US signs 2005 Choice of Court Convention
On Monday 19 January 2009, the Hague Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements received its first signature. Mr John B. Bellinger III, Legal Adviser to the US Secretary of State, signed the instrument of signature on behalf of the United States of America. Ms Karen K Johnson, Deputy Legal Counselor of the US Embassy at The Hague, as well as HCCH Secretary General Hans van Loon and...
Publication of Guide on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children
Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of General Principles and Guide to Good Practice on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children. The purpose of this Guide is to draw attention to certain general considerations and special features which need to be borne in mind by States and their authorities when formulating policies in respect...
Dominican Republic accedes to Hague Apostille Convention
On Friday, 12 December 2008, the Dominican Republic deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the "Apostille Convention"). With this new accession, 95 countries are currently Contracting States to this Treaty. For information on the Competent Authority designated by the...
First Electronic Apostille in Europe
Another important step for the Electronic Apostille Pilot Program (e-APP) The Superior Court of Murcia (Spain) recently issued the first electronic Apostille (e-Apostille) in Europe. This Apostille, issued within the framework of an international adoption procedure, is perfectly consistent with the model proposed under the e-APP. Please click here to read the press release from...
Italy signs Protection of Adults Convention
On Friday, 31 October 2008, Italy became the eleventh State to sign the Hague Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults. ...
Croatia signs 1996 Convention
On Thursday, 30 October 2008, the Republic of Croatia signed the Hague 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. This Convention is currently in force for fifteen States and has been signed by twenty more....
Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference
International Co-operation through Hague Conventions in the Asia Pacific The Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference, jointly organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hague Conference on Private International Law, was held in Hong Kong from 24 to 26 September 2008. Among the topics discussed were the latest work of the Hague Conference and the...
115th Anniversary HCCH - Hague Protection of Adults Convention soon to enter into force
On Thursday 18 September 2008, the 115th anniversary of the Hague Conference on Private International Law was celebrated in the Academy Building, on the grounds of the Peace Palace, in The Hague. During the celebration, the Hague Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults received its third ratification. Consequently, the Convention has entered into force on...
First Guide to Good Practice for the 1993 Hague Adoption Convention published
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the official publication of the 1st Guide to Good Practice for the 1993 Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention: The Implementation and Operation of the 1993 Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention: A Guide to Good Practice. A copy of the new Guide will be sent to all National Organs, Central Authorities and accredited bodies in September in either English...
Third Russian Seminar held in Ekaterinburg
On 15 and 16 May 2008, a seminar on the implementation of the Hague Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters and the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters was held in Ekaterinburg. This seminar was the third in a series of Russian seminars: the...