Apostille Convention enters into force for Senegal
Today, 23 March 2023, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Republic of Senegal following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 13 July 2022. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 124 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...
Evidence Convention enters into force for El Salvador
Today, 20 March 2023, the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters (1970 Evidence Convention) entered into force for the Republic of El Salvador following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 19 January 2023. The 1970 Evidence Convention currently has 65 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available on the...
CGAP 2023 – The HCCH decides to adopt Spanish as official language
Last week, during the annual meeting of the HCCH Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP), the Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) took the historic decision to adopt Spanish as an official language. From 1 July 2024, Spanish will join English and French as one of the three official languages of the Organisation. This development represents an important further...
CGAP 2023 – Conclusions & Decisions now available!
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH met from 7 to 10 March 2023. The meeting was attended by over 450 participants, representing 80 HCCH Members, 8 non-Member States, 7 intergovernmental organizations, 9 international non-governmental organizations, and members of the Permanent Bureau. The Conclusions & Decisions adopted by CGAP are now available in English and French....
University of Bonn and HCCH Conference on 2019 Judgments Convention: Registration now open!
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to advise that registration is open for the Conference on The HCCH 2019 Judgments Convention: Cornerstones – Prospects – Outlook, which will be held in person on 9 and 10 June 2023 at the University of Bonn, Germany. The Conference is co-organised by the University of Bonn and the Permanent Bureau of the HCCH, with the generous support of the Federal...
CGAP 2023 – Appointment of HCCH Secretary General
The Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) has decided to recommend Dr Christophe Bernasconi to the Netherlands Standing Government Committee on Private International Law for the position of Secretary General. The Members of the HCCH warmly congratulated Dr Bernasconi on his recommendation for reappointment. Following the meeting, the Chair of CGAP will advise the Netherlands Standing...
CGAP 2023 – New accessions and ratifications
On 8 March 2023, the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the HCCH witnessed China accede to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) and Malta ratify the Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults (2000 Protection of Adults Convention). H.E. Mr Jian Tan, Ambassador...
Apostille Convention enters into force for Pakistan
On 9 March 2023, the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (1961 Apostille Convention) entered into force for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, following the deposit of its instrument of accession on 8 July 2022. The 1961 Apostille Convention currently has 124 Contracting Parties. More information on this Convention is available...
Publication of the HCCH 2022 Annual Report
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of the HCCH 2022 Annual Report. Throughout the past year, the HCCH continued to advance its legislative work and to promote the effective operation of its Conventions, successfully convening the meetings of two Experts’ Groups, three Working Groups, and three Special Commissions, the latter tasked with reviewing the practical...
Publication of the Practical Guide to Access to Justice for International Tourists and Visitors
The Permanent Bureau is pleased to announce the publication of the Practical Guide to Access to Justice for International Tourists and Visitors. The Practical Guide is intended to assist international tourists and visitors to foreign countries seeking access to justice for disputes arising from their tourism experience by providing information on online dispute resolution (ODR) mechanisms that...