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...
Jamaica accedes to the Apostille Convention
On 2 November 2020, Jamaica deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). With the accession of Jamaica, the Apostille Convention now has 119 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Jamaica on 3 July 2021. More information on this Convention is available on...
HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020: Registration now open!
The Permanent Bureau and the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union are pleased to announce that registration is now open for HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020, which will mark the golden anniversary of the HCCH Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (Evidence Convention). The event will be hosted entirely online, on the...
Costa Rica accedes to the Child Protection Convention
On 29 October 2020, the Republic of Costa Rica deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH 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 (Child Protection Convention). With the accession of Costa Rica, the Child Protection Convention now has 53...
Publication of the Explanatory Report on the Judgments Convention
Following the approval of the Explanatory Report on the HCCH Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention) on 22 September 2020, the Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the official publication of the Explanatory Report prepared by the co-Rapporteurs Professors Francisco Garcimartín (Spain)...
Save the Date: HCCH a|Bridged Edition 2020
HCCH a|Bridged Edition 2020 will be held online on 2 December 2020, organised by the HCCH, in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and the German Federal Office of Justice, as part of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event will celebrate the 50th “Golden” Anniversary of the HCCH Convention of 18 March 1970 on the...
40th Anniversary of the Child Abduction and Access to Justice Conventions
On 25 October 2020, two HCCH Conventions celebrate their respective 40th anniversaries, following adoption at the Fourteenth Session: the 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the 1980 Access to Justice Convention. The Child Abduction Convention has become one of the most visible HCCH Conventions since its entry into force on 1 December 1983. The Convention aims to protect children from the harmful...
Serbia ratifies the Child Support Convention
Today, 23 October 2020, the Republic of Serbia deposited its instrument of ratification of the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Child Support Convention). With the ratification of Serbia, 41 States and the European Union are bound by the Child Support Convention. It will enter into force for Serbia on 1...