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...
Seventh meeting of the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy
From 12 to 16 October 2020, the Experts’ Group on Parentage / Surrogacy met for the seventh time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 36 Experts, representing 22 States, 3 Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Group, whose work continuation was endorsed by the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) in 2020, is focusing on developing possible...
Third Meeting of the Experts’ Group on the Tourists and Visitors (ODR) Project
From 6 to 9 October 2020, the Experts’ Group on the Tourists and Visitors (ODR) Project met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 35 participants, representing 16 States and 5 international organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau. This was the third meeting of the Group, and was focused on the necessity, desirability, and feasibility of a soft law...
Service Convention enters into force for the Philippines
Today, 1 October 2020, the HCCH 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 Philippines, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 4 March 2020. The Service Convention currently has 78 Contracting Parties. The...
Belgium ratifies the Protection of Adults Convention
On 30 September 2020, Belgium deposited its instrument of ratification of the HCCH Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (Protection of Adults Convention). With the ratification of Belgium, the Protection of Adults Convention now has 13 Contracting Parties. The Convention will enter into force for Belgium on 1 January 2021. More information on this...
United Kingdom joins 2005 Choice of Court and 2007 Child Support Conventions
On 28 September 2020, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) and its instrument of ratification to the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child...
Explanatory Report on the HCCH Judgments Convention
Today, 22 September 2020, marks the approval of the Explanatory Report (ER) on the HCCH Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (HCCH Judgments Convention), prepared by the co-Rapporteurs, Professor Francisco Garcimartín and Professor Geneviève Saumier, with the assistance of the Permanent Bureau of...
Serbia signs the 2007 Child Support Convention
On 16 September 2020, Serbia signed the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and other Forms of Family Maintenance (“Child Support Convention”). The next step for the Child Support Convention to enter into force in Serbia is ratification. Serbia is a Member of the HCCH (since 2001) and currently party to 12 other HCCH...
Service Convention enters into force for Austria
On 12 September 2020, the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (HCCH Service Convention) entered into force for Austria following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 14 July 2020. The HCCH Service Convention currently has 78 Contracting Parties. Austria is a Member of the HCCH...
e-APP Progress in Five Contracting Parties
Despite the current limitations on cross-border mobility, public documents still require authentication for presentation abroad. The realities of the current global situation have led many authorities and jurisdictions to more seriously explore innovative ways to enhance their issuance and authentication procedures, in many cases offering remote and online solutions. For over a decade, the...