Draft Civil Jurisdiction and Judgements (2005 Hague Convention and 2007 Hague Convention) (Amendment) Regulations 2022

Afzal Khan Excerpts

Tuesday 14th December 2021 General Committees

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Davies. I thank the Minister for his opening remarks and for outlining the extent of what is being undertaken.

It is important that we ensure the definitions laid out under the two Hague conventions are transferred to and retained in domestic law not just for the certainty that that provides to the legal profession, but for those involved in active litigation that may be subject to the conventions.

As the Minister outlined, the 2005 Hague convention set out the exclusive choice of court agreements between parties in international commercial transactions. Those are common clauses, particularly in high-value commercial contracts. The 2007 Hague convention provides for rules for the international recovery of child support and spousal maintenance. Both conventions are good, and the Opposition support their continuation in UK domestic law. We support the Minister in laying the SI before Parliament.