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...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group on the Child Support Convention
From 14 to 17 December 2020, the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) on the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 60 participants representing 20 Members, one Observer, and members of the Permanent Bureau. As recommended by...
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,...
HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020: Livestream
Today, 2 December 2020, at 14:15 CET, HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020 will begin broadcasting live from the official event website. Participants who completed the pre-event registration will be able to log in to interact with speakers and other participants during the event. Non-registered participants will be able to follow the event via the livestream. The focus of HCCH a|Bridged –...
HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2019: Publication now available!
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the launch of the post-event publication of the inaugural HCCH a|Bridged event. The publication is now available for download (in English only). The focus of HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2019 was the Service Convention in the Era of Electronic and Information Technology. Speakers and participants from around the world came together in The Hague and...
Fourth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction
From 16 to 19 November 2020, the Experts’ Group on Jurisdiction met for the fourth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 41 experts representing 17 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...
Vice President of the Republic of Ecuador visits the Permanent Bureau
Today, 12 November 2020, Secretary General Dr Christophe Bernasconi had the honour of welcoming H.E. Ms María Alejandra Muñoz Seminario, Vice President of the Republic of Ecuador, to the Permanent Bureau to celebrate the official release of the Handbook on National and Intercountry Adoption Management Procedures (Manual de procesos de gestion de las adopciones nacionales e...
Saint Kitts and Nevis accedes to the Adoption Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that on 26 October 2020, Saint Kitts and Nevis deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Adoption Convention). With the accession of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Adoption Convention now has 103 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for...