2019 Hague Judgments Convention ratified by the UK
Published on 11th Sep 2024
Convention provides greater certainty for the enforcement and recognition of judgments between the UK and the EU
The 2019 Hague Judgments Convention provides a framework for cross-border recognition and enforcement of judgments in a wide range of cases. In contrast, the 2005 Hague Choice on Courts Agreement Convention is only in respect of judgments rendered in disputes governed by exclusive jurisdiction clauses.
Effective July 2025
On 27 June, the UK ratified the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention. The convention will come into force just over a year later on 1 July 2025 and apply to judgments in proceedings that commence following that date.
This follows a statutory instrument made on 24 May 2024 which makes various provisions in the English civil procedure rules to facilitate the entry into force of the convention.
The convention is currently in force between the EU (apart from Denmark) and Ukraine only, but other countries have signed up and are in the process of ratifying it (including the US, Russia, and Israel).
Osborne Clarke comment
The 2019 convention's entry into force will, in particular, further reduce the impact of the UK leaving the European enforcement regime as part of Brexit and will provide greater certainty (and simplify procedures) in respect of the enforcement and recognition of judgments between the UK and the EU (and a growing list of other parties to the convention).
