Council on General Affairs and Policy – Conclusions & Decisions now available!
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met online from 1 to 5 March 2021, with over 350 participants. The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP are now available in English and French. In terms of normative work, CGAP approved the continuation of both the Jurisdiction Project and Parentage Surrogacy Project; further work on a Practical Guide on access to justice for...
Publication of the 2020 Annual Report
The Permanent Bureau of the HCCH is pleased to announce the publication of the 2020 Annual Report. In a year of unprecedented challenges, the importance of private international law as the guiding star in an increasingly complex, interconnected world was as clear as ever. Throughout the year, the HCCH continued to explore areas for new legislative work and to promote the effective operation of...
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...
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...
Passing away of Professor Dr Alegría Borrás
It is with deep regret and sorrow that the Permanent Bureau (PB) announces the passing of Professor Dr Alegría Borrás on 14 December 2020. Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Borrás was deeply involved in the work of the HCCH. From 1986, Professor Borrás represented Spain as an expert and delegate at the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), Special...
HCCH-WIPO Guide now available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that the Guide entitled “When Private International Law Meets Intellectual Property – A Guide for Judges”, co-authored by Annabelle Bennett (Australia) and Sam Granata (Belgium), with the co-ordination of the Secretariats of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the HCCH, is now available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian,...
Publication of the Explanatory Report on the Judgments Convention
Following the approval of the Explanatory Report on the HCCH Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention) on 22 September 2020, the Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the official publication of the Explanatory Report prepared by the co-Rapporteurs Professors Francisco Garcimartín (Spain)...
40th Anniversary of the Child Abduction and Access to Justice Conventions
On 25 October 2020, two HCCH Conventions celebrate their respective 40th anniversaries, following adoption at the Fourteenth Session: the 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the 1980 Access to Justice Convention. The Child Abduction Convention has become one of the most visible HCCH Conventions since its entry into force on 1 December 1983. The Convention aims to protect children from the harmful...
Nicaragua becomes 86th Member of the HCCH
Today, 21 October 2020, the Republic of Nicaragua deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute, thus becoming the 86th Member of the HCCH. Due to restrictions currently imposed as a result of the pandemic, the deposit of the instrument could unfortunately not take place in person. While there was therefore no opportunity to celebrate the Membership with the usual ceremony at the Ministry...