Dr Christophe Bernasconi officially assumes post of Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law

Today Dr Christophe Bernasconi, former Deputy Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, has formally taken office as the Organisation's new Secretary General. He takes over from Mr Hans van Loon, who was Secretary General of the Hague Conference from 1996 until his retirement on 30 June 2013. Prior to becoming Secretary General, Mr Van Loon served as Secretary and...

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Farewell reception of Hague Conference Secretary General Hans van Loon

Hans van Loon hosts farewell reception at the Peace Palace in The Hague to mark his retirement as Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and present his successor Christophe Bernasconi After nearly 35 years of service at the Hague Conference on Private International Law and almost 17 years as Secretary General, Mr Hans van Loon will retire as Secretary...

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The Republic of Korea signs the 1993 Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention

On 24 May 2013, the Republic of Korea signed the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The ceremony was held, exceptionally, at the Ministry of General Affairs of the Netherlands. The Republic of Korea was represented by H.E. Mr Young Chin, Minister of Health and Welfare who signed the Convention. The ceremony was also...

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Bahrain joins the Hague Apostille Convention

On Wednesday 10 April 2013, the Kingdom of Bahrain deposited its instrument of accession to the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the "Apostille Convention"). This Convention, which now has 105 Contracting States, will enter into force for Bahrain on 31 December 2013. ...

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Instruments of acceptance, ratification and accession deposited during the Council on General Affairs and Policy of the Conference

PRESS RELEASE   Viet Nam becomes newest Hague Conference Member; Serbia ratifies the Hague Protocol on the Law Applicable to Maintenance Obligations; and Colombia joins the Hague Service Convention   At a ceremony on the grounds of the Peace Palace on 10 April 2013, the Socialist Republic of Viet  Nam became the 73rd Member of the Hague Conference on Private International...

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The Hague Conference celebrates its 120th anniversary

The Hague Conference on Private International Law - the oldest international institution in The Hague - celebrated its 120th Anniversary on Monday, 8 April 2013 with an event, The Hague Conference at 120: Today and the Future, held in in the Academy Building of the Peace Palace in The Hague. Since its establishment in 1893, the Hague Conference has successfully undertaken efforts to build...

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