Entry into force of Spanish as an additional official language of the HCCH
Today, 1 July 2024, marks the entry into force of Spanish as an additional official language of the HCCH. As of today, English, French, and Spanish are the three official languages of the Organisation. The Members of the HCCH took the historic decision to adopt Spanish as an official language in March 2023, during the annual meeting of the HCCH Council on General Affairs and Policy...
2005 Choice of Court Convention enters into force for Moldova
Today, 1 July 2024, the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Moldova, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 14 March 2024. At present, 34 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. More information on this Convention is available on the Choice...
1993 Adoption Convention enters into force for Angola
Today, 1 July 2024, the Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (1993 Adoption Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Angola following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 14 March 2024. The 1993 Adoption Convention has 106 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Adoption...
First Working Meeting of the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital Currencies
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) decided to establish an Experts’ Group to study the applicable law and jurisdiction issues raised by the cross-border use and transfers of CBDCs (see Conclusion & Decisions Nos 9 and 10 of CGAP 2024). Following on this decision, the Secretary General of the HCCH convoked the Experts’ Group on Central Bank Digital...
The United Kingdom ratifies the 2019 Judgments Convention
On 27 June 2024, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (2019 Judgments Convention). With the ratification of the United Kingdom, 30 HCCH Members are either bound by the 2019 Judgments Convention or a Contracting Party...
Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention
From 18 to 21 June 2024, the HCCH co-hosted the Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention with the Government of South Africa and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Child Law (see Conclusion and Decision No 31 of CGAP 2024). With about 100 attendees joining in person and a total of over 340 connecting online from around the...
Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention
From 18 to 21 June 2024, the HCCH will hold a Forum on domestic violence and the related operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention in Sandton, South Africa, co-hosted with the Government of South Africa and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Child Law (see Conclusion and Decision No 31 of CGAP 2024). The Forum will bring together relevant parties with...
Second Meeting of the Working Group established to complete the Country Profile and work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form for the 1996 Child Protection Convention
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) approved the establishment of a Working Group (WG) to first complete the Country Profile for the 1996 Child Protection Convention and then to progress work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form under the 1996 Child Protection Convention (see Conclusion and Decisions Nos 23-24 of CGAP 2024). The second meeting...
First Working Meeting of the Digital Tokens Project
In March 2024, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) decided to commence the Digital Tokens Project (see Conclusion & Decision No 12). Under this project, the Permanent Bureau (PB), in partnership with relevant subject-matter experts and Observers, is studying the private international law issues relating to digital tokens. Following a kick-off meeting on 15 May 2024, where...
Third Meeting of the Working Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption
From 4 to 6 June 2024, the Working Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption met for the third time. The meeting, held online, was attended by 35 delegates and other experts, representing 15 HCCH Members, two non-Member Contracting Parties and three Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The mandate of the Working Group is to take stock of...