Namibia becomes 87th Member of the HCCH
Today, 19 January 2021, the Republic of Namibia deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Statute, thus becoming the 87th Member of the HCCH. Namibia has been an HCCH Connected State since 2000 and is currently a Contracting Party to the Apostille and Adoption Conventions. Namibia is the eighth African State to become a Member of the HCCH and its Membership is another important step toward...
Singapore accedes to the Apostille Convention
Today, 18 January 2021, the Republic of Singapore deposited its instrument of accession to the HCCH Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention). On behalf of the Embassy of Singapore, Minister-Counsellor Davinia Aziz deposited the instrument and is pictured with Mr Rieks Boekholt, Legal Officer, representing the...
Protection of Adults Convention enters into force for Belgium
On 1 January 2021, the HCCH Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (Protection of Adults Convention) entered into force for the Kingdom of Belgium, following the deposit of its instrument of ratification on 30 September 2020. The Protection of Adults Convention has 13 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the Protection of Adults...
Continuing application of the Choice of Court Convention and Child Support Convention for the United Kingdom
After the conclusion of the transition period following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union, the United Kingdom continues to be bound by the HCCH Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (Choice of Court Convention) and the HCCH Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other...
4th Edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Evidence Convention
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Evidence Convention, the Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce the publication of the 4th Edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Evidence Convention. This commemorative edition of the Practical Handbook includes light updates on the latest developments in domestic and international legal instruments and case law. It outlines...
Professor William R. Duncan receives Ireland's Presidential Distinguished Service Award
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that former Deputy Secretary General of the HCCH, Professor William Duncan, was named as one of 14 honourees to receive the prestigious Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad. Professor Duncan received the award in the category of “Peace, Reconciliation, and Development”, in recognition of his years of dedication to...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group on the Child Support Convention
From 14 to 17 December 2020, the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) on the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) met via videoconference. The meeting was attended by 60 participants representing 20 Members, one Observer, and members of the Permanent Bureau. As recommended by...
Passing away of Professor Dr Alegría Borrás
It is with deep regret and sorrow that the Permanent Bureau (PB) announces the passing of Professor Dr Alegría Borrás on 14 December 2020. Throughout her illustrious career, Professor Borrás was deeply involved in the work of the HCCH. From 1986, Professor Borrás represented Spain as an expert and delegate at the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), Special...
HCCH-WIPO Guide now available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce that the Guide entitled “When Private International Law Meets Intellectual Property – A Guide for Judges”, co-authored by Annabelle Bennett (Australia) and Sam Granata (Belgium), with the co-ordination of the Secretariats of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the HCCH, is now available in Arabic, Chinese, Russian,...
HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020: Livestream
Today, 2 December 2020, at 14:15 CET, HCCH a|Bridged – Edition 2020 will begin broadcasting live from the official event website. Participants who completed the pre-event registration will be able to log in to interact with speakers and other participants during the event. Non-registered participants will be able to follow the event via the livestream. The focus of HCCH a|Bridged –...