International Adoption Round Table in Kyiv
International Round Table "Intercountry Adoption in Ukraine: International Law Implementation Issues" On 6 and 7 November 2008, an international Round Table was co-organised in Kyiv by the Ministry of Ukraine for Family, Youth and Sports (State Department for Adoption and Protection of Children Rights) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Project Co-ordinator in...
10th anniversary of International Network of Judges for International Child Protection
A small celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Hague Network of Judges was held in Brussels on Friday 16 January 2009. The creation of an international network of judges for international child protection was first proposed at the 1998 De Ruwenberg Seminar for Judges on the international protection of children. The International Hague Network of Judges facilitates...
Joint EC-HCCH Conference on Direct Judicial Communications on Family Law Matters and the Development of Judicial Networks
On 15-16 January 2009, judges and experts from more than 50 countries and representatives from leading international judges associations met in Brussels (Belgium), under the auspices of the European Commission and the Hague Conference, to discuss direct judicial communications on family law matters and the development of judicial networks. Read the Recommendations and Conclusions of...
US signs 2005 Choice of Court Convention
On Monday 19 January 2009, the Hague Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements received its first signature. Mr John B. Bellinger III, Legal Adviser to the US Secretary of State, signed the instrument of signature on behalf of the United States of America. Ms Karen K Johnson, Deputy Legal Counselor of the US Embassy at The Hague, as well as HCCH Secretary General Hans van Loon and...
Publication of Guide on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children
Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of General Principles and Guide to Good Practice on Transfrontier Contact Concerning Children. The purpose of this Guide is to draw attention to certain general considerations and special features which need to be borne in mind by States and their authorities when formulating policies in respect...
Dominican Republic accedes to Hague Apostille Convention
On Friday, 12 December 2008, the Dominican Republic 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"). With this new accession, 95 countries are currently Contracting States to this Treaty. For information on the Competent Authority designated by the...
First Electronic Apostille in Europe
Another important step for the Electronic Apostille Pilot Program (e-APP) The Superior Court of Murcia (Spain) recently issued the first electronic Apostille (e-Apostille) in Europe. This Apostille, issued within the framework of an international adoption procedure, is perfectly consistent with the model proposed under the e-APP. Please click here to read the press release from...
Italy signs Protection of Adults Convention
Croatia signs 1996 Convention
On Thursday, 30 October 2008, the Republic of Croatia signed the Hague 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. This Convention is currently in force for fifteen States and has been signed by twenty more....
Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference
International Co-operation through Hague Conventions in the Asia Pacific The Third Asia Pacific Regional Conference, jointly organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hague Conference on Private International Law, was held in Hong Kong from 24 to 26 September 2008. Among the topics discussed were the latest work of the Hague Conference and the...