HAGUE AGAIN
We signed up to the Hague 19 convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments last January. You can find a pic on the internet of Lord Bellamy putting pen to paper in the presence of some very important people, and you will see two cups and saucers on the table but no biscuits. Presumably the consumption of drinks has been disclosed to someone.
I am sorry to dampen your excitement with the news that we cannot use Hague 19 quite yet. It has to be ratified (when it will be extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland) and will not come into force until 12 months later, when it will apply to judgments given in proceedings started thereafter. Ratification must await implementation of necessary legislation. Parts of it for England and Wales are the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2024 (SI 2024/595), which have just been laid and complement what will become the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments (2019 Hague Convention etc) Regulations 2024,
