Information Note - Children deprived of their family environment due to the armed conflict in Ukraine

The Permanent Bureau of the HCCH, noting the situation currently unfolding in Ukraine, has published today an Information Note on the subject of Children deprived of their family environment due to the armed conflict in Ukraine: Cross-border protection and intercountry adoption. In an international armed conflict, many children become separated from their families, losing the critical protection...

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HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2021: Publication now available

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the launch of the post-event publication of HCCH a|Bridged - Edition 2021. Held online in December 2021, the latest edition of the HCCH a|Bridged series focused on contemporary issues relating to the application of the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (the 2005 Choice of Court Convention), including the promotion of party...

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CGAP 2022: New Members, ratifications and signatures

On 2 March 2022, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH welcomed El Salvador as the newest Member of the Organisation. It also witnessed Ecuador and the United States of America sign and/or ratify a number of HCCH Conventions and instruments. H.E. Ms Carmen María Gallardo Hernández, Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands,...

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Publication of the HCCH 2021 Annual Report

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of the HCCH 2021 Annual Report.Throughout the past year, the HCCH continued to advance its legislative work and to promote the effective operation of its Conventions, successfully convening the meetings of five Experts’ Groups and five Working Groups via videoconference. The Special Commission on the practical operation of the 1961...

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Launch of consultations on the Draft Practical Handbook on the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention

The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the launch of consultations on the draft Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention. Following preparatory work by the Permanent Bureau, and pursuant to the mandate issued by the Council on General Affairs and Policy, a Working Group was established in March 2021 to finalise the development of the draft Practical...

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Second meeting of the Working Group on Jurisdiction

From 14 to 18 February 2022, the Working Group on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation met via videoconference for the second time. The meeting was attended by 63 experts representing 26 Member States, one Member Regional Economic Integration Organisation and two Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Group made...

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The Philippines signs the Child Support Convention

Today, 18 February 2022, the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr J. Eduardo Malaya, signed, on behalf of his Government, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Child Support Convention). The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,...

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Meeting of the International Transfer of Maintenance Funds Experts’ Group

The International Transfer of Maintenance Funds Experts’ Group (ITMFEG) met from 7 to 9 February 2022 via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 33 experts representing 14 Member States, one Member Regional Economic Integration Organisation and one Observer, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau (PB) of the HCCH. Pursuant to the mandate issued by the Council on General Affairs...

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Meeting of the International Hague Network of Judges

From 11 to 20 January 2022, the International Hague Network of Judges (IHNJ) met via videoconference. The meetings were attended by 60 participants representing 35 States, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. During the meetings, participants provided updates on key developments within their respective jurisdictions; considered the possibility of expanding the scope of the...

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