Marshall Islands accedes to the Service Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that on 29 July 2020, the Republic of the Marshall Islands deposited its instruments of accession to the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (Service Convention). With the accession of the Marshall Islands, the Service Convention now has 78 Contracting Parties....
Austria ratifies the Service Convention
On 14 July 2020, Austria deposited its instruments of ratification to the Convention of 15 November 1965 on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (Service Convention). With the ratification of Austria, the Service Convention now has 77 Contracting Parties. The Service Convention will enter into force for Austria on 12 September 2020....
Meeting of the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption
From 8 to 10 July 2020, the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 58 participants, representing 24 States, including both States of origin and receiving States, and four international organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The mandate of the Group is to...
Toolkit for the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention in Times of COVID-19
Following the publication of the HCCH COVID-19 Toolkit, the Permanent Bureau has prepared a Toolkit for the effective application of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention in times of COVID-19. This focused Toolkit presents key aspects and specific HCCH resources relevant in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 situation in the context of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention. Recalling...
First Anniversary of the Judgments Convention
Today marks the first anniversary of the HCCH 2019 Judgments Convention, following its adoption at the Twenty-Second Session of the HCCH on 2 July 2019. Negotiated by over 400 delegates from around the world, the Convention deals with the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in civil or commercial matters. The negotiations which led to the adoption of the Judgments Convention are...
Apostille Convention enters into force for Palau
On 23 June 2020, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for Palau following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 17 October 2019. The Apostille Convention currently has 118 Contracting Parties. Palau is not a Member of the HCCH yet, and this is the first HCCH Convention that Palau...
HCCH COVID-19 Toolkit
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to follow the recent video message of the Secretary General, the Permanent Bureau (PB) has developed a Toolkit. This COVID-19 Toolkit compiles references to specific HCCH resources and publications which are particularly relevant in light of the current global situation. It is designed to assist users of the HCCH Conventions and other instruments in these...
Video Message from the Secretary General: COVID-19
The Evidence Convention enters into force for Viet Nam
On 3 May 2020, the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters entered into force for Viet Nam following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 4 March 2020. The Evidence Convention currently has 63 Contracting Parties. Viet Nam is a Member of the HCCH (since 2013) and currently party to three other Conventions. More information is...
Child Protection Convention enters into force for Barbados
On 1 May 2020, 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 entered into force for Barbados, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 11 July 2019. The 1996 Child Protection Convention currently has 52 Contracting Parties. While Barbados...