Partner Wendy Hickey is the President of the Board for the US Friends of the Hague Conference, a non-profit geared toward raising funds for the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) is an intergovernmental organization that addresses the growing complexities of a more interconnected world. As national borders open and international mobility increases, both individuals and companies face legal challenges that span multiple jurisdictions. For over a century, the HCCH has been developing international legal frameworks aimed at ensuring legal certainty and security for people and businesses engaged in cross-border activities. The HCCH provides the tools to navigate the intricacies of international law, making it easier to manage personal and commercial affairs that extend beyond national borders.

At the heart of the HCCH’s mission is the development and servicing of multilateral legal instruments. These instruments, adopted by member and non-member states alike, help regulate personal, family, and commercial matters across 150 countries. The HCCH operates through its Permanent Bureau in The Hague, ensuring the effective functioning of over 45 international treaties. In addition to facilitating international cooperation through meetings and educational support, the HCCH provides critical resources for governments, judges, and legal professionals to help them apply international law consistently.

The HCCH’s work extends beyond treaty facilitation, with several projects needing additional support. These include providing stipends for legal interns, maintaining INCADAT, an international child abduction case law database, and developing electronic country profiles for various treaties. The organization also invests in translating key publications and conducting supplementary research to ensure global accessibility and uniformity in legal interpretation. Through these efforts, the HCCH continues to strengthen international judicial cooperation and uphold its commitment to resolving the legal challenges of an increasingly globalized world.

Learn more here:

https://www.friendsofhcch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HCCH-Brochure-May-2024-v.20240516.pdf