Hague Service Convention meaning

This Checklist offers practitioners a route map through the array of cross-border issues to consider when proceedings feature an international element, for example a defendant domiciled outside the jurisdiction or a contract that designates the courts of another country as having jurisdiction. Structured as a table, it poses key questions and links to underlying materials that address them. The UK’s departure from the EU has consequences for practitioners handling cross-border matters involving not only EU Member States but also contracting states to the Lugano Convention 2007 and to the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements. Consequently, this Checklist also connects to pertinent Brexit content within the cross-border topic in view, and examines several Brexit-specific cross-border issues. For guidance where Brexit is not in play, see: Cross border considerations-checklist. Brexit-transition/implementation period The UK is no longer an EU Member State, following its exit at 11 pm on 31 January 2020 (exit day). Two time periods are pertinent for dispute resolution practitioners: after IP completion...

This checklist outlines practical matters to bear in mind when managing an application for alternative service where service must occur outside England and Wales. Checklist Consideration References If you seek alternative service because permitted routes, including the Hague Convention, are likely to be lengthy and drawn out, the application ought to be buttressed by the following: a formal confirmation from the Foreign Process Office describing and confirming the likely time delays for effecting service in the relevant country; detailed evidence, preferably from a locally-qualified lawyer, showing how long service ordinarily takes via standard channels, with reference to specific experience or examples where relevant; if significant delay in that jurisdiction is notorious, exhibit independent corroborative evidence to support that position. Practice Note: Alternative service—making an application—Evidence in support The courts will consider any material indicating that a defendant is attempting to evade or impede service. A claimant should carefully record and preserve such behaviour, as doing so will strengthen the...

This Checklist helps identify the correct method of service when papers must be served outside the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. It explains the formal service frameworks available for serving judicial and extra-judicial documents in a foreign state. The Checklist addresses the service mechanism under the Hague Service Convention, lists the territories to which that convention has been extended, and indicates whether any reservations, declarations or notifications have been recorded. For details on such reservations, declarations or notifications, consult: HCCH website—Service Section. This guidance focuses on cross-border service from England and Wales to overseas destinations and related procedural steps. How this checklist works To work out the applicable service framework using the table below, assess the relevant regime in: the country in which the document originates, and the country in which the document is to be served When the same regime is available in both countries, that regime governs. It is advisable to seek advice of a local...

In this issue: Key DR developments Cross-border disputes Pre-action and limitation Litigation Case management Evidence and disclosure ADR Scottish Dispute Resolution Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments Guidance and reports Courts and Tribunals Judiciary publishes February 2026 updated edition of the Equal Treatment Bench Book: The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has issued an interim February 2026 update to the Equal Treatment Bench Book. For more information, see: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary publishes February 2026 updated edition Equal Treatment Bench Book—LNB News 26/02/2026 28. HCCH publishes 2025 annual report highlighting private international law developments The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) has released its 2025 annual report, noting the creation of two new Experts’ Groups to examine private international law topics linked to Digital Tokens and Carbon Markets. For more information, see: HCCH publishes 2025 annual report highlighting private international law...

In this issue: Key DR developments Claims and remedies Costs and funding Cross-border disputes Evidence and disclosure Civil appeals New content Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments Consultation CPRC launches consultation on electronic service modernisation for CPR 6 and CPR PD 6A: The Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) has opened a consultation on revisions to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) aimed at updating how documents are served. The exercise suggests two principal amendments to CPR 6 and CPR PD 6A: first, where a legal representative has confirmed authority to take service for a client, they would be obliged to accept service by electronic means without further permission; and second, fax would be withdrawn as a form of electronic service, given email’s predominance. The consultation closes on 12 September 2025. For more information, see: LNB News 04/07/2025 54—CPRC launches consultation on electronic service modernisation for...

In this issue: Trusts Court of Protection UK taxation for Private Client Updates to HMRC Manuals Tax avoidance, evasion and non-compliance Regulatory compliance for Private Client Budgets and Finance Bills Family enterprises and ownership frameworks Disputed trusts and estates Pensions, insurance and tax-efficient investments Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland International Question of the week Additional Private Client updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts LexTalk®Private Client: a Lexis+® community New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers Latest Q&As Useful information Trusts HMCTS issues guidance on applications to recover funds paid into the High Court, Chancery Division HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has issued guidance on making applications to recover money held by the High Court (Chancery Division). Released on 18 December 2025, the guidance covers three situations: surpluses from property repossessions when entitled parties cannot...

Practice Note: Service of applications and documents in family proceedings outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales This Practice Note sets out guidance on serving applications for matrimonial or civil partnership orders, and other family proceedings documents, beyond England and Wales. It addresses service in Scotland or Northern Ireland, in states party to the Hague Service Convention, and in all remaining countries, for proceedings started on or after 6 April 2022. It outlines the deadlines for service and for acknowledging service of matrimonial and civil partnership applications, and also considers when a translation is required. For proceedings issued before 6 April 2022, see Practice Note: Service of documents in family proceedings outside the jurisdiction (pre-DDSA 2020). For provisions on serving court documents within the EU before implementation period (IP) completion day (11 pm on 31 December 2020), see: Service on a party in an EU Member State before IP completion day. The rules governing service of application forms/notices and other documents outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales, together...

How to use this index This Practice Note offers an index with links to the Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955—the main procedural rules that apply to family proceedings—together with all supporting Practice Directions. Use the 'Table of Contents' tab on the left-hand side of the screen; it will expand to reveal every Part of FPR 2010 and the associated Practice Directions for each individual Part. To open material within FPR 2010, select the margin note to the right of the text for the specific Part or Practice Direction you wish to consult. When you are inside a Part of FPR 2010, click the 'Table of Contents' tab on the left to then expand that Part, display all rules contained in it, and allow you to navigate to the relevant provision you are interested in or require. Within FPR 2010, the 'Table of Contents' tab also lists all other Parts of FPR 2010, and individual rules can be navigated to by clicking on each relevant...

ARCHIVED : This Practice Note explains the position if the UK and the EU reach no agreement on taking evidence after the UK leaves the EU. During the implementation period beginning on exit day (ie the day the UK departs the EU), the withdrawal agreement’s provisions apply. For guidance on that period and its effect on evidence-taking, see Practice Note: Brexit implementation period—taking of evidence [Archived]. It considers the consequences of a no-deal exit for securing evidence in civil and commercial cases. Two principal UK regulations address a no-deal Brexit and the taking of evidence: The Service of Documents and Taking of Evidence in Civil and Commercial Matters (Revocation and Saving Provisions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, SI 2018/1257, which revokes the key EU instrument in this area, namely Regulation (EC) 1206/2001 (Taking of Evidence Regulation). The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, SI 2019/521, which amends Part 34 of the Civil Procedure Rules dealing with evidence...

Filed on behalf of the defendant Witness Statement of [ enter the initial and surname of the witness ]. Witness statement number: [ enter the number of the witness statement relating to this witness ]. Exhibit particulars: [ enter initials and the number for each exhibit referred to ]. The statement date: [ enter date ]. [ Date of translation: [ enter date ] ]. Claim number: [ enter claim number ]. ...