Hague Convention

Serving a Defendant Abroad? Three Common International Service Problems

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Issues with international service of process can cause significant headaches for the plaintiff trying to pursue a lawsuit against an overseas defendant. International service of process is particularly important when it comes to collecting a judgment issued by a domestic court against a foreign defendant. Below are the three biggest issues that come up when…

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Service of Process at the Vatican City

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The Catholic Church has had several lawsuits filed against it around the world by victims of alleged sexual abuse by the clergy. Attorneys representing survivors have filed claims against the Vatican and argue that the Holy See has benefited from the support of archbishops, parishioners, and others who knew of the abuse and yet actively…

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Head of Catholic Church Calls for End to Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

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Pope Francis recently criticized laws as unjust that make homosexuality criminal, according to a recent report by The Guardian. The head of the Holy See further noted that God loves all people as they are and called on Catholic bishops to welcome LGBTQ+ into their churches. The Pope acknowledged that some Catholic bishops around the…

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Hague Convention Guides Germany’s Amendments on Pre-Trial Discovery

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Germany Stops Prohibiting Pre-Trial Discovery Under Hague Convention It is no secret that when it comes to international law, judicial power ends at the country’s borders. As a result, courts need help from foreign courts when a party is seeking discovery outside of its jurisdiction. German courts used to flat-out refuse to execute a pre-trial…

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Serving Divorce Papers in Mexico

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Serving divorce papers in Mexico can be a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of Mexican law and the country’s legal system. The following steps will help you navigate the process: Hiring an attorney: It is strongly recommended to hire an attorney who is knowledgeable about the divorce process. An attorney can help you…

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Old Law and New Tricks: Charitable Immunity and the Catholic Church

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A plaintiff filed suit against the Catholic Church for the abuse he allegedly suffered from a bishop in the 1960s. The Catholic Church attempted to invoke a now-abolished law—charitable immunity—to claim its status as a non-profit prevented it from being sued. The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently ruled on the case, rejecting Holy See’s argument.…

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How to Serve Someone in Mexico

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It happens more often than you would think that a plaintiff needs to sue a defendant who does not live in the United States. No matter what type of case you may be pursuing, a series of issues may arise regarding providing the soon-to-be defendant notice of any pending lawsuit in the United States. Thankfully,…

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Hague Convention: Child Abduction

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Child abduction is a serious issue, particularly when it happens on an international level. It is estimated that every 40 seconds a child is abducted or goes missing in the United States. Globally, about 8 million children are abducted each year. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (“Hague Abduction Convention”)…

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Hague Court Rejected Widows’ Lawsuit Against Shell

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Earlier this year, the District Hague Court rejected a lawsuit brought by four Nigerian widows against global oil giant Shell. The lawsuit claims that Shell purportedly helped to corrupt witnesses that were testifying against the widows’ late husbands. The Nigerian government executed the four men in 1995 following protests of Shell and its alleged exploitation…

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Breach of Jurisdiction Agreements: Damages Under German Law

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This scenario likely comes before litigators and arbitration lawyers who work in the space of international law. An American client believes it may have a seven figure claim against a foreign contractual partner. That foreign contractual partner refuses to pay the claim. Not surprisingly, the U.S. company wants to enforce this claim, preferably through its…

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Part II: Japanese Government Objects to Service by Mail Under the Hague Convention

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In our last post, we explained that the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial & Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (“Hague Service Convention”) is a multilateral treaty adopted on November 15, 1965 by member nations of the Hague Convention on Private International Law (the “Convention”). This Hague Service Convention created unified rules…

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Is Argentina a member of the Hague Convention?

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Attorneys and paralegals frequently ask “Is Argentina a member of the Hague Convention?” The short answer is yes. However, the question is a bit more complicated than a simple yes. The “Hague Convention” is a term that is used interchangeably for several different treaties that many countries are parties to. Overall, there are 42 “Hague…

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