European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement regarding Custody of Children

signed at Luxembourg on 20 May 1980

• General provision
  (Article 1)
  • Article 1 Definitions
• Part 1 Central Authorities
  (Articles 2-6)
  • Article 2 Appointment of Central Authorities
  • Article 3 Tasks of the Central Authorities
  • Article 4 Application to be submitted to a Central Authority for recognition of a decision
  • Article 5 Proceedings to be started by a Central Authority
  • Article 6 Language for communication by or with Central Authorities
• Part II Recognition and enforcement of decisions and restoration of custody of children
  (Articles 7-12)
  • Article 7 Recognition and enforcement of decisions related to custody of another State
  • Article 8 Restoration of custody in case of an improper removal of the child
  • Article 9 Grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement in other cases of improper removal than those covered by Article 8
  • Article 10 Grounds for refusal of recognition and enforcement in other cases of improper removal than those covered by Article 8 or 9
  • Article 11 Recognition and enforcement of decisions on or related to right of access
  • Article 12 Applicability of the Convention to subsequent decisions relating to custody of a removed child
• Part III Procedure
  (Articles 13-16)
  • Article 13 Formalities for lodging an application in another Contracting State
  • Article 14 Procedure for recognition and enforcement must be simple en speedy
  • Article 15 Hearing of the child and institution of further enquiries
  • Article 16 Prohibition to require legalisation or a similar formality
• Part IV Reservations
  (Articles 17-18)
  • Article 17 Reserved additional grounds to refuse recognition and enforcement
  • Article 18 Reservations to avoid being bound by Article 12
• Part V Other instruments
  (Articles 19-20)
  • Article 19 Convention leaves other possible treaties or rules of (national) law untouched
  • Article 20 Convention does not affect rules of law of a Contracting State with a non-Contracting State
• Part VI Final clauses
  (Articles 21-30)
  • Article 21 Signature and ratification
  • Article 22 Entry into force
  • Article 23 Admission of non-Members of the Council to the Convention
  • Article 24 Territories where the Convention will be applicable
  • Article 25 Different systems of law within the territory of one State
  • Article 26 Applicable law of a State with different systems of law within its territory
  • Article 27 Application or withdrawal of reservations made
  • Article 28 Examining the functioning of the Convention
  • Article 29 Denunciation of the Convention
  • Article 30 Necessary notifications of the Secretary General to the Contracting States

• Explanatory Report
  • Introduction
  • Commentary on the provisions of the Convention
    • General comments
    • Article 1 (comment)
    • Article 2 (comment)
    • Article 4 (comment)
    • Article 5 (comment)
    • Article 6 (comment)
    • Article 7 (comment)
    • Article 8 (comment)
    • Article 9 (comment)
    • Article 10 (comment)
    • Article 11 (comment)
    • Article 12 (comment)
    • Article 13 (comment)
    • Article 14 (comment)
    • Article 15 (comment)
    • Article 16 (comment)
    • Article 17 (comment)
    • Article 18 (comment)
    • Article 19 (comment)
    • Article 20 (comment)
    • Articles 21 to 27 and 29 to 30 (comment)
    • Article 28 (comment)