13th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP)
On 21 and 22 October 2024, the 13th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Forum was the first to be held in Central Asia and was jointly organised by the HCCH, the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, and the Maqsut Narikbayev University (see Conclusion and Decision No 51 of CGAP 2024). The 13th e-APP Forum was conducted in a hybrid...
Fifth 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
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) approved the establishment of a Working Group (WG) to first complete the Country Profile for the 1996 Child Protection Convention and then to progress work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form under the 1996 Child Protection Convention (see Conclusion and Decisions Nos 23-24 of CGAP 2024). The fifth meeting of...
Second Working Meeting of the Digital Tokens Project
The second working meeting of the Digital Tokens Project was held in hybrid format from 7 to 8 October 2024, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 41 participants, identified to the PB by 14 HCCH Members and seven Observers, as well as by members of the PB. During the meeting, participants discussed intersessional submissions in response to the project...
Fifth Conference on the HCCH Children’s Conventions as Bridges between Civil / Common Law and Islamic Law (Malta V)
From 24 to 27 September 2024, the HCCH and the Government of Malta co-hosted the Fifth Conference on the HCCH Children’s Conventions as Bridges between Civil / Common Law and Islamic Law (Malta V) (see Conclusion and Decision No 30 of CGAP 2024). The conference was organised within the framework of the Malta Process, initiated by the HCCH in 2004 to facilitate dialogue and promote...
Update on the e-APP
Designed to facilitate the authentication of public documents for use abroad, the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP) has become an integral part of the operation of the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). The e-APP has two components, which can be implemented separately or together: The...
13th International Forum on the e-APP: Registration now open!
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that registration is now open for participation in the 13th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP), which will take place on Monday 21 October and Tuesday 22 October 2024 in Astana, Kazakhstan. To be held for the first time in Central Asia, the Forum will be jointly organised by the HCCH, the Ministry...
Meeting of the Special Commission (SC) on the Practical Operation of the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions
From 2 to 5 July 2024, the Meeting of the SC on the Practical Operation of the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence, and 1980 Access to Justice Conventions (Conventions) was held in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 260 delegates and other experts, in person and online, representing HCCH Members, non-Member Contracting Parties, and Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau (PB). It was...
Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention
From 18 to 21 June 2024, the HCCH co-hosted the Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention with the Government of South Africa and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Child Law (see Conclusion and Decision No 31 of CGAP 2024). With about 100 attendees joining in person and a total of over 340 connecting online from around the...
Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention
From 18 to 21 June 2024, the HCCH will hold a Forum on domestic violence and the related operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention in Sandton, South Africa, co-hosted with the Government of South Africa and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Child Law (see Conclusion and Decision No 31 of CGAP 2024). The Forum will bring together relevant parties with...
First Working Meeting of the Digital Tokens Project
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) decided to commence the Digital Tokens Project (see Conclusion & Decision No 12). Under this project, the Permanent Bureau (PB), in partnership with relevant subject-matter experts and Observers, is studying the private international law issues relating to digital tokens. Following a kick-off meeting on 15 May 2024, where...