Importance of the work of the HCCH and the PCA for francophone Africa
On 10 January, representatives from nineteen French-speaking African States, along with a delegate from the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), convened in Brussels for a meeting organised by Belgium, France, and Switzerland. The agenda focused on exploring the benefits of membership in the HCCH and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The Belgian Minister of Foreign...
2007 Child Support Convention enters into force for Cabo Verde
On 12 January 2025, the Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007 Child Support Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Cabo Verde following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 9 January 2024. At present, 52 States and the European Union are bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention. More...
2005 Choice of Court Convention enters into force for Switzerland
On 1 January 2025, the Convention of 30 June 2005 on Choice of Court Agreements (2005 Choice of Court Convention) entered into force for the Swiss Confederation following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 18 September 2024. At present, 36 States and the European Union are bound by the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. More information on this Convention is available on the Choice...
Update on the Judges' Newsletter on International Child Protection
The PB is pleased to announce the publication of the Vol. XXV / Spring-Summer 2024 edition of the Judges' Newsletter on International Child Protection (Judges’ Newsletter). The Judges’ Newsletter provides information on the latest developments relating to the HCCH Children’s Conventions, with the intention of facilitating judicial cooperation in the field of international child...
Publication of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention
The Permanent Bureau (PB) is pleased to announce the publication of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention (Practical Handbook). The Practical Handbook is intended to assist current and prospective Contracting Parties to the 2000 Protection of Adults Convention by providing practical guidance on the implementation and operation of the Convention, which...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group
On 11 December 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 43 delegates and other experts, representing 19 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. The ACWG continued discussing and finalising updates to the Country Profile on the 2007 Child Support...
Belize accedes to the 1996 Child Protection Convention
Today, 12 December 2024, Belize deposited its instrument of accession to the 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 (1996 Child Protection Convention). With the accession of Belize, the Convention now has 56 Contracting Parties. It will enter into...
Fourth Meeting of the Working Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption
From 3 to 6 December 2024, the Working Group (WG) on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption met for the fourth time. The meeting, held in hybrid format, was attended by 39 delegates and other experts, representing 16 HCCH Members, three non-Member Contracting Parties, and three Observers, as well as by members of the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH. Pursuant to its mandate, the WG...
Meetings of the Working Groups on the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles for the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions
In October and November 2024, the Working Group (WG) on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1965 Service Convention (Service WG) and the WG on the Practical Handbook and Country Profile for the 1970 Evidence Convention (Evidence WG) met online to finalise the Practical Handbooks and Country Profiles in light of the discussions held at the July 2024 meeting of the Special Commission...
Meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group
On 27 November 2024, a meeting of the Administrative Cooperation Working Group (ACWG) was held online, hosted by the Permanent Bureau (PB) in The Hague. The meeting was attended by 43 delegates and other experts, representing 21 HCCH Members and one Observer, as well as by members of the PB. The ACWG continued discussing and finalising updates to the Country Profile on the 2007 Child Support...