The HCCH's Development In Africa

Abstract

There has been much progress since the HCCH started its activities in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Although these activities were initiated in a European context, they inspired seven South American States to conclude a diplomatic conference on private international law in 1899. Less than two decades after the first Hague Conference was held in 1893, Japan joined the HCCH as the first non-European delegation. Since then, many more non-European States have joined the HCCH. The need for sustainable growth is underpinned by the availability, allocation and use of resources on legal and institutional levels. This chapter considers how the HCCH can become a truly global organisation through an examination of factors that impede its growth. Special attention is given to the involvement of African States with a view to ensuring that the HCCH becomes a truly international organisation. The paper considers trends, jurisdictional differences, regional approaches, and relevant transaction cost.