The CCTL Private International Law Group at CUHK LAW organised on 25 March 2021 a seminar titled ‘Latest Development of Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Hague Judgments Convention’. Prof. Yun Zhao, Henry Cheng Professor in International Law and Head of Department of Law at the University of Hong Kong, delivered the seminar.

Initially, Prof. Zhao clarified the roles and functions of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) as an intergovernmental organisation. The HCCH, without focusing on substantial legal matters, progressively unifies rules of private international law through the adoption of hard law and soft law instruments such as conventions and protocols to facilitate international trade, commerce and foreign direct investment on the one hand, and give effect to human rights on the other. Prof. Zhao provided an overview of the various legal instruments. Eventually, Prof. Zhao introduced the new Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements in Civil or Commercial Matters signed in 2019. The new Convention, which has not yet entered in force, is expected to enhance the foreseeability and legal certainty for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements, with sufficient flexibility to address States’ concerns.

Prof. Alan Gibb chaired the seminar.