2019 Judgments Convention enters into force for Montenegro
On 1 March 2026, 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 Montenegro following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 21 February 2025. At present, 33 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting Party for which the...
2019 Judgments Convention enters into force for Albania
On 1 March 2026, 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 Republic of Albania following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 13 February 2025. At present, 33 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting Party...
2007 Child Support Convention enters into force for El Salvador
On 7 February 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 El Salvador following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 6 February 2025. At present, 55 States and the European Union are bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention. More information on this...
Seventh Meeting of the International Transfer of Maintenance Funds Experts’ Group
From 2 to 4 February 2026, the seventh meeting of the International Transfer of Maintenance Funds Experts’ Group (ITMFEG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB). The meeting had close to 60 registered delegates and other experts, representing 26 HCCH Members and two Observers, in addition to members of the PB. Pursuant to its mandate (C&R No 30 of CGAP 2019), the ITMFEG...
Viet Nam accedes to the 1961 Apostille Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that, on 31 December 2025, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention). With the accession of Viet Nam, the 1961 Apostille Convention now has 129 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for Argentina
On 1 January 2026, 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 Argentine Republic following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 18 September 2025. The 1996 Child Protection...
1996 Child Protection Convention enters into force for the Republic of Moldova
On 1 January 2026, 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 Moldova following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 March 2025. The 1996 Child Protection Convention...
New e-Country Profiles for key HCCH Conventions now available
Third Post Adoption Services Workshop
In March 2023, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH endorsed the holding, both in States of origin and receiving States, of State-led virtual workshops on post-adoption services. Following this meeting, a Steering Committee for the organisation of virtual workshops on post-adoption services (Steering Committee) was established. The first virtual workshop was held in 2023,...
Book Launch - The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: A Commentary
On 11 December 2025, the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH hosted a book launch for the publication of The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: A Commentary, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. The book is co-authored by Professor Gilles Cuniberti (University of Luxembourg), Associate Professor Brooke Marshall (University of...