First Meeting of the Working Group on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation
From 11 to 15 October 2021, the Working Group on Matters Related to Jurisdiction in Transnational Civil or Commercial Litigation met for the first time. The meeting, held via videoconference, was attended by over 60 participants representing 28 HCCH Members and two Observers, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Group, under the chairmanship of Professor Keisuke Takeshita...
Meeting of the Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the Apostille Convention
From 5 to 8 October 2021, the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille Convention met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by over 350 delegates, representing HCCH Members, non‑Member Contracting Parties, and Observers from non‑Member States, intergovernmental and international non‑governmental organisations, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau. The first day...
Indonesia accedes to the Apostille Convention on its 60th Anniversary
Today, 5 October 2021, the Republic of Indonesia deposited its instrument of accession to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). The ceremony was held on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Convention as part of the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission on the practical operation of the Apostille...
12th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme
Today, 4 October 2021, the 12th International Forum on the electronic Apostille Programme (e-APP Forum) was held via videoconference. The e-APP Forum convenes global experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and best practices in relation to the e‑APP. The 12th International Forum featured presentations from 14 Contracting Parties to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing...
Meeting of the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption
From 28 to 30 September 2021, the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices in Intercountry Adoption met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 57 participants representing 25 States, four Observers, and members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Group has been working on developing a Toolkit aimed at preventing and addressing illicit practices in intercountry...
Now available in 23 EU languages: Guide to Good Practice under the Child Abduction Convention: Part VI – Article 13(1)(b)
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of 19 new translations of the Guide to Good Practice under the Child Abduction Convention: Part VI – Article 13(1)(b). With these new translations, the Guide to Good Practice is now available in 23 European Union (EU) languages. The Guide, originally published in English and French, was developed by the Permanent Bureau of the...
iSupport - New successful EU Action Grant application
The Permanent Bureau of the HCCH is pleased to announce a new successful EU Action Grant application for iSupport. This new project will be called iSupport ITMF (International Transfer of Maintenance Funds), as it will aim at establishing a link between the iSupport software and bank accounts held by Central Authorities. The project will rely on guidance provided by the Experts’ Group on...
Fifth meeting of the Experts’ Group on Family Agreements
On 14 and 15 September 2021, the Experts’ Group on Family Agreements met for the fifth time. The meeting was held via videoconference and was attended by 25 members representing 23 Member States and one Regional Economic Integration Organisation, as well as members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. The Experts’ Group was convened to discuss the most recent revision of the draft...
Costa Rica signs the Judgments Convention
Today, 16 September 2021, the Republic of Costa Rica signed the Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention). Although the 2019 Judgments Convention is not yet in force, Costa Rica is its fourth signatory. More information on this Convention is available on the Judgments Section of the HCCH website. The...
Apostille Convention enters into force for Singapore
Today, 16 September 2021, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Singapore, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 18 January 2021. The Apostille Convention has 120 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...