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...

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Fifth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction

From 1 to 5 February 2021, the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction met for the fifth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 48 experts representing 20 States, one Regional Economic Integration Organisation, two Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group was mandated by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) to discuss matters relating to...

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Adoption Convention enters into force for Saint Kitts and Nevis

Today, 1 February 2021, the HCCH Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Adoption Convention) entered into force for Saint Kitts and Nevis, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 26 October 2020. The Adoption Convention has 103 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Adoption...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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