ukpga/2020/24 — Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Act 2020

Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Act 2020 2020 c. 24 An Act to implement the Hague Conventions of 1996, 2005 and 2007 and to provide for the implementation of other international agreements on private international law. [14th December 2020] B e it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:— Implementation of international agreements Implementation of the 1996, 2005 and 2007 Hague Conventions 1 1 In the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 (“ the 1982 Act ”), in subsection (1) of section 1 (interpretation of references to the Conventions etc) insert at the appropriate place— “ the 1996 Hague Convention ” means the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children concluded on 19th October 1996 at The Hague; . 2 Before section 4 of the 1982 Act (and before the italic heading preceding that section) insert— The 1996 Hague Convention to have the force of law 3C 1 The 1996 Hague Convention shall have the force of law in the United Kingdom. 2 For the purposes of this Act the 1996 Hague Convention is to be read together with the following declarations made by the United Kingdom on 27th July 2012— a the declaration under Article 29 of the Convention, concerning applicable territorial units; b the declaration under Article 34 of the Convention, concerning communication of requests under paragraph 1 of that Article; c the declaration under Article 54 of the Convention, concerning the use of French. 3 For convenience of reference there are set out in Schedules 3D and 3E respectively— a the English text of the 1996 Hague Convention; b the declarations referred to in subsection (2). The 2005 Hague Convention to have the force of law 3D 1 The 2005 Hague Convention shall have the force of law in the United Kingdom. 2 For the purposes of this Act the 2005 Hague Convention is to be read together with any reservations or declarations made by the United Kingdom at the time of the approval of the Convention. 3 For convenience of reference the English text of the 2005 Hague Convention is set out in Schedule 3F. The 2007 Hague Convention to have the force of law 3E 1 The 2007 Hague Convention shall have the force of law in the United Kingdom. 2 For the purposes of this Act the 2007 Hague Convention is to be read together with any reservations or declarations made by the United Kingdom at the time of the approval of the Convention. 3 For convenience of reference the English text of the 2007 Hague Convention is set out in Schedule 3G. 3 Before Schedule 4 to the 1982 Act insert (as Schedules 3D to 3G) the Schedules set out in Schedules 1 to 4 to this Act. 4 Schedule 5 (consequential and transitional provision) has effect. Implementation of other agreements on private international law 2 1 The appropriate national authority may make regulations for the purpose of, or in connection with, implementing any international agreement, as it has effect from time to time, so far as relating to private international law (a “relevant international agreement”). 2 The appropriate national authority may make regulations for the purpose of, or in connection with, applying a relevant international agreement, with or without modifications, as between different jurisdictions within the United Kingdom. 3 The appropriate national authority may make regulations for the purpose of, or in connection with, giving effect to any arrangements made between— a Her Majesty's government in the United Kingdom, and b the government of a relevant territory, for applying a relevant international agreement, with or without modifications, as between the United Kingdom, or a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom, and that territory. 4 Regulations under subsections (1) to (3) may only be made during the operative period. 5 The operative period is the period of five years beginning with the day on which this Act is passed. 6 The appropriate national authority in relation to a part of the United Kingdom may by regulations extend the operative period for that part of the United Kingdom by a period of five years. 7 The power under subsection (6) may be exercised more than once. 8 The operative period may not be extended for any part of the United Kingdom after it has expired in relation to that part of the United Kingdom. 9 Regulations under this section may make— a consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provision; b different provision for different purposes or for different parts of the United Kingdom. 10 Regulations under subsections (1) to (3) may include provision about— a enforcement of obligations arising under or by virtue of the regulations; b sharing of information; c legal aid. 11 Schedule 6 makes further provision about regulations under this section. 12 In this section— “ appropriate national authority ” means— in relation to England and Wales, the Secretary of State; in relation to Scotland— the Scottish Ministers, or the Secretary of State acting with the consent of the Scottish Ministers; in relation to Northern Ireland— a Northern Ireland department, or the Secretary of State acting with the consent of a Northern Ireland department; “ international agreement ” means a convention, treaty or other agreement to which the United Kingdom is, or is expected to become, a party; “ private international law ” includes rules and other provisions about— jurisdiction and applicable law; recognition and enforcement in one country or territory of any of the following that originate in another country or territory— a judgment, order or arbitral award; an agreement, decision or authentic instrument determining or otherwise relating to rights and obligations; co-operation between judicial or other authorities in different countries or territories in relation to— service of documents, taking of evidence and other procedures, or anything within paragraph (a) or (b); “ relevant international agreement ” has the meaning given in subsection (1); “ relevant territory ” means— the Isle of Man; any of the Channel Islands; a British overseas territory. 13 This section and Schedule 6 have effect, with the following modifications, in relation to a model law adopted by an international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member as they have effect in relation to an international agreement to which the United Kingdom is, or is expected to become, a party. The modifications are— a a reference in this section or that Schedule to implementing or applying a relevant international agreement is to be read as a reference to giving effect to the model law (with or without modifications); b subsection (1) is to be read as if the words “as revised from time to time” were substituted for the words “as it has effect from time to time”. General Crown application 3 1 The amendments of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 made by this Act bind the Crown in accordance with the provisions of section 51 of that Act. 2 Regulations under section 2 may make provision binding the Crown. 3 The reference to the Crown in subsection (2) does not include— a Her Majesty in Her private capacity, b Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, or c the Duke of Cornwall. Extent, commencement and short title 4 1 This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 2 Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for section 2 (including Schedule 6) and section 3(2) and (3) to extend, with or without modifications, to the Isle of Man. 3 Sections 1 and 3(1) and Schedules 1 to 5 come into force on IP completion day. 4 The rest of this Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed. 5 This Act may be cited as the Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Act 2020. SCHEDULES SCHEDULE 1 Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 3D to the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 Section 1 SCHEDULE 3D Text of the 1996 Hague Convention Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (Concluded 19 October 1996) The States signatory to the present Convention, Considering the need to improve the protection of children in international situations, Wishing to avoid conflicts between their legal systems in respect of jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures for the protection of children, Recalling the importance of international co-operation for the protection of children, Confirming that the best interests of the child are to be a primary consideration, Noting that the Convention of 5 October 1961 concerning the powers of authorities and the law applicable in respect of the protection of minors is in need of revision, Desiring to establish common provisions to this effect, taking into account the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989, Have agreed on the following provisions— CHAPTER I SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION Article 1 1 The objects of the present Convention are— a to determine the State whose authorities have jurisdiction to take measures directed to the protection of the person or property of the child; b to determine which law is to be applied by such authorities in exercising their jurisdiction; c to determine the law applicable to parental responsibility; d to provide for the recognition and enforcement of such measures of protection in all Contracting States; e to establish such co-operation between the authorities of the Contracting States as may be necessary in order to achieve the purposes of this Convention. 2 For the purposes of this Convention, the term ‘parental responsibility’ includes parental authority, or any analogous relationship of authority determining the rights, powers and responsibilities of parents, guardians or other legal representatives in relation to the person or the property of the child. Article 2 The Convention applies to children from the moment of their birth until they reach the age of 18 years. Article 3 The measures referred to in Article 1 may deal in particular with— a the attribution, exercise, termination or restriction of parental responsibility, as well as its delegation; b rights of custody, including rights relating to the care of the person of the child and, in particular, the right to determine the child's place of residence, as well as rights of access including the right to take a child for a limited period of time to a place other than the child's habitual residence; c guardianship, curatorship and analogous institutions; d the designation and functions of any person or body having charge of the child's person or property, representing or assisting the child; e the placement of the child in a foster family or in institutional care, or the provision of care by kafala or an analogous institution; f the supervision by a public authority of the care of a child by any person having charge of the child; g the administration, conservation or disposal of the child's property. Article 4 The Convention does not apply to— a the establishment or contesting of a parent-child relationship; b decisions on adoption, measures preparatory to adoption, or the annulment or revocation of adoption; c the name and forenames of the child; d emancipation; e maintenance obligations; f trusts or succession; g social security; h public measures of a general nature in matters of education or health; i measures taken as a result of penal offences committed by children; j decisions on the right of asylum and on immigration. CHAPTER II JURISDICTION Article 5 1 The judicial or administrative authorities of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child have jurisdiction to take measures directed to the protection of the child's person or property. 2 Subject to Article 7, in case of a change of the child's habitual residence to another Contracting State, the authorities of the State of the new habitual residence have jurisdiction. Article 6 1 For refugee children and children who, due to disturbances occurring in their country, are internationally displaced, the authorities of the Contracting State on the territory of which these children are present as a result of their displacement have the jurisdiction provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 5. 2 The provisions of the preceding paragraph also apply to children whose habitual residence cannot be established. Article 7 1 In case of wrongful removal or retention of the child, the authorities of the Contracting State in which the child was habitually resident immediately before the removal or retention keep their jurisdiction until the child has acquired a habitual residence in another State, and a each person, institution or other body having rights of custody has acquiesced in the removal or retention; or b the child has resided in that other State for a period of at least one year after the person, institution or other body having rights of custody has or should have had knowledge of the whereabouts of the child, no request for return lodged within that period is still pending, and the child is settled in his or her new environment. 2 The removal or the retention of a child is to be considered wrongful where— a it is in breach of rights of custody attributed to a person, an institution or any other body, either jointly or alone, under the law of the State in which the child was habitually resident immediately before the removal or retention; and b at the time of removal or retention those rights were actually exercised, either jointly or alone, or would have been so exercised but for the removal or retention. The rights of custody mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above, may arise in particular by operation of law or by reason of a judicial or administrative decision, or by reason of an agreement having legal effect under the law of that State. 3 So long as the authorities first mentioned in paragraph 1 keep their jurisdiction, the authorities of the Contracting State to which the child has been removed or in which he or she has been retained can take only such urgent measures under Article 11 as are necessary for the protection of the person or property of the child. Article 8 1 By way of exception, the authority of a Contracting State having jurisdiction under Article 5 or 6, if it considers that the authority of another Contracting State would be better placed in the particular case to assess the best interests of the child, may either — request that other authority, directly or with the assistance of the Central Authority of its State, to assume jurisdiction to take such measures of protection as it considers to be necessary, or — suspend consideration of the case and invite the parties to introduce such a request before the authority of that other State. 2 The Contracting States whose authorities may be addressed as provided in the preceding paragraph are— a a State of which the child is a national, b a State in which property of the child is located, c a State whose authorities are seised of an application for divorce or legal separation of the child's parents, or for annulment of their marriage, d a State with which the child has a substantial connection. 3 The authorities concerned may proceed to an exchange of views. 4 The authority addressed as provided in paragraph 1 may assume jurisdiction, in place of the authority having jurisdiction under Article 5 or 6, if it considers that this is in the child's best interests. Article 9 1 If the authorities of a Contracting State referred to in Article 8, paragraph 2, consider that they are better placed in the particular case to assess the child's best interests, they may either — request the competent authority of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child, directly or with the assistance of the Central Authority of that State, that they be authorised to exercise jurisdiction to take the measures of protection which they consider to be necessary, or — invite the parties to introduce such a request before the authority of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child. 2 The authorities concerned may proceed to an exchange of views. 3 The authority initiating the request may exercise jurisdiction in place of the authority of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child only if the latter authority has accepted the request. Article 10 1 Without prejudice to Articles 5 to 9, the authorities of a Contracting State exercising jurisdiction to decide upon an application for divorce or legal separation of the parents of a child habitually resident in another Contracting State, or for annulment of their marriage, may, if the law of their State so provides, take measures directed to the protection of the person or property of such child if— a at the time of commencement of the proceedings, one of his or her parents habitually resides in that State and one of them has parental responsibility in relation to the child, and b the jurisdiction of these authorities to take such measures has been accepted by the parents, as well as by any other person who has parental responsibility in relation to the child, and is in the best interests of the child. 2 The jurisdiction provided for by paragraph 1 to take measures for the protection of the child ceases as soon as the decision allowing or refusing the application for divorce, legal separation or annulment of the marriage has become final, or the proceedings have come to an end for another reason. Article 11 1 In all cases of urgency, the authorities of any Contracting State in whose territory the child or property belonging to the child is present have jurisdiction to take any necessary measures of protection. 2 The measures taken under the preceding paragraph with regard to a child habitually resident in a Contracting State shall lapse as soon as the authorities which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 have taken the measures required by the situation. 3 The measures taken under paragraph 1 with regard to a child who is habitually resident in a non-Contracting State shall lapse in each Contracting State as soon as measures required by the situation and taken by the authorities of another State are recognised in the Contracting State in question. Article 12 1 Subject to Article 7, the authorities of a Contracting State in whose territory the child or property belonging to the child is present have jurisdiction to take measures of a provisional character for the protection of the person or property of the child which have a territorial effect limited to the State in question, in so far as such measures are not incompatible with measures already taken by authorities which have jurisdiction under Article 5 to 10. 2 The measures taken under the preceding paragraph with regard to a child habitually resident in a Contracting State shall lapse as soon as the authorities which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 have taken a decision in respect of the measures of protection which may be required by the situation. 3 The measures taken under paragraph 1 with regard to a child who is habitually resident in a non-Contracting State shall lapse in the Contracting State where the measures were taken as soon as measures required by the situation and taken by the authorities of another State are recognised in the Contracting State in question. Article 13 1 The authorities of a Contracting State which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 to take measures for the protection of the person or property of the child must abstain from exercising this jurisdiction if, at the time of the commencement of the proceedings, corresponding measures have been requested from the authorities of another Contracting State having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 at the time of the request and are still under consideration. 2 The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not apply if the authorities before whom the request for measures was initially introduced have declined jurisdiction. Article 14 The measures taken in application of Articles 5 to 10 remain in force according to their terms, even if a change of circumstances has eliminated the basis upon which jurisdiction was founded, so long as the authorities which have jurisdiction under the Convention have not modified, replaced or terminated such measures. CHAPTER III APPLICABLE LAW Article 15 1 In exercising their jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapter II, the authorities of the Contracting States shall apply their own law. 2 However, in so far as the protection of the person or the property of the child requires, they may exceptionally apply or take into consideration the law of another State with which the situation has a substantial connection. 3 If the child's habitual residence changes to another Contracting State, the law of that other State governs, from the time of the change, the conditions of application of the measures taken in the State of the former habitual residence. Article 16 1 The attribution or extinction of parental responsibility by operation of law, without the intervention of a judicial or administrative authority, is governed by the law of the State of the habitual residence of the child. 2 The attribution or extinction of parental responsibility by an agreement or a unilateral act, without intervention of a judicial or administrative authority, is governed by the law of the State of the child's habitual residence at the time when the agreement or unilateral act takes effect. 3 Parental responsibility which exists under the law of the State of the child's habitual residence subsists after a change of that habitual residence to another State. 4 If the child's habitual residence changes, the attribution of parental responsibilty by operation of law to a person who does not already have such responsibility is governed by the law of the State of the new habitual residence. Article 17 The exercise of parental responsibility is governed by the law of the State of the child's habitual residence. If the child's habitual residence changes, it is governed by the law of the State of the new habitual residence. Article 18 The parental responsibility referred to in Article 16 may be terminated, or the conditions of its exercise modified, by measures taken under this Convention. Article 19 1 The validity of a transaction entered into between a third party and another person who would be entitled to act as the child's legal representative under the law of the State where the transaction was concluded cannot be contested, and the third party cannot be held liable, on the sole ground that the other person was not entitled to act as the child's legal representative under the law designated by the provisions of this Chapter, unless the third party knew or should have known that the parental responsibility was governed by the latter law. 2 The preceding paragraph applies only if the transaction was entered into between persons present on the territory of the same State. Article 20 The provisions of this Chapter apply even if the law designated by them is the law of a non-Contracting State. Article 21 1 In this Chapter the term “ law ” means the law in force in a State other than its choice of law rules. 2 However, if the law applicable according to Article 16 is that of a non-Contracting State and if the choice of law rules of that State designate the law of another non-Contracting State which would apply its own law, the law of the latter State applies. If that other non-Contracting State would not apply its own law, the applicable law is that designated by Article 16. Article 22 The application of the law designated by the provisions of this Chapter can be refused only if this application would be manifestly contrary to public policy, taking into account the best interests of the child. CHAPTER IV RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT Article 23 1 The measures taken by the authorities of a Contracting State shall be recognised by operation of law in all other Contracting States. 2 Recognition may however be refused— a if the measure was taken by an authority whose jurisdiction was not based on one of the grounds provided for in Chapter II; b if the measure was taken, except in a case of urgency, in the context of a judicial or administrative proceeding, without the child having been provided the opportunity to be heard, in violation of fundamental principles of procedure of the requested State; c on the request of any person claiming that the measure infringes his or her parental responsibility, if such measure was taken, except in a case of urgency, without such person having been given an opportunity to be heard; d if such recognition is manifestly contrary to public policy of the requested State, taking into account the best interests of the child; e if the measure is incompatible with a later measure taken in the non-Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child, where this later measure fulfils the requirements for recognition in the requested State; f if the procedure provided in Article 33 has not been complied with. Article 24 1 Without prejudice to Article 23, paragraph 1, any interested person may request from the competent authorities of a Contracting State that they decide on the recognition or non-recognition of a measure taken in another Contracting State. The procedure is governed by the law of the requested State. Article 25 The authority of the requested State is bound by the findings of fact on which the authority of the State where the measure was taken based its jurisdiction. Article 26 1 If measures taken in one Contracting State and enforceable there require enforcement in another Contracting State, they shall, upon request by an interested party, be declared enforceable or registered for the purpose of enforcement in that other State according to the procedure provided in the law of the latter State. 2 Each Contracting State shall apply to the declaration of enforceability or registration a simple and rapid procedure. 3 The declaration of enforceability or registration may be refused only for one of the reasons set out in Article 23, paragraph 2. Article 27 Without prejudice to such review as is necessary in the application of the preceding Articles, there shall be no review of the merits of the measure taken. Article 28 Measures taken in one Contracting State and declared enforceable, or registered for the purpose of enforcement, in another Contracting State shall be enforced in the latter State as if they had been taken by the authorities of that State. Enforcement takes place in accordance with the law of the requested State to the extent provided by such law, taking into consideration the best interests of the child. CHAPTER V CO-OPERATION Article 29 1 A Contracting State shall designate a Central Authority to discharge the duties which are imposed by the Convention on such authorities. 2 Federal States, States with more than one system of law or States having autonomous territorial units shall be free to appoint more than one Central Authority and to specify the territorial or personal extent of their functions. Where a State has appointed more than one Central Authority, it shall designate the Central Authority to which any communication may be addressed for transmission to the appropriate Central Authority within that State. Article 30 1 Central Authorities shall co-operate with each other and promote co-operation amongst the competent authorities in their States to achieve the purposes of the Convention. 2 They shall, in connection with the application of the Convention, take appropriate steps to provide information as to the laws of, and services available in, their States relating to the protection of children. Article 31 1 The Central Authority of a Contracting State, either directly or through public authorities or other bodies, shall take all appropriate steps to— a facilitate the communications and offer the assistance provided for in Articles 8 and 9 and in this Chapter; b facilitate, by mediation, conciliation or similar means, agreed solutions for the protection of the person or property of the child in situations to which the Convention applies; c provide, on the request of a competent authority of another Contracting State, assistance in discovering the whereabouts of a child where it appears that the child may be present and in need of protection within the territory of the requested State. Article 32 On a request made with supporting reasons by the Central Authority or other competent authority of any Contracting State with which the child has a substantial connection, the Central Authority of the Contracting State in which the child is habitually resident and present may, directly or through public authorities or other bodies, a provide a report on the situation of the child; b request the competent authority of its State to consider the need to take measures for the protection of the person or property of the child. Article 33 1 If an authority having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 contemplates the placement of the child in a foster family or institutional care, or the provision of care by kafala or an analogous institution, and if such placement or such provision of care is to take place in another Contracting State, it shall first consult with the Central Authority or other competent authority of the latter State. To that effect it shall transmit a report on the child together with the reasons for the proposed placement or provision of care. 2 The decision on the placement or provision of care may be made in the requesting State only if the Central Authority or other competent authority of the requested State has consented to the placement or provision of care, taking into account the child's best interests. Article 34 1 Where a measure of protection is contemplated, the competent authorities under the Convention, if the situation of the child so requires, may request any authority of another Contracting State which has information relevant to the protection of the child to communicate such information. 2 A Contracting State may declare that requests under paragraph 1 shall be communicated to its authorities only through its Central Authority. Article 35 1 The competent authorities of a Contracting State may request the authorities of another Contracting State to assist in the implementation of measures of protection taken under this Convention, especially in securing the effective exercise of rights of access as well as of the right to maintain direct contacts on a regular basis. 2 The authorities of a Contracting State in which the child does not habitually reside may, on the request of a parent residing in that State who is seeking to obtain or to maintain access to the child, gather information or evidence and may make a finding on the suitability of that parent to exercise access and on the conditions under which access is to be exercised. An authority exercising jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 to determine an application concerning access to the child, shall admit and consider such information, evidence and finding before reaching its decision. 3 An authority having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 to decide on access may adjourn a proceeding pending the outcome of a request made under paragraph 2, in particular, when it is considering an application to restrict or terminate access rights granted in the State of the child's former habitual residence. 4 Nothing in this Article shall prevent an authority having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 from taking provisional measures pending the outcome of the request made under paragraph 2. Article 36 In any case where the child is exposed to a serious danger, the competent authorities of the Contracting State where measures for the protection of the child have been taken or are under consideration, if they are informed that the child's residence has changed to, or that the child is present in another State, shall inform the authorities of that other State about the danger involved and the measures taken or under consideration. Article 37 An authority shall not request or transmit any information under this Chapter if to do so would, in its opinion, be likely to place the child's person or property in danger, or constitute a serious threat to the liberty or life of a member of the child's family. Article 38 1 Without prejudice to the possibility of imposing reasonable charges for the provision of services, Central Authorities and other public authorities of Contracting States shall bear their own costs in applying the provisions of this Chapter. 2 Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or more other Contracting States concerning the allocation of charges. Article 39 Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or more other Contracting States with a view to improving the application of this Chapter in their mutual relations. The States which have concluded such an agreement shall transmit a copy to the depositary of the Convention. CHAPTER VI GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 40 1 The authorities of the Contracting State of the child's habitual residence, or of the Contracting State where a measure of protection has been taken, may deliver to the person having parental responsibility or to the person entrusted with protection of the child's person or property, at his or her request, a certificate indicating the capacity in which that person is entitled to act and the powers conferred upon him or her. 2 The capacity and powers indicated in the certificate are presumed to be vested in that person, in the absence of proof to the contrary. 3 Each Contracting State shall designate the authorities competent to draw up the certificate. Article 41 Personal data gathered or transmitted under the Convention shall be used only for the purposes for which they were gathered or transmitted. Article 42 The authorities to whom information is transmitted shall ensure its confidentiality, in accordance with the law of their State. Article 43 All documents forwarded or delivered under this Convention shall be exempt from legalisation or any analogous formality. Article 44 Each Contracting State may designate the authorities to which requests under Articles 8, 9 and 33 are to be addressed. Article 45 1 The designations referred to in Articles 29 and 44 shall be communicated to the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. 2 The declaration referred to in Article 34, paragraph 2, shall be made to the depositary of the Convention. Article 46 A Contracting State in which different systems of law or sets of rules of law apply to the protection of the child and his or her property shall not be bound to apply the rules of the Convention to conflicts solely between such different systems or sets of rules of law. Article 47 In relation to a State in which two or more systems of law or sets of rules of law with regard to any matter dealt with in this Convention apply in different territorial units— 1 any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be construed as referring to habitual residence in a territorial unit; 2 any reference to the presence of the child in that State shall be construed as referring to presence in a territorial unit; 3 any reference to the location of property of the child in that State shall be construed as referring to location of property of the child in a territorial unit; 4 any reference to the State of which the child is a national shall be construed as referring to the territorial unit designated by the law of that State or, in the absence of relevant rules, to the territorial unit with which the child has the closest connection; 5 any reference to the State whose authorities are seised of an application for divorce or legal separation of the child's parents, or for annulment of their marriage, shall be construed as referring to the territorial unit whose authorities are seised of such application; 6 any reference to the State with which the child has a substantial connection shall be construed as referring to the territorial unit with which the child has such connection; 7 any reference to the State to which the child has been removed or in which he or she has been retained shall be construed as referring to the relevant territorial unit to which the child has been removed or in which he or she has been retained; 8 any reference to bodies or authorities of that State, other than Central Authorities, shall be construed as referring to those authorised to act in the relevant territorial unit; 9 any reference to the law or procedure or authority of the State in which a measure has been taken shall be construed as referring to the law or procedure or authority of the territorial unit in which such measure was taken; 10 any reference to the law or procedure or authority of the requested State shall be construed as referring to the law or procedure or authority of the territorial unit in which recognition or enforcement is sought. Article 48 For the purpose of identifying the applicable law under Chapter III, in relation to a State which comprises two or more territorial units each of which has its own system of law or set of rules of law in respect of matters covered by this Convention, the following rules apply— a if there are rules in force in such a State identifying which territorial unit's law is applicable, the law of that unit applies; b in the absence of such rules, the law of the relevant territorial unit as defined in Article 47 applies. Article 49 For the purpose of identifying the applicable law under Chapter III, in relation to a State which has two or more systems of law or sets of rules of law applicable to different categories of persons in respect of matters covered by this Convention, the following rules apply— a if there are rules in force in such a State identifying which among such laws applies, that law applies; b in the absence of such rules, the law of the system or the set of rules of law with which the child has the closest connection applies. Article 50 This Convention shall not affect the application of the Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, as between Parties to both Conventions. Nothing, however, precludes provisions of this Convention from being invoked for the purposes of obtaining the return of a child who has been wrongfully removed or retained or of organising access rights. Article 51 In relations between the Contracting States this Convention replaces the Convention of 5 October 1961 concerning the powers of authorities and the law applicable in respect of the protection of minors, and the Convention governing the guardianship of minors, signed at The Hague 12 June 1902, without prejudice to the recognition of measures taken under the Convention of 5 October 1961 mentioned above. Article 52 1 This Convention does not affect any international instrument to which Contracting States are Parties and which contains provisions on matters governed by the Convention, unless a contrary declaration is made by the States Parties to such instrument. 2 This Convention does not affect the possibility for one or more Contracting States to conclude agreements which contain, in respect of children habitually resident in any of the States Parties to such agreements, provisions on matters governed by this Convention. 3 Agreements to be concluded by one or more Contracting States on matters within the scope of this Convention do not affect, in the relationship of such States with other Contracting States, the application of the provisions of this Convention. 4 The preceding paragraphs also apply to uniform laws based on special ties of a regional or other nature between the States concerned. Article 53 1 The Convention shall apply to measures only if they are taken in a State after the Convention has entered into force for that State. 2 The Convention shall apply to the recognition and enforcement of measures taken after its entry into force as between the State where the measures have been taken and the requested State. Article 54 1 Any communication sent to the Central Authority or to another authority of a Contracting State shall be in the original language, and shall be accompanied by a translation into the official language or one of the official languages of the other State or, where that is not feasible, a translation into French or English. 2 However, a Contracting State may, by making a reservation in accordance with Article 60, object to the use of either French or English, but not both. Article 55 1 A Contracting State may, in accordance with Article 60, a reserve the jurisdiction of its authorities to take measures directed to the protection of property of a child situated on its territory; b reserve the right not to recognise any parental responsibility or measure in so far as it is incompatible with any measure taken by its authorities in relation to that property. 2 The reservation may be restricted to certain categories of property. Article 56 The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law shall at regular intervals convoke a Special Commission in order to review the practical operation of the Convention. CHAPTER VII FINAL CLAUSES Article 57 1 The Convention shall be open for signature by the States which were Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the time of its Eighteenth Session. 2 It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, depositary of the Convention. Article 58 1 Any other State may accede to the Convention after it has entered into force in accordance with Article 61, paragraph 1. 2 The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the depositary. 3 Such accession shall have effect only as regards the relations between the acceding State and those Contracting States which have not raised an objection to its accession in the six months after the receipt of the notification referred to in sub-paragraph b of Article 63. Such an objection may also be raised by States at the time when they ratify, accept or approve the Convention after an accession. Any such objection shall be notified to the depositary. Article 59 1 If a State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of law are applicable in relation to matters dealt with in this Convention, it may at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that the Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or only to one or more of them and may modify this declaration by submitting another declaration at any time. 2 Any such declaration shall be notified to the depositary and shall state expressly the territorial units to which the Convention applies. 3 If a State makes no declaration under this Article, the Convention is to extend to all territorial units of that State. Article 60 1 Any State may, not later than the time of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, or at the time of making a declaration in terms of Article 59, make one or both of the reservations provided for in Articles 54, paragraph 2, and 55. No other reservation shall be permitted. 2 Any State may at any time withdraw a reservation it has made. The withdrawal shall be notified to the depositary. 3 The reservation shall cease to have effect on the first day of the third calendar month after the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph. Article 61 1 The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the deposit of the third instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval referred to in Article 57. 2 Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force— a for each State ratifying, accepting or approving it subsequently, on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession; b for each State acceding, on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the expiration of the period of six months provided in Article 58, paragraph 3; c for a territorial unit to which the Convention has been extended in conformity with Article 59, on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the notification referred to in that Article. Article 62 1 A State Party to the Convention may denounce it by a notification in writing addressed to the depositary. The denunciation may be limited to certain territorial units to which the Convention applies. 2 The denunciation takes effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of twelve months after the notification is received by the depositary. Where a longer period for the denunciation to take effect is specified in the notification, the denunciation takes effect upon the expiration of such longer period. Article 63 The depositary shall notify the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the States which have acceded in accordance with Article 58 of the following— a the signatures, ratifications, acceptances and approvals referred to in Article 57; b the accessions and objections raised to accessions referred to in Article 58; c the date on which the Convention enters into force in accordance with Article 61; d the declarations referred to in Articles 34, paragraph 2, and 59; e the agreements referred to in Article 39; f the reservations referred to in Article 54, paragraph 2, and 55 and the withdrawals referred to in Article 60, paragraph 2; g the denunciations referred to in Article 62. In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention. Done at The Hague, on the 19th day of October 1996, in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through diplomatic channels, to each of the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the date of its Eighteenth Session. SCHEDULE 2 Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 3E to the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 Section 1 SCHEDULE 3E Declarations made by the United Kingdom in relation to the 1996 Hague Convention PART 1 Declaration concerning applicable territorial units In accordance with Article 29, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Government of the United Kingdom declares that it will interpret this paragraph as referring only to cases where the requesting Central Authority does not know to which applicable territorial unit their application should be addressed. In such cases the United Kingdom designates the Central Authority for England to transmit to the relevant Central Authority. PART 2 Declaration concerning communication of requests under paragraph 1 of Article 34 In accordance with Article 34, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Government of the United Kingdom declares that requests made under paragraph 1 of Article 34 shall be communicated to its authorities only through the relevant Central Authority. PART 3 Declaration concerning the use of French In accordance with Article 54, paragraph 2, of the Convention, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland declares that it objects to the use of French. SCHEDULE 3 Schedule to be inserted as Schedule 3F to the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 Section 1 SCHEDULE 3F Text of the 2005 Hague Convention Convention on Choice of Court Agreements (Concluded 30 June 2005) The States Parties to the present Convention, Desiring to promote international trade and investment through enhanced judicial co-operation, Believing that such co-operation can be enhanced by uniform rules on jurisdiction and on recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in civil or commercial matters, Believing that such enhanced co-operation requires in particular an international legal regime that provides certainty and ensures the effectiveness of exclusive choice of court agreements between parties to commercial transactions and that governs the recognition and enforcement of judgments resulting from proceedings based on such agreements, Have resolved to conclude this Convention and have agreed upon the following provisions— CHAPTER I SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS ARTICLE 1 Scope 1 This Convention shall apply in international cases to exclusive choice of court agreements concluded in civil or commercial matters. 2 For the purposes of Chapter II, a case is international unless the parties are resident in the same Contracting State and the relationship of the parties and all other elements relevant to the dispute, regardless of the location of the chosen court, are connected only with that State. 3 For the purposes of Chapter III, a case is international where recognition or enforcement of a foreign judgment is sought. Article 2 Exclusions from scope 1 This Convention shall not apply to exclusive choice of court agreements— a to which a natural person acting primarily for personal, family or household purposes (a consumer) is a party; b relating to contracts of employment, including collective agreements. 2 This Convention shall not apply to the following matters— a the status and legal capacity of natural persons; b maintenance obligations; c other family law matters, including matrimonial property regimes and other rights or obligations arising out of marriage or similar relationships; d wills and succession; e insolvency, composition and analogous matters; f the carriage of passengers and goods; g marine pollution, limitation of liability for maritime claims, general average, and emergency towage and salvage; h anti-trust (competition) matters; i liability for nuclear damage; j claims for personal injury brought by or on behalf of natural persons; k tort or delict claims for damage to tangible property that do not arise from a contractual relationship; l rights in rem in immovable property, and tenancies of immovable property; m the validity, nullity, or dissolution of legal persons, and the validity of decisions of their organs; n the validity of intellectual property rights other than copyright and related rights; o infringement of intellectual property rights other than copyright and related rights, except where infringement proceedings are brought for breach of a contract between the parties relating to such rights, or could have been brought for breach of that contract; p the validity of entries in public registers. 3 Notwithstanding paragraph 2, proceedings are not excluded from the scope of this Convention where a matter excluded under that paragraph arises merely as a preliminary question and not as an object of the proceedings. In particular, the mere fact that a matter excluded under paragraph 2 arises by way of defence does not exclude proceedings from the Convention, if that matter is not an object of the proceedings. 4 This Convention shall not apply to arbitration and related proceedings. 5 Proceedings are not excluded from the scope of this Convention by the mere fact that a State, including a government, a governmental agency or any person acting for a State, is a party thereto. 6 Nothing in this Convention shall affect privileges and immunities of States or of international organisations, in respect of themselves and of their property. Article 3 Exclusive choice of court agreements For the purposes of this Convention— a “ exclusive choice of court agreement ” means an agreement concluded by two or more parties that meets the requirements of paragraph (c) and designates, for the purpose of deciding disputes which have arisen or may arise in connection with a particular legal relationship, the courts of one Contracting State or one or more specific courts of one Contracting State to the exclusion of the jurisdiction of any other courts; b a choice of court agreement which designates the courts of one Contracting State or one or more specific courts of one Contracting State shall be deemed to be exclusive unless the parties have expressly provided otherwise; c an exclusive choice of court agreement must be concluded or documented— i in writing; or ii by any other means of communication which renders information accessible so as to be usable for subsequent reference; d an exclusive choice of court agreement that forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement independent of the other terms of the contract. The validity of the exclusive choice of court agreement cannot be contested solely on the ground that the contract is not valid. Article 4 Other definitions 1 In this Convention, “ judgment ” means any decision on the merits given by a court, whatever it may be called, including a decree or order, and a determination of costs or expenses by the court (including an officer of the court), provided that the determination relates to a decision on the merits which may be recognised or enforced under this Convention. An interim measure of protection is not a judgment. 2 For the purposes of this Convention, an entity or person other than a natural person shall be considered to be resident in the State— a where it has its statutory seat; b under whose law it was incorporated or formed; c where it has its central administration; or d where it has its principal place of business. CHAPTER II JURISDICTION Article 5 Jurisdiction of the chosen court 1 The court or courts of a Contracting State designated in an exclusive choice of court agreement shall have jurisdiction to decide a dispute to which the agreement applies, unless the agreement is null and void under the law of that State. 2 A court that has jurisdiction under paragraph 1 shall not decline to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that the dispute should be decided in a court of another State. 3 The preceding paragraphs shall not affect rules— a on jurisdiction related to subject matter or to the value of the claim; b on the internal allocation of jurisdiction among the courts of a Contracting State. However, where the chosen court has discretion as to whether to transfer a case, due consideration should be given to the choice of the parties. Article 6 Obligations of a court not chosen A court of a Contracting State other than that of the chosen court shall suspend or dismiss proceedings to which an exclusive choice of court agreement applies unless— a the agreement is null and void under the law of the State of the chosen court; b a party lacked the capacity to conclude the agreement under the law of the State of the court seised; c giving effect to the agreement would lead to a manifest injustice or would be manifestly contrary to the public policy of the State of the court seised; d for exceptional reasons beyond the control of the parties, the agreement cannot reasonably be performed; or e the chosen court has decided not to hear the case. Article 7 Interim measures of protection Interim measures of protection are not governed by this Convention. This Convention neither requires nor precludes the grant, refusal or termination of interim measures of protection by a court of a Contracting State and does not affect whether or not a party may request or a court should grant, refuse or terminate such measures. CHAPTER III RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT Article 8 Registration and enforcement 1 A judgment given by a court of a Contracting State designated in an exclusive choice of court agreement shall be recognised and enforced in other Contracting States in accordance with this Chapter. Recognition or enforcement may be refused only on the grounds specified in this Convention. 2 Without prejudice to such review as is necessary for the application of the provisions of this Chapter, there shall be no review of the merits of the judgment given by the court of origin. The court addressed shall be bound by the findings of fact on which the court of origin based its jurisdiction, unless the judgment was given by default. 3 A judgment shall be recognised only if it has effect in the State of origin, and shall be enforced only if it is enforceable in the State of origin. 4 Recognition or enforcement may be postponed or refused if the judgment is the subject of review in the State of origin or if the time limit for seeking ordinary review has not expired. A refusal does not prevent a subsequent application for recognition or enforcement of the judgment. 5 This Article shall also apply to a judgment given by a court of a Contracting State pursuant to a transfer of the case from the chosen court in that Contracting State as permitted by Article 5, paragraph 3. However, where the chosen court had discretion as to whether to transfer the case to another court, recognition or enforcement of the judgment may be refused against a party who objected to the transfer in a timely manner in the State of origin. Article 9 Refusal of recognition or enforcement Recognition or enforcement may be refused if— a the agreement was null and void under the law of the State of the chosen court, unless the chosen court has determined that the agreement is valid; b a party lacked the capacity to conclude the agreement under the law of the requested State; c the document which instituted the proceedings or an equivalent document, including the essential elements of the claim, i was not notified to the defendant in sufficient time and in such a way as to enable him to arrange for his defence, unless the defendant entered an appearance and presented his case without contesting notification in the court of origin, provided that the law of the State of origin permitted notification to be contested; or ii was notified to the defendant in the requested State in a manner that is incompatible with fundamental principles of the requested State concerning service of documents; d the judgment was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure; e recognition or enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with the public policy of the requested State, including situations where the specific proceedings leading to the judgment were incompatible with fundamental principles of procedural fairness of that State; f the judgment is inconsistent with a judgment given in the requested State in a dispute between the same parties; or g the judgment is inconsistent with an earlier judgment given in another State between the same parties on the same cause of action, provided that the earlier judgment fulfils the conditions necessary for its recognition in the requested State. Article 10 Preliminary questions 1 Where a matter excluded under Article 2, paragraph 2, or under Article 21, arose as a preliminary question, the ruling on that question shall not be recognised or enforced under this Convention. 2 Recognition or enforcement of a judgment may be refused if, and to the extent that, the judgment was based o