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...
Ireland ratifies the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention
The Permanent Bureau has been informed that, on 31 May 2024, Ireland deposited its instrument of ratification of the Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (2000 Protection of Adults Convention). With the ratification of Ireland, the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention now has 16 Contracting Parties. It will enter into force for Ireland on 1 September 2024. More...
1961 Apostille Convention enters into force for Rwanda
Today, 5 June 2024, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Rwanda following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 6 October 2023. The 1961 Apostille Convention has 126 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Apostille...
First 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 complete the Country Profile for the 1996 Child Protection Convention and requested that, subsequent to its work on the Country Profile, the WG progress work on the draft Cooperation Request Recommended Model Form under the 1996 Child Protection Convention (see Conclusion and...