On 27 June 2024, the UK ratified the Hague Convention of 2 July 2019 on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil or Commercial Matters (the "Convention"). This means that the Convention will come into force for the UK on 1 July 2025.
This is welcome news for UK citizens and businesses in a post-Brexit world as the EU wide regimes for the recognition and enforcement of judgments no longer apply to the UK. Once in force, parties litigating in the UK will benefit from a simplified and cohesive framework for the recognition and enforcement of judgments in countries that are contracting parties to the Convention (and vice versa). Currently, the Convention includes all EU member states except Denmark.
Commenting on the UK government's ratification of the Convention, Chair of the Bar Council Sam Townend KC, said:
"The ratification is good news for the UK, the EU and other international signatories because it will enhance international confidence that judgments obtained in relation to commercial and other disputes will be adhered to on a reciprocal basis."
