The Republic of Moldova accedes to the 1970 Evidence Convention
On 24 July 2025, the Republic of Moldova deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention). At the ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, depositary of the HCCH Conventions, the Republic of Moldova was represented by H.E. Mr Veaceslav Dobinda, Ambassador...
Publication of the fifth editions of the Practical Handbooks on the Operation of the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions
The Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH is pleased to announce the publication of the fifth editions of the Practical Handbooks on the Operation of the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions. The 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions establish uniform frameworks of cooperation mechanisms to streamline, respectively, the transmission of documents for service abroad and the taking of...
First meeting of the Working Group dedicated to the Model Forms for Chapter II of the 1970 Evidence Convention
In March 2025, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) approved the establishment of a Working Group (WG) comprised of delegates and other experts from a variety of geographical regions to finalise the Model Forms pertaining to Chapter II of the 1970 Evidence Convention (see Conclusion and Decision No 50 of CGAP 2025). The first meeting of the WG was held online on 11 July 2025, hosted...
Opening of the premises of the Regional Office for Africa
On 9 July 2025, the premises of the HCCH’s Regional Office for Africa, hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco, were officially opened in Rabat. The establishment of the Regional Office for Africa was approved by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH during its March 2025 meeting, following a proposal submitted by the Government of Morocco. On 2 June 2025, H.E. Mr...
INCADAT — New sponsors and launch of notification service
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce several notable developments with regard to the HCCH’s International Child Abduction Database (INCADAT), the only global, free legal database on international child abduction law. Offered as part of the HCCH’s post-Convention work, INCADAT facilitates the research of cases within the scope of application of the 1980 Child Abduction...
1970 Evidence Convention enters into force for the Philippines
On 5 July 2025, the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention) entered into force for the Republic of the Philippines following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 6 May 2025 The 1970 Evidence Convention has 68 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Evidence Section of...
2005 Choice of Court Convention enters into force for Bahrain
On 1 July 2025, the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Bahrain following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 13 March 2025. At present, 37 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. More information on this Convention is available on the Choice of Court...
2007 Child Support Convention enters into force for Colombia
On 1 July 2025, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Colombia following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 5 March 2025. At present, 55 States and the European Union are bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention. More information...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for El Salvador
On 1 July 2025, 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention) entered into force for the Republic of El Salvador following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 10 September 2024. The 1996 Child Protection...
2019 Judgments Convention enters into force for the United Kingdom
On 1 July 2025, the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention) entered into force for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 27 June 2024. At present, 33 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments...