Hague Convention 1980 40th Anniversary with Tribute to Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE, QC (Hon)
This webinar was delivered live on Monday 26th October 2020. It was chaired by Carolina Marín Pedreño (England). The panel of speakers were Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of The Hague Conference (HCCH); Véronique Chauveau, Ms Gérardine Goh Escolar, First Secretary HCCH; Edwin Freedman; The Rt Hon Sir Mathew Thorpe Retired Lord Justice of Court of Appeal and previous International Liaison Judge and international Mediator
The webinar began with a tribute to Anne-Marie Hutchinson OBE, QC (Hon), delivered by IAFL Past President Cheryl Hepfer
On 1 December 1983, the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction entered into force, with Canada, France and Portugal as the first three Contracting States. 40 years later, more than 90 States have joined the Convention making it one of the most important international instruments in force for the protection of the interests of children in cross-border family disputes. In addition to being an essential tool for protecting children from the harmful effects of wrongful removal from their State of habitual residence, it is often cited as one of the primary multilateral instruments non-Contracting States should join as a means of ensuring compliance with the United Nations Convention of 20 November 1989 on the Rights of the Child.
The webinar celebrated this important and special anniversary, remembering that international child protection and legal security for international families must prevail.
