Resolution

In Support of Resources Needed to Facilitate Compliance with Family Law Related International Treaties

Resolution 1 In Support of Resources Needed to Facilitate Compliance with Family Law Related International Treaties

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The Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators recognize that:

  • In an expanding global society, international treaties are essential to facilitate cooperation and communication among countries and ensure the recognition and enforcement of foreign decrees and judgments.
  • The United States is currently a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the 1993 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Adoption Convention) and is considering ratification of additional family law-related international treaties.
  • With the recent implementation of the Adoption Convention and anticipated ratifications of additional treaties, resources and a formalized structure are needed to support judges and court personnel in complying with treaty obligations.

Such resources could include:

  • Development of a readily accessible body of information regarding the treaties for judges and court personnel;
  • Sponsorship of national training opportunities for designated state points of contact;
  • Creation of a dedicated section within the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) website to house relevant resource material.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators encourage the United States Department of State to work with the Conferences and the National Center for State Courts to provide state courts with the resources necessary to comply with:

  • The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction;
  • The 1993 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption;
  • And other family law-related international treaties.

Adopted at the COSCA 2009 Annual Meeting on August 5, 2009.