Access to Justice Section

The Convention of 25 October 1980 on International Access to Justice (HCCH 1980 Access to Justice Convention) ensures that nationals or habitual residents of a Contracting Party to the Convention have access to justice within all the Contracting Parties to the Convention on a non-discriminatory basis. It provides for non-discrimination with respect to legal aid, including the provision of legal advice, security for costs, copies of entries and decisions, and physical detention and safe-conduct. Its purpose is not to harmonise domestic laws, but to ensure that the mere status as an alien or the absence of residence or domicile in a Contracting Party are not grounds for discrimination with regard to access to justice.

This specialised section contains a range of information on the Convention, including its full text, current status, and a list of authorities per Contracting Party, amongst others.

Explanatory documents:

• Explanatory Report
• Mandatory Model Form

Special Commissions:

• 2024: Conclusions & Recommendations
• 2014: Conclusions & Recommendations
• 2009: Conclusions & Recommendations

Questionnaires & Responses:

• All Questionnaires relating to the Access to Justice Convention, and responses

Bibliography