Publication of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention

The Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce the publication of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention (Practical Handbook). The Practical Handbook is intended to assist current and prospective Contracting Parties to the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention by providing practical guidance on the implementation and operation of the Convention, which...

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Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group

On 11 December 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 43 delegates and other experts, representing 19 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. The ACWG continued discussing and finalising updates to the Country Profile on the 2007 Child Support...

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Belize accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention

Today, 12 December 2024, Belize deposited its instrument of accession to 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). With the accession of Belize, the Convention now has 56 Contracting Parties. It will enter into...

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Meetings of the Working Groups on the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles for the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions

In October and November 2024, the Working Group (WG) on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1965 Service Convention (Service WG) and the WG on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1970 Evidence Convention (Evidence WG) met online to finalise the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles in light of the discussions held at the July 2024 meeting of the Special Commission...

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Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group

On 27 November 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 43 delegates and other experts, representing 21 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. The ACWG continued discussing and finalising updates to the Country Profile on the 2007 Child Support...

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Informal brainstorming session on future meetings of the Special Commission on the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions

From 18 to 21 November 2024, an informal brainstorming session on future meetings of the Special Commission (SC) on the 1980 Child Abduction and 1996 Child Protection Conventions was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. It was attended by over 80 participants representing 29 Members, as well as by members of the PB. As mandated by the Council on General Affairs and...

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Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Africa

From 13 to 15 November 2024, the Regional Workshop on Intercountry Adoption: Sharing Experiences on the Effective Implementation of the 1993 Adoption Convention in Africa (Regional Workshop) was held in Lomé (Togo). It was attended by approximately 60 participants representing 11 Contracting Parties to the 1993 Adoption Convention, one non-Contracting Party, one intergovernmental...

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North Macedonia ratifies the 2005 Choice of Court Convention

Today, 21 November 2024, the Republic of North Macedonia deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention). With the ratification of North Macedonia, 36 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. The Convention will enter into force for North Macedonia on 1 March 2025....

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