The convention has already been ratified by the EU, Ukraine and Uruguay.
Welcoming the news, Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘By facilitating the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, the Convention enhances access to justice for citizens and consumers around the world.
‘It also strengthens a positive national and international environment for multilateral trade, investment and mobility. It is important, however, that the UK becoming a contracting state to Hague 19 should not stop efforts to further facilitate cross-border enforcement of judgments, including continued discussions to accede to the Lugano Convention.’
Lugano provides for the recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments between the EU and EFTA states, and other states can join subject to the approval of members.
Hague 19 will come into force 12 months after ratification, which took place on 12 January, and will apply to judgments in proceedings started after that day.
