parties (incl. REIOs and States bound as a result of...

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Guide on Use of Video-Link under Evidence Convention

The Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce that the Guide to Good Practice on the Use of Video-Link under the 1970 Evidence Convention has been published in English and French. An electronic version is available for download on the Evidence Section of the HCCH website. This Guide to Good Practice comes at a timely moment in which information technology has proven to be an essential tool....

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Adoption Convention enters into force for the Republic of the Congo

On 1 April 2020, the Convention of 29 May 1993 on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (hereinafter the “Adoption Convention”) entered into force for the Republic of the Congo, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 December 2019. The Adoption Convention currently has 102 Contracting Parties.  The...

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