HCCH - Informe anual 2015

152 Annual Report

0Annual Report 2015annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel Foreword by the Secretary General Christophe Bernasconi Each year is a journey – and it is our pleasure to present you with this Annual Report for 2015, which charts the Hague Conference on Private International Law’s (HCCH) journey through the year by tracking its continued growth, reporting on the many chief activities, and chronicling some major achievements. I am delighted to report that in the year passed, the HCCH continued to grow. At the end of the year, membership comprised 80 Members (79 States and the European Union); an additional 68 States were parties to at least one Hague Convention without being a Member of the Organisation, bringing the total number of “connected” States to 147. Our steady growth is not only a reflection of our work’s importance to facilitating human rights and economic activities. Rather, our growth is equally fuelled by the recognition that the evolution of our membership and the expanding reach of our Conventions means that our ongoing work and current and future instruments are and will be even more global in focus, character and nature. Reflecting on our legislative mandate, I proudly highlight two important milestones for the HCCH. First, 2015 saw the Members’ approval of a new instrument: the Hague Principles on Choice of Law in International Commercial Contracts. This instrument, a best practice international code concerning party autonomy in international commercial contracts, may serve as a model for national, regional, supranational or international laws and instruments and is the HCCH’s first soft law instrument. Secondly, 2015 also saw the long-anticipated entry into force of the 2005 Choice of Court Convention. This important instrument, which enhances legal certainty while reducing the costs and uncertainties associated with cross-border dealings and disputes, now operates between 28 Contracting States. Our journey will continue in 2016 – and there is indication aplenty that the coming year will again be an exciting one for the HCCH. The Judgments and the Parentage /

enhances legal certainty while reducing the costs and uncertainties associated with cross-border dealings and disputes, now operates between 28 Contracting States. Our journey will continue in 2016 – and there is indication aplenty that the coming year will again be an exciting one for the HCCH. The Judgments and the Parentage / Surrogacy Projects will possibly enter into decisive phases, while other projects continue to progress towards their completion with steady hand. I invite you to continue following our journey – a journey to build bridges between different legal systems towards global citizenship.Table of contents The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) builds bridges between different legal systems towards global citizenship. 8 Vision and Mission 10 Facts and Figures 12 New Members and Accessions 34 Administration

14 Governance Calendar of activities 18annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel 98 Its mission is to • be a forum for its Members for the development and implementation of common rules of private international law in order to co-ordinate the relationships between different private law systems in international situations; • promote international judicial and administrative co-operation in the fields of protection of the family and children, civil procedure and commercial law; • provide high-standard legal services and technical assistance for the benefit of Members and States Parties to Hague Conventions, their government officials, judiciary and practitioners; and • provide high-quality and readily accessible information to Members and States Parties to Hague Conventions, their government officials, judiciary, practitioners and the public in general. Its vision is to • work for a world in which individuals, families as well as companies and other entities whose lives and activities transcend the boundaries between different legal systems, enjoy a high degree of legal security; and • promote the orderly and efficient settlement of disputes, good governance and the rule of law, while respecting the diversity of legal traditions.annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel 1110 Facts and Figures Launch of the new website www.hcch.net on

• promote the orderly and efficient settlement of disputes, good governance and the rule of law, while respecting the diversity of legal traditions.annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel

1110 Facts and Figures Launch of the new website www.hcch.net on 3 December 2015 New Acessions in 2015: 1965 Service Convention 1 175% increase of fans on Facebook; 103.45% increase of followers on LinkedIn; and 55.46% more views on Youtube in 2015 The HCCH received € 307,280 of Voluntary Contributions from Member States and € 41,901 from other sources 2 new Members to the Hague Conference in 2015 New Acessions in 2015: 1961 Apostille Convention 5 New Acessions in 2015: 1980 Access to Justice Convention 1 New Acessions in 2015: 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention 3 New Acessions in 2015: 1954 Civil Procedure Convention 11312 annual report 2015 rapport annuel Members and new Members of the Hague Conference in 2015 New Members in 2015 Andorra Armenia Admitted to become a Member (subject to acceptance of the Statute by admitted State) Colombia Lebanon Moldova Members joining in 2015 Members Non-Members and acceded to a Convention Admitted to become a Member (subject to acceptance of the Statute) Andorra Armenia Members annual report 2015 rapport annuel New Accessions to Hague Conventions in 2015

Accessions to Hague Conventions Apostille Convention (1961) Brazil Chile Kosovo Morocco Tajikistan Civil Procedure Convention (1954) Kazakhstan Service Convention (1965) Kazakhstan Justice Convention (1980) Kazakhstan Intercountry Adoption Convention (1993) Cote d’Ivoire

Namibia Zambia EIF: Entry into force in 2015 EIF: Entry into force in 2016

New Accesions in 2015 Members Non-Members and acceded to a Convention Kazakhstan Brazil Chile Tajikistan Namibia Côte d’Ivoire Zambia EU Kosovo Morocco New Accessionsannual report 2015 rapport annuel 15 annual report 2015 rapport annuel 14 Council on General Affairs and Policy The 2015 meeting of the Council on General Affairs and Policy (Council) took place from 24 to 26 March 2015 at the Peace Palace, The Hague. At the meeting, participants witnessed: • Singapore’s signature of the 2005 Choice of Court Convention; and • the proposal by the Government of the Netherlands to admit Moldova as a Member of the HCCH. The Secretary General informed the Council that in a written procedure Members had approved the 2015 Hague Choice of Law Principles as the Organisation’s 39th legislative instrument. The Council noted the importance of the instrument and supported its promotion, including by agreeing to seek the endorsement of the Principles from UNCITRAL (for more details, see “March”, p. 21). Concerning the HCCH’s normative work programme, the Secretary General called upon the Council to consider how the Permanent Bureau’s limited resources could be allocated more effectively and efficiently. He suggested considering reviewing the work programme to identify projects that should be the Organisation’s focus in the coming year, or that may be removed for the time being. Heeding this call, the Council decided to afford the Judgments Project (see “October”, p. 29) the status

be allocated more effectively and efficiently. He suggested considering reviewing the work programme to identify projects that should be the Organisation’s focus in the coming year, or that may be removed for the time being. Heeding this call, the Council decided to afford the Judgments Project (see “October”, p. 29) the status of a priority topic. The Council also remarked on the importance of the project on Parentage / Surrogacy, mandating the convening of an Experts’ Group in February 2016, tasked with exploring the feasibility of advancing work in this area. The Council also tasked the Permanent Bureau with conducting a study concerning the desirability and feasibility of further work with respect to co-operation to protect tourists and visitors abroad. On the other hand, in an effort to slim the Organisation’s work programme, the Council decided to remove from the topic accessing the content of foreign law. With respect to the HCCH’s non-normative work, the Council approved the: • updated edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Service Convention; and • new edition of the Practical Handbook on the Operation of the Evidence Convention. With the approval of the content of these Handbooks, the Permanent Bureau was in a position to ready them for publication, with their release taking place on 28 January 2016. In relation to other non-normative work items, the Council welcomed: • plans to convene a meeting of the Special Commission on the practical operation of the 1961 Apostille Convention, to be held in conjunction with the 10th International Forum on the e-APP in the second half of 2016; • again the progress of the Working Group in developing a Guide to Good Practice on the interpretation and application of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Child Abduction Convention; 14 Governanceannual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel 16 17 • the work accomplished by the Permanent Bureau in relation to INCADAT and INCASTAT under the 1980 Child Abduction Convention; and • the achievements in relation to the development of iSupport (the electronic

14 Governanceannual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel 16 17 • the work accomplished by the Permanent Bureau in relation to INCADAT and INCASTAT under the 1980 Child Abduction Convention; and • the achievements in relation to the development of iSupport (the electronic case management and secure communication system) under the 2007 Child Support Convention. The Council also considered the Report of the Working Group on Technical Assistance. This Working Group had been established to develop a strategic framework for technical assistance and post-Convention services provided by the HCCH, addressing, among other things, the nature and extent of technical assistance and post-Convention services; strategic objectives; as well as selection and prioritisation criteria for the provision of technical assistance. Participants welcomed the Working Group’s Report and approved the Strategic Framework. The Council took this opportunity to welcome the achievements of the Permanent Bureau in the areas of education, training and technical assistance in relation to the Hague Conventions, and noted the need to secure funding to continue the position of the Intercountry Adoption Technical Assistance Programme Co-ordinator. Finally, the participants of the Council also considered the HCCH’s regional presence, including as a means to expanding the Organisation’s geographical reach. Welcoming the reports by both the Latin American and the Asia Pacific Regional Offices, and strongly supporting their further activities in their respective regions, the Council also took note of the Africa Strategy proposed by the Permanent Bureau. This initiative, conceived to increase the HCCH’s visibility and strengthen the promotion of the Organisation’s activities on the African Continent, received strong support by the Council. Council of Diplomatic Representatives Presided over by Ms Jones-Bos, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Meeting of the Council of Diplomatic Representatives took place on 21 May 2015. The Council reviewed, and approved, the final accounts for the Organisation’s Financial Year 1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015 (Year LX) and discharged the Secretary General from his responsibilities. The Council also

place on 21 May 2015. The Council reviewed, and approved, the final accounts for the Organisation’s Financial Year 1 July 2014 – 30 June 2015 (Year LX) and discharged the Secretary General from his responsibilities. The Council also approved the draft Budget for the Financial Year 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 (FY LXI), which proposed an overall increase of the total expenses by 2.61%, translating into an increase of the total contribution of the Member States of 2.16%, i.e., an increase of the Member States’ contributions per unit by 1.30%. Participants also received updates on a number of other issues, including the transition from the Supplementary Budget to a project-based voluntary contribution accounting regime; the outcomes produced by the Working Group on Financial Matters and Budgetary Practices; and the progress on consolidating the Staff Rules and Regulations applicable to the staff of the Permanent Bureau. Working Group on Financial Matters and Budgetary Practices The mandate of this Working Group was to prepare new draft Financial Regulations for the HCCH. The aim of this task was to restructure the Organisation’s budgetary framework in order to modernise it and make it more transparent. The Working Group met twice in 2015 (28 February and 23 April), receiving assistance from the Friends of the Chair sub-group, which met on the same days. With a view to adopting the draft Financial Regulations it had prepared, the Working Group tabled its Report of the Meeting of the Working Group on Financial Matters and Budgetary Practices of 23 April 2015 at the 2015 Council of Diplomatic Representatives. This Report comprised a draft of the Financial Regulations as proposed by the Working Group. The finalised draft Financial Rules were submitted to, and approved by, the Members, by means of a written procedure. They entered into force on 1 January 2016. Sale of the building located at Scheveningseweg 6 With respect to the sale of the former headquarters of the Permanent Bureau, located at Scheveningseweg 6, a meeting of the Pensions / Building Working

They entered into force on 1 January 2016. Sale of the building located at Scheveningseweg 6 With respect to the sale of the former headquarters of the Permanent Bureau, located at Scheveningseweg 6, a meeting of the Pensions / Building Working Group took place on 6 July 2015. At the meeting, participants analysed and discussed the Permanent Bureau’s proposal to sell the property to an investor, thereafter allocating the entire proceeds of the sale to the HCCH’s Pension Reserve Fund. On 17 July 2015, Members were invited to cast their vote in a formal written procedure. The voting period ended on 31 August 2015. With no opposing votes received, the Secretary General informed Members on 4 September 2015 of the impending sale of the property to the investor, and the subsequent allocation of the proceeds. HCCH Staff Rules and Regulations The HCCH applies the Staff Rules and Regulations of the OECD. Since the 1970s, these rules were applied “sous réserve des adaptations nécessaires”. This resulted in a certain level of inconsistency in their application to the staff of the Permanent Bureau. To eliminate such inconsistencies in the future, and to make the application of the Staff Rules and Regulations more transparent, the Permanent Bureau commenced preparing consolidated Staff Rules and Regulations for the HCCH. In May 2015, an external consultant embarked on the task to identify those OECD Staff Rules that applied to staff of the HCCH as well as any gaps that existed and required closing. This work is ongoing.annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel 18 > 11|13 February 2015 Expert Group meeting on insolvency & Meeting on Cloud Computing project at UNCITRAL Vienna, Austria > 23|25 February 2015 IberRed meeting (Latin American Network for International Legal Co-operation) on international legal co-operation, including the operation and promotion of the Hague Children’s Conventions Panama City, Panama > 18|22 January 2015 Training on international family

IberRed meeting (Latin American Network for International Legal Co-operation) on international legal co-operation, including the operation and promotion of the Hague Children’s Conventions Panama City, Panama > 18|22 January 2015 Training on international family mediation (19-21 January) & Round table with representatives of the Russian Central Authority (22 January) Moscow, Russian Federation > 23|24 February 2015 Workshop on International Commercial Litigation at the Global Legal Forum 2015 London, United Kingdom > 25|27 February 2015 Awareness-raising Seminar in the context of mediation during enforcement struggles in cross-border family litigation Brussels, Belgium > 14|16 January 2015 ILA Committee on PIL and IP & Seminar on Intellectual Property and PIL Geneva, Switzerland > 12|13 February 2015 Workshop on Opinion 1/13 of the European Court of Justice considering the question with respect to the expectance of the accession of a non-Union country to the 1980 Child Abduction Convention Ferrara, Italy > 25|27 February 2015 Meetings with various Government officials and the American Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala on the 1961 Apostille and Child Protection Conventions and with UNICEF on the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention Guatemala City, Guatemala January|February > 3|6 February 2015 Fourth meeting of the Working Group on the Judgments Project The Hague, the Netherlands 19 Calendar of activities

ACTIVITIES

1|2 HCCH MEETINGSannual report 2015 rapport annuel 20 21 > 9|11 March 2015 10th Anglophone – Germanophone Conference on practical developments and policy reforms in family law organised by the Judicial Office for International Family Justice for England and Wales London, United Kingdom > 19 March 2015 Symposium on Private

> 9|11 March 2015 10th Anglophone – Germanophone Conference on practical developments and policy reforms in family law organised by the Judicial Office for International Family Justice for England and Wales London, United Kingdom > 19 March 2015 Symposium on Private International Law “International Civil Procedure & Brussels Ia” organised by the Asser Institute The Hague, the Netherlands > 5|6 March 2015 Preparatory meeting with the Asociación Americana de Derecho Internacional (ASADIP) (American Association of Private International Law) for the meeting of the Council on General Affairs and Policy of the Hague Conference Rio de Janeiro, Brazil > 10|11 March 2015 Annual Family Law Conference Cape Town, South Africa > 2 March 2015 Meeting of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (“CALA”) Board of Directors London, United Kingdom > 10 March 2015 Final Conference of EuroMed Justice III Project Barcelona, Spain March > 24|26 March 2015 Meeting of the Council on General Affairs and Policy The Hague, the Netherlands > 23 March 2015 Working Party on Mediation The Hague, the Netherlands On 19 March 2015, the HCCH approved its first normative soft law instrument, the 2015 Hague Choice of Law Principles. The Principles set forth general principles concerning choice of law in international commercial contracts, affirming party autonomy as a basis for the determination of the law applicable to international contracts. The Principles address problems that may be encountered in honouring and defining the perimeters of choice of law in international contracts. By acknowledging that parties to a contract are considered to be in the best position to determine which law is most suitable for their transaction, the Principles encourage the spread of party autonomy to legal systems that have not yet (fully) embraced this concept, as well as the development and refinement of the concept where it is already accepted.

determine which law is most suitable for their transaction, the Principles encourage the spread of party autonomy to legal systems that have not yet (fully) embraced this concept, as well as the development and refinement of the concept where it is already accepted. The Principles may be considered to be an international code of current best practice in relation to party autonomy in international commercial contracts and may serve as a model for national, regional, supranational or international instruments. In fact, this instrument already proved its usefulness in early 2015 by serving as a blueprint for the new Paraguayan law on the Law Applicable to International Contracts. The Principles’ usefulness in facilitating international trade was underscored by UNCITRAL’s endorsement of the Principles in July 2015, which commends the HCCH on having made “a valuable contribution to the facilitation of international trade by promoting the principle of party autonomy and reinforcing choice of law in international commercial contracts”. In November 2015, the International Chamber of Commerce appealed to authorities “to strengthen legal certainty for international contracts by implementing the newly approved Hague Principles” and recommended “States to incorporate the Principles […] into their domestic choice of law regimes”. Currently, the Principles and their accompanying Commentary are available in the two official languages of the Hague Conference, French and English, while a Spanish version will soon be available. The Preamble and 12 articles of the instrument are also available in Arabic, Chinese and Russian. March3

ACTIVITIES

HCCH MEETINGS

APPROVAL OF THE 2015 HAGUE CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES2322 annual report 2015 rapport annuel annual report 2015 rapport annuel > 24 April 2015 Meeting of the Committee for the Administration of Funds (CAF) Paris, France > 23 April 2015 Meeting on the analysis of the 1996 Child Protection and 2007 Maintenance Conventions Lima, Peru > 30 April 2015

HCCH-UNIDROIT-UNCITRAL

Tripartite Annual Co-ordination Meeting Vienna, Austria > 1|4 April 2015

Meeting on the analysis of the 1996 Child Protection and 2007 Maintenance Conventions Lima, Peru > 30 April 2015

HCCH-UNIDROIT-UNCITRAL

Tripartite Annual Co-ordination Meeting Vienna, Austria > 1|4 April 2015 Seminar on Parental Care and the Best Interests of the Child in Muslim Countries Rabat, Morocco > 24|25 April 2015 Training for judges and prosecutors on the 1996 Child Protection and 2007 Maintenance Conventions Lima, Peru April > 23 April 2015 Budget Meeting / Working Group on Financial Matters and Budgetary Practices The Hague, the Netherlands

ACTIVITIES

HCCH MEETINGS 4 > 18|21 May 2015

Meetings on the 2007 Maintenance Convention, the iSupport Project and Child Protection projects with the Department of Justice & UNDOC Vienna, Austria > 22 May 2015 Annual PIL Seminar organised by the Complutense University Madrid, Spain > 26|27 May 2015 Seminar on the Choice of Court Convention organised by the Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Catalonia Barcelona, Spain > 17|19 May 2015 Symposium on Surrogacy organised by the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML) London, United Kingdom > 21|22 May 2015 Judicial training on the 1980 Child Abduction Convention Cordoba, Argentina > 26|30 May 2015 UNCITRAL 47th Session of the Working Group V on Insolvency Law New York, U.S.A. > 28|29 May 2015 German-Swiss Symposium on Mediation – MiKK e.V. – Mediation bei Internationale Kindschaftskonflikten (Mediation in International Conflicts Involving Parents and Children) Bern, Switzerland

> 28|29 May 2015 German-Swiss Symposium on Mediation – MiKK e.V. – Mediation bei Internationale Kindschaftskonflikten (Mediation in International Conflicts Involving Parents and Children) Bern, Switzerland > 11 May 2015 Working Group on e-Law (e-Justice) at the Council of the European Union Brussels, Belgium > 21 May 2015 Meeting on the 2005 Choice of Court Convention – Foundation for Research in Law and Business Madrid, Spain > 25|29 May 2015 St Petersburg International Legal Forum St Petersburg, Russian Federation > 27|29 May 2015 Second Working Group Session of the Iberoamerican Judicial Summit / International Judicial Co-operation Working Group Bogotá, Colombia May > 21 May 2015 Council of Diplomatic Representatives The Hague, The Netherlands ACTIVITIES HCCH MEETINGS 5annual report 2015 rapport annuel 2524 From 8 to 12 June 2015, the HCCH convened a meeting of a Special Commission to review the practical operation of the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention. This Convention establishes safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoption takes place in the best interests of the child. Special Commissions of this type, which are held periodically, are convened to assess and improve the operation of the Conventions they relate to. On this occasion, more than 255 experts, representing 74 countries and 18 international organisations, participated and discussed a broad range of current issues concerning the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention. Over four days, participants deliberated, for example, the achievements and the challenges in the implementation of the Convention 20 years after it entered into force; the concept of habitual residence in relation to the Convention; the adoption of children with special needs; post-adoption support; co-operation amongst States; issues of procedure; and the use of modern technologies in adoption.

for example, the achievements and the challenges in the implementation of the Convention 20 years after it entered into force; the concept of habitual residence in relation to the Convention; the adoption of children with special needs; post-adoption support; co-operation amongst States; issues of procedure; and the use of modern technologies in adoption. Providing a unique forum for the authorities of the Contracting States, and for States considering joining the Convention, participants eagerly shared their concerns and experiences regarding the interpretation and application of the instrument. As a result, the Special Commission recommended that, amongst other matters, work should continue to develop further the guidance on habitual residence and to develop a number of model forms designed to facilitate the intercountry adoption process. The Special Commission also recommended that the Experts’ Group on the Financial Aspects of Intercountry Adoption and the Working Group on Preventing and Addressing Illicit Practices continue their work. New features introduced at this Special Commission included: preparatory training for new States Parties to the Convention, or States considering joining the Convention, prior to the meeting; interactive roundtable sessions; elective concurrent sessions on a number of topics; and a new user-friendly format for fact sheets. The Special Commission welcomed two new States Parties (Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire) and applauded a "Declaration on the need to develop a harmonised framework for the adoption of children in Africa", submitted by the African delegations present. Participants further agreed that for the benefit of future States Parties, the Permanent Bureau should develop practical guidance on developing a national legal framework for adoption. Finally, the participants recognised once more the great value of the Hague Conference’s Intercountry Adoption Technical Assistance Programme ("ICATAP"), which provides critical support to States in the implementation and operation of the Convention. June > 11|13 June 2015 Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) 2015 Annual Meeting – The Hague Institute for Global Justice & International Institute of Social Studies The Hague, the Netherlands > 22|27 June 2015

HCCH Asia Pacific week:

Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) 2015 Annual Meeting – The Hague Institute for Global Justice & International Institute of Social Studies The Hague, the Netherlands > 22|27 June 2015

HCCH Asia Pacific week: • Symposium: Towards the Well-Being of the Child through the Hague Child Abduction and

Protection of Children Conventions Macao, SAR People’s Republic of China • “ A Judicial Studies Programme & HCCH Seminar – The Hochelaga Lectures 2015: The Judiciary’s Role in Safeguarding the Well-being of the Child”. Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China

• Securities Convention Event Beijing, China > 4|5 June 2015 22nd Congress of the International

Union of Judicial Officers Madrid, Spain > 1|4 June 2015 Meeting of the International Law Institute on the role of International Organisations, in particular UNCITRAL, UNIDROIT and the HCCH Washington DC, U.S.A. > 17|18 June 2015 Conference on Jurisdiction & Dispute Resolution in the Internet Era Geneva, Switzerland June > 15|17 June 2015

Regional Meeting: International

Family Law, Legal Co-operation and Commerce: Promoting Human Rights and cross-border Trade in the Caribbean through Hague Conventions Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago > 8|12 June 2015 Special Commission on the Practical Operation of the 1993 Intercountry Adoption Convention The Hague, the Netherlands

ACTIVITIES

HCCH MEETINGS

6 SPECIAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE PRACTICAL OPERATION OF THE 1993 INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION CONVENTIONannual report 2015 rapport annuel 27 annual report 2015 rapport annuel 26 > 11 September 2015 Seminar on human rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy Paris, France

OPERATION OF THE 1993 INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION CONVENTIONannual report 2015 rapport annuel 27 annual report 2015 rapport annuel 26 > 11 September 2015 Seminar on human rights and ethical issues related to surrogacy Paris, France > 14 September 2015 Seminar on Commercial Private International Law in East & Southern Africa Johannesburg, South Africa

> 21|22 September 2015 Meeting with the Council of Europe Administrative Tribunal Strasbourg, France

> 23|25 September 2015 Academy of European Law “ Annual Conference on European Family Law” Trier, Germany

> 23|25 September 2015 Iberoamerican Summit Workshop on international judicial co-operation Panama City, Panama

> 8 September 2015 Working Group on e-Law (e-Justice) – Expert Group on Videoconferencing Brussels, Belgiu