Hague Conference on Private International Law

The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH, for Hague Conference/Conférence de La Haye) is the preeminent organisation in the area of private international law. The HCCH was formed in 1893 to "work for the progressive unification of the rules of private international law". It has pursued this goal by creating and assisting in the implementation of multilateral conventions promoting the harmonisation of conflict of laws principles in diverse subject matters within private international law. The Conference has developed thirty-eight international conventions since its Statute was completed in 1951. A significant number of these Conventions are currently in force and mostly focus on conflict of laws rules, administrative cooperation, jurisdiction and applicable law, e.g. on the law applicable to maintenance obligations, accidents in road traffic, the liability products, matrimonial or inheritance. (See List of Hague Conventions on Private International Law.) HCCH Conventions and instruments are open for adoption or ratification by non-members of HCCH.