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NLJ this week: Hague 2019 enters force—but will it deliver consistency?

11 July 2025
Issue: 8124 / Categories: Legal News , Commercial , Jurisdiction , Dispute resolution , International
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In this week’s NLJ, Ben Roe of Baker McKenzie explores the UK’s adoption of the Hague Judgments Convention 2019, which came into force on 1 July

The convention simplifies cross-border enforcement of civil and commercial judgments, plugging post-Brexit gaps left by the Brussels and Lugano regimes. Hague 2019 complements Hague 2005 (on jurisdiction clauses) and introduces a new CPR 74.4(7) process for registration.

However, Roe warns of challenges: the convention excludes key areas like IP, family law, and arbitration, and relies on ‘indirect jurisdictional filters’ that may be inconsistently applied. Without a central interpretive body like the CJEU, national courts may diverge on key definitions, risking fragmentation. Article 29 opt-outs could further erode multilateralism.

While the convention is a step forward, its success hinges on judicial coherence and broader international uptake—especially from the US, which has signed but not ratified. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

NLJ Career Profile: Kate Gaskell, Flex Legal

Kate Gaskell, CEO of Flex Legal, reflects on chasing her childhood dreams underscores the importance of welcoming those from all backgrounds into the profession

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dorsey & Whitney—Jonathan Christy

Dispute resolution team welcomes associate in London

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Winckworth Sherwood—Kevin McManamon

Special education needs and mental capacity expert joins as partner

NEWS
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School highlights a turbulent end to 2025 in the civil courts, from the looming appeal in Mazur to judicial frustration with ever-expanding bundles, in his final NLJ 'The insider' column of the year
Antonia Glover of Quinn Emanuel outlines sweeping transparency reforms following the work of the Transparency and Open Justice Board in this week's NLJ
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