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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

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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