Convention on the taking of evidence abroad in civil or commercial matters

Authorities Albania

16-07-2010

In the meaning of Article 2 of the Convention the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Albania is the Central Authority.

Authorities Andorra

26-04-2017

Ministry of Social Affairs, Justice and Interior

Authorities Argentina

26-11-1987

The Government of the Argentine Republic has designated the following competent authority:
Ministerio de Relaciones y Culto

Authorities Armenia

22-08-2014

Central Authority
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia

Authorities Australia

23-10-1992

The Government of Australia hereby declares, for and on behalf of Australia, that:
- pursuant to Article 2, the Secretary to the Attorney-General's Department of the Commonwealth of Australia will be its Central Authority;
- pursuant to Article 16, the Secretary to the Attorney-General's Department of the Commonwealth of Australia will be its competent authority for the purposes of that Article;
- pursuant to Article 24, it designates the Registrars of the State and Territory Supreme Courts as additional authorities.

04-01-2007

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2 and competent authority in accordance with Article 16:
The Secretary
Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department

Additional Authorities:

For the jurisdiction of Victoria:
Supreme Court of Victoria
General Registry

For the jurisdiction of New South Wales:
Supreme Court of New South Wales

For the jurisdiction of the Australian Capital Territory:
Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory

For the jurisdiction of Queensland:
Supreme Court of Queensland
Civil Registry or Criminal Registry

For the jurisdiction of South Australia:
Supreme Court of South Australia
Civil Registry or Criminal Registry

For the jurisdiction of Tasmania:
Supreme Court of Tasmania

For the jurisdiction of Western Australia:
Supreme Court of Western Australia

For the jurisdiction of the Northern Territory:
Supreme Court of the Northern Territory

Authorities Barbados

29-09-1982

Central Authority
Barbados has designated as the Central Authority referred to in Article 2 of the Convention:
The Registrar of the Supreme Court of Barbados.

Authorities Belarus

07-08-2001

In accordance with Article 8 of the Convention the Republic of Belarus designates the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus and the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Belarus in accordance with their competence as the authorities for the purposes of this Article of the Convention.
In accordance with Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention the Republic of Belarus designates the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus and the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Belarus in accordance with their competence as the authorities for the purposes of these Articles of the Convention.
In accordance with Article 18 of the Convention the Republic of Belarus designates the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus and the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Belarus in accordance with their competence as the authorities for the purposes of this Article of the Convention.

17-04-2007

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2:
Ministry of Justice

Authorities Bosnia and Herzegovina

16-06-2008

Central Authority
The Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Authorities Brazil

14-08-2014

[...] the Ministry of Justice of Brazil has been designated as the Central Authority for the Convention.

Authorities Bulgaria

23-11-1999

Declaration on articles 2 and 8:
The Republic of Bulgaria designates as Central Authority the Ministry of Justice and European Legal Integration which is also competent authority under article 8.

Authorities China

16-06-1997

Hong Kong
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, it designates the Registrar of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as an Other Authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; in accordance with Article 17, it designates the Administrative Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the competent authority for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

08-12-1997

In accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, the Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China has been designated as the Central Authority which will undertake to receive Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State and to transmit them to the authority competent to execute them.
The Central Authortiy designated by the People's Republic of China in accordance with Article 2 is as follows:
Bureau of International Judicial Assistance
Ministry of Justice of the People's Republic of China
In accordance with Article 35 and Article 24 of the Convention, the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in Hong Kong.
In accordance with Article 35 and Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention, the Chief Secretary is designated as the competent authority for Hong Kong.

16-12-1999

Macao
In accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, it designates the Procurate of the Macao Special Administrative Region as the Central Authority in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

01-11-2000

Macao
In accordance with Article 24 of the Convention, it designates the Procurate of the Macao Special Administrative Region as the Other Authority in the Macao Special Administrative Region, which will undertake to receive Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State and to transmit them to the authority competent to execute them.

08-07-2002

Macao
Based on the proposal forwarded to the Central Government by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and with a view to further facilitating the application of the [...] Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, concluded at The Hague on 18 March 1970 (hereinafter referred to as "the Taking of Evidence Convention") in the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Embassy is instructed to inform the following amendments with respect to the application of the above-mentioned Conventions in the Macao Special Administrative region:
1. With regard to the competent authority to complete a certificate referred to in Article 6 of the Service Convention: the authority designated originally is the Court Clerks and assistant Court Clerks from the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao Special Administrative Region, now it should be amended as the Primary Court of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
2. With regard to the competent authority to receive Requests for Service forwarded by other Contracting States through consular channels referred to in Article 9 of the Service Convention: the authority designated originally is the Court Clerks and Assistant Court Clerks from the Court of Final Appeal of the Macao Special Administrative Region, now it should be amended as the Procurate of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

30-12-2010

Central Authority (modification)
International Legal Cooperation Center
Ministry of Justice

Authorities Colombia

07-11-2012

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia [...] informs that the "Dirección de Asuntos Migratorios, Consulares y Servicio al Ciudadano" of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, was designated as a Central Authority in accordance with the article 2 of the Convention.

Authorities Costa Rica

07-12-2016

Central Authority:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship
Legal Directorate

Authorities Croatia

01-10-2009

Declaration concerning Article 2 of the Convention
In accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention, the Republic of Croatia designates the Ministry of Justice as the Central Authority for receiving the Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State.

Authorities Cyprus

03-05-1984

The Ministry of Justice is designated as the Central Authority referred to in Article 2 of the Convention.

15-05-1984

Under Article 2 the Ministry of Justice is designated as the Competent Authority.
Under Article 16 the Ministry of Justice is designated as the Competent Authority.
Under Article 17 the Ministry of Justice is designated as the Competent Authority.
Under Article 18 the Supreme Court is designated as the Competent Authority.

Authorities Czech Republic

28-01-1993

Central Authority in accordance with Articles 2 and 24:
Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic
Competent authority in accordance with Articles 15, 17 and 18:
Diplomatic officers, consular agents or commissioners can request on the basis of reciprocity the competent court for executing of procedural act. Letters shall be sent to the Ministry of Justice.

04-03-2011

The Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic was designated as the competent authority under Article 16 of the [...] Convention to accord approval for taking of evidence by diplomatic representative or consular agent of another contracting state if the reciprocity is not assured.

Authorities Czechoslovakia (<01-01-1993)

24-05-1978

The Government of Czechoslovakia informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the designation, in accordance with Article 2 and 24 of the Convention, of the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Socialist Republic as central authorities.

Authorities Denmark

20-06-1972

Article 2: The Ministry of Justice is hereby designated as Central Authority.
Article 16: The Ministry of Justice will issue authorizations to take evidence.

Authorities El Salvador

19-01-2023

Central Authority:
The Supreme Court of Justice

Authorities Estonia

02-02-1996

According to Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention the competent authority designated by the State to give its permission is the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Estonia.

Authorities Finland

07-04-1976

In Finland the Ministry for Foreign Affairs shall be the Central Authority referred to in Article 2.

01-04-1982

The Central Authority which will undertake to receive Letters of Request referred to in Article 2 of the Convention, is the Ministry of Justice as from 1 June 1982.

Authorities France

07-08-1974

- In accordance with the provisions of Article 2, the "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale", Ministry of Justice, has been designated as the Central Authority to the exclusion of any other authority.
- In accordance with the provisions of Article 16, the "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale", Ministry of Justice, has been designated as the authority competent to authorize diplomatic officers or consular agents of a Contracting State to take the evidence without compulsion of persons other than nationals of that State in aid of proceedings commenced in the courts of a State which they represent.
This authorization which will be given for each particular case accompanied by particular conditions if need be, shall be subject to the following general conditions:
1. The evidence must only be taken within the precincts of the Embassies;
2. The "Service Civil de L'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale" must be given due notice of the date and time at which the evidence is to be taken so that it can make representatives available if necessary;
3. The evidence must be taken in a room to which the public has access;
4. The persons who are to give evidence must receive due notice in the form of an official summons drawn up in French or accompanied by a translation into French, and stating:
(a) That the taking of evidence for which the person concerned is summoned is based on the provisions of the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970 on the taking of evidence abroad in civil or commercial matters, and is part of the judicial proceedings taken in a court designated by a Contracting State by name;
(b) That appearance for the giving of evidence is voluntary and that non-appearance cannot lead to prosecution in the requesting State;
(c) That the parties to any action consent to it or, if they do not, their reasons for this;
(d) That the person who is to give evidence is entitled to legal advice;
(e) That the person who is to give evidence can claim dispensation or prohibition from doing so.
A copy of the summonses will be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
5. The "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale" will be kept informed of any difficulties.
- In accordance with the provisions of Article 17, the "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale", Ministry of Justice, has been designated as the authority competent to authorize persons duly appointed as commissioners to take evidence without compulsion in aid of proceedings commenced in the courts of a Contracting State.
This authorization, which will be given for each particular case, accompanied if need be by particular conditions, shall be subject to the following general conditions:
1. The evidence must only be taken within the precincts of the Embassies;
2. The "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale" must be given due notice of the date and time at which the evidence is to be taken so that it can make representatives available if necessary;
3. The evidence must be taken in a room to which the public has access;
4. The persons who are to give evidence must receive due notice in the form of an official summons drawn up in French or accompanied by a translation into French, and stating:
(a) That the taking of evidence for which the person concerned is summoned is based on the provisions of the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, and is part of the judicial proceedings taken in a court designated by a Contracting State by name;
(b) That appearance for the giving of evidence is voluntary and that non-appearance cannot lead to prosecution in the requesting State;
(c) That the parties to any action consent to it or, if they do not, their reasons for this;
(d) That the person who is to give evidence is entitled to legal advice;
(e) That the person who is to give evidence can claim dispensation or prohibition from doing so.
A copy of the summonses will be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
5. The "Service Civil de l'Entraide Judiciaire Internationale" will be kept informed of any difficulties.
The application for authorization, which will be addressed to the Ministry of Justice by the requesting authority, should specify:
1) The reasons why this method of investigation was chosen in preference to that of Letters of Request, bearing in mind the judiciary expenses involved.
2) The criteria for designating the commissioners when the person designated does not reside in France.
The French Government declares that, in pursuance of the provisions of Article 8, members of the judicial personnel of the requesting authority of a Contracting State may be present at the execution of a Letter of Request.

15-11-2005

Central Authority in accordance with the provisions of article 2 of the Convention:
Ministry of Justice
Direction des Affaires Civiles et du Sceau
Bureau de l'entraide civile et commerciale internationale

Competent authority in accordance with the provisions of articles 16 and 17 of the Convention:
Ministry of Justice
Direction des Affaires Civiles et du Sceau
Bureau de l'entraide civile et commerciale internationale

Authorities Georgia

31-05-2021

1. In accordance with Article 2 of the Convention the Ministry of Justice shall be designated as the Central Authority in Georgia.

Authorities Germany

27-04-1979

The authority competent to execute a Letter of Request shall be the local court (Amtsgericht) in whose district the official act is to be performed.
Letters of Request shall be addressed to the Central Authority of the Land in which the respective request is to be executed. The Central Authority pursuant to Article 2 and paragraph 2 of Article 24 of the Convention shall be for:

Baden-Württemberg
das Justizministerium Baden-Württemberg
(The Ministry of Justice of Baden-Württemberg)

Bavaria
das Bayerische Staatsministerium der Justiz
(The Bavarian State Ministry of Justice)

Berlin
der Senator für Justiz (The Senator of Justice)

Bremen
der Präsident des Landgerichte Bremen
(The President of the Regional Court of Bremen)

Hamburg
der Präsident des Amtsgerichts Hamburg
(The President of the Local Court of Hamburg)

Hesse
der Hessische Minister der Justiz
(The Hessian Minister of Justice)

Lower Saxony
der Niedersächsische Minister der Justiz
(The Minister of Justice of Lower Saxony)

Northrhine-Westphalia
der Justizminister des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
(The Minister of Justice of the Land Northrhine-Westphalia)

Rhineland-Palatinate
das Ministerium der Justiz (The Ministry of Justice)

Saarland
der Minister für Rechtspflege (The Minister of Justice)

Schleswig-Holstein
der Justizminister des Landes Schleswig-Holstein
(The Minister of Justice of the Land Schleswig-Holstein)

15-05-1991

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that with effect from 1 April 1991 the designated authority for the Land Northrhine-Westphalia no longer is "der Justizminister des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen" but "der Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Düsseldorf".

29-09-1992

The Government of Germany informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the designation of the following central authorities pursuant to Articles 2 and 24, second paragraph:

in Brandenburg:
Das Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Brandenburg

in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania:
Der Minister für Justiz, Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten

in Saxe:
Das Sächsische Staatsministerium der Justiz

in Saxe-Anhalt:
Das Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt

in Thüringe:
Das Justizministerium Thüringen

11-11-1994

Germany has deposited the following revised list of Central Authorities designated in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention:

Baden-Württemberg
Justizministerium

Bavaria
Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Justiz

Berlin
Senatsverwaltung für Justiz von Berlin

Brandenburg
Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Brandenburg

Bremen
Der Präsident des Landsgerichts

Hamburg
Präsident des Ambtsgerichts Hamburg

Hesse
Hessisches Ministerium der Justiz

Lower Saxony
Niedersächsisches Justizministerium

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Ministerium für Justiz, Bundes- und Europaangelegenheiten des Landes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Northrhine-Westphalia
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Düsseldorf

Rhineland-Palatinate
Ministerium der Justiz

Saarland
Ministerium der Justiz des Saarlandes

Saxe
Sächsisches Staatsministerium der Justiz

Saxe-Anhalt
Ministerium des Justiz des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt

Schleswig-Holstein
Der Justizminister des Landes Schleswig-Holstein

Thüringe
Thüringer Justizministerium

22-01-1999

The German Embassy informed the depositary that the authority for the Land Bavaria has been modified as follows:
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts München

13-01-2000

The German Embassy, referring to Article 35, litt d, of the above-mentioned Convention informed the Ministry of the following change of the authority designated for the "Land" of Saxony:
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Dresden

11-04-2001

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands of the following change of the Central Authority designated in accordance with the provisions of the Convention for Baden-Württemberg:
Präsident des Amtgerichts Freiburg

03-06-2005

The Central Authority under article 2, paragraph 1, first sentence, of the Convention for the Land of Hessen has changed and is now:
Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main

It replaces the former Central Authority: Hessisches Ministerium der Justiz und für Europaangelegenheiten

06-07-2007

[...] the Central Authority pursuant to Articles 2 and 24, second paragraph, of the Convention for the Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern [...]:
Justizministerium Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

28-07-2022

Updated list of Central Authorities of the Federal Republic of Germany
Requests shall, in principle, be addressed to the Central Authority of the Land where the request is to be complied with. Requests may also be transmitted to the Federal Office of Justice in its capacity as Federal Central Authority; the Federal Office of Justice will forward the request to the competent Central Authority. To save time, however, it is advised to transmit requests directly to the Central Authority of the relevant Land. The Central Authorities pursuant to Article 2 and paragraph 2 of Article 24 of the Convention shall be the following.
Federal Central Authority:
Federal Office of Justice
Baden-Wuerttemberg (Baden-Württemberg):
Präsidentin des Amtsgerichts Freiburg
Bavaria (Bayern):
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts München
Berlin:
Senatsverwaltung für Justiz, Vielfalt und Antidiskriminierung Berlin
Brandenburg:
Ministerium der Justiz des Landes Brandenburg
Bremen:
Präsidentin des Landgerichts Bremen
Hamburg:
Präsident des Amtsgerichts Hamburg
Hesse (Hessen):
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Frankfurt am Main
Mecklenburg Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern):
Ministerium für Justiz, Gleichstellung und Verbraucherschutz Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen):
Niedersächsisches Justizministerium
Northrhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen):
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Düsseldorf
Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz):
Ministerium der Justiz Rheinland-Pfalz
Saarland:
Ministerium der Justiz Saarland
Saxony (Sachsen):
Präsident des Oberlandesgerichts Dresden
Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt):
Ministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holstein:
Ministerium für Justiz, Europa und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Schleswig-Holstein
Thuringia (Thüringen):
Thüringer Ministerium für Migration, Justiz und Verbraucherschutz

Authorities Greece

18-01-2005

Greece declares that the Ministry of Justice is designated as the Central Authority for application of the Convention, in terms of articles 2 and 35 thereof.

Authorities Hungary

13-07-2004

To Article 2
In the Republic of Hungary the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice
Department of Justice Cooperation and Private International Law
is designated as the Central Authority in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

28-09-2010

Competent authority (Art. 8, 17) (Modification):
Ministry of Public Administration and Justice
Department of Justice Cooperation and Private International Law

Authorities Iceland

10-11-2008

In accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the taking of evidence abroad in civil or commercial matters, Iceland hereby designates the Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs as the Central Authority which will undertake to receive Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State and to transmit them to the authority competent to execute them.

29-09-2015

Central Authority (modification)
District Commissioner of Sudurnes (Sýslumađurinn á Suđurnesjum)

Authorities India

07-02-2007

Central Authorities:
The Ministry of Law and Justice and the High Courts in all States and Union Territories within India.

Authorities Israel

25-04-1980

Central Authority: the Director of Courts

11-02-1981

The Central Authority designated by the State of Israel pursuant to Article 2 of the Convention is the Director of the Courts. The Director of the Court is also the Authority designated pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 to give the permissions specified in those Articles.

Authorities Italy

22-06-1982

In accordance with Article 35 the Italian Government designates the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursuant to Article 2 as the Central Authority which will undertake to receive Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State and to transmit them to the authority competent to execute them.
In accordance with the abovementioned Article the Italian Government designates the Court of Appeal within whose jurisdiction proceedings are to take place as the authority competent to:
- authorize foreign judicial personnel to be present at the execution of a Letter of Request, pursuant to Article 8;
- authorize foreign diplomatic officers, consular agents or commissioners to take evidence under Article 16 or 17;
- grant the judicial assistance provided for in Article 18.

Authorities Kazakhstan

26-09-2016

[…] the Republic of Kazakhstan designates the following central and competent authorities:
The Central authority - The Department for provision of courts' activity under the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan (administrative office of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan) in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention;
The Competent authority - The Department for provision of courts' activity under the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan (administrative office of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan), which is authorized to organize the issuance of permits to take the evidence without compulsion in accordance with Articles 15,16, 17 of the Convention and to assist in obtaining the evidence by compulsion in accordance with Article 18 of the Convention.

02-03-2023

The central authority for the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with article 2 of the Convention […] is the Judicial Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the competent authority is the Judicial Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is authorized to arrange for the taking of evidence without compulsion in accordance with articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Convention and to provide assistance in taking evidence by force in accordance with article 18 of the Convention.

Authorities Kuwait

06-08-2002

The Department of International Relations at the Ministry of Justice of the State of Kuwait has been designated as the Central Authority.

Authorities Latvia

05-05-2009

Persons wishing to obtain evidence within the Republic of Latvia under Article 16 and Article 17 of the Convention submit the respective application to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia.

Authorities Liechtenstein

12-11-2008

Pursuant to Article 35 (1) of the Convention of 18 March 1970 on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, the Principality of Liechtenstein notifies as Central Authority referred to in Article 2 of the Convention:
Fürstliches Landgericht (Court of Justice)
Pursuant to Article 35 of the Convention, the Principality of Liechtenstein declares that the taking of evidence as referred to in Articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Convention is subject to prior permission by the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Authorities Lithuania

02-08-2000

And whereas it is provided in paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Convention, the Republic of Lithuania designates the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania as a Central Authority to receive a Letter of Request coming from a judicial authority of another Contracting State.

Authorities Luxembourg

26-07-1977

- In accordance with Article 2 the "Parquet Général" is designated as the Central Authority.
- In accordance with the provisions of Article 16, the "Parquet Général" is designated as the authority competent to authorize the diplomatic officers or consular agents of a Contracting State to take, without compulsion, the evidence of persons other than the nationals of that State in aid of proceedings commenced in the courts of the State which they represent.
- In accordance with the provisions of Article 17, the "Parquet Général" is designated as the authority competent to authorize persons designated in accordance with the regulations as commissioners to take evidence, without compulsion, in aid of proceedings commenced in the courts of another Contracting State.

Authorities Malta

24-02-2011

In accordance with the requirement of Article 2 of the said Convention and for the purposes of this Convention, the designated Central Authority for Malta is the Attorney General.

Authorities Mexico

27-07-1989

Transmission and execution of letters of request
Central Authority (Article 2)
Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores,
Dirección General de Asuntos Jurídicos.

Authorities Monaco

17-01-1986

In accordance with article 2, the Directorate of Judicial Services is designated as the Central Authority.
In accordance with articles 16 and 17, the Directorate of Judicial Services is designated as a competent authority for the purpose of authorising, as appropriate:
- the consular authorities of a Contracting State to take the evidence without compulsion of persons other than nationals of that State and in aid of proceedings commenced in a court of the State which they represent, or
- persons duly designated as commissioners to take evidence without compulsion in aid of proceedings commenced in a court of the Contracting State.

Authorities Montenegro

16-01-2012

Montenegro declares that:
a) in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, Montenegro designates the Ministry of Justice as Central Authority, which will undertake to receive Letters of Request coming from judicial authority of another Contracting State;
b) in accordance with Article 8 of the Convention, Montenegro declares that members of the judicial personnel of judicial authority of the requesting authority of another Contracting State may be present at the execution of a Letter of Request in Montenegro when prior authorization by the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro is granted.

Authorities Morocco

24-03-2011

[...] in accordance with article 2, the Moroccan Ministry of Justice has been designated as the Central National Authority.

Authorities Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

08-04-1981

Article 2
The Public Prosecutor at The Hague district Court is designated as the Central Authority.
The permission referred to in Article 17 must be requested from the President of the District Court in the area in which evidence is to be taken.

28-05-1986

In accordance with Article 2, the Kingdom of the Netherlands designated as Central Authority at Aruba: the Attorney-General at Aruba of the Joint Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

21-11-2008

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2 (modification from 1 December 2008):
The Hague district court
Civil law sector
General Affairs

16-05-2012

Central Authority Aruba (modification):
The Attorney-General at Aruba of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba.

Authorities Nicaragua

21-09-2019

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Department of Legal Affairs, Sovereignty and Territory

Authorities Norway

03-08-1972

The Royal Ministry of Justice and Police is designated as the Central Authority with reference to Article 2 and as the Competent Authority with reference to Articles 15, 16 and 17.

07-03-2023

In accordance with Article 35, paragraph 2, subparagraph d) of the Convention, the designated Central Authority under Article 2 shall be: The Norwegian Civil Affairs Authority.

Authorities Paraguay

23-06-2023

Central Authority:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Legal Affairs, Department of Letters Rogatory and International Legal Cooperation (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Dirección de Asuntos Legales, Departamento de Exhortos y Cooperación Jurídica Internacional)

Authorities Poland

13-02-1996

Article 2, paragraph 1
The Central Authority designated to receive Letters of Request coming from a judicial authority or another Contracting State shall be the Ministry of Justice.
Article 8
The Authority designated to issue a prior authorization shall be the Ministry of Justice.
Articles 24 and 27 (a)
Other authorities, in addition to the Central Authority, designated to receive Letters of Request shall be the voivodship courts.

Authorities Portugal

12-03-1975

With regard to Articles 2 and 15 of the Convention, the competent Portugese authority will be the Director-General of the Judiciary Department ("Direcçao-Geral dos Serviços Judiciáros") of the Ministry of Justice.

28-10-2011

Central Authority (Art. 2 and 35) (modification):
Direcção-Geral da Administração da Justiça - Ministério da Justiça
(Directorate-General of Justice Administration - Ministry of Justice)
Competent Authority (Art. 16)
Direcção-Geral da Administração da Justiça - Ministério da Justiça
(Directorate-General of Justice Administration - Ministry of Justice)

23-04-2021

Central Authority (modification):
Direcção-Geral da Administração da Justiça - Ministério da Justiça
(Directorate-General for the Administration of Justice - Ministry of Justice)

Authorities Republic of Korea, the

14-12-2009

For the purpose of Article 8, the competent authority shall be the National Court Administration.

22-12-2009

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2:
National Court Administration
Attn: Director of International Affairs

Authorities Romania

21-08-2003

In accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, the Ministry of Justice is the Central Authority in Romania designated to receive and to transmit Letters of Request.

Authorities Serbia

02-07-2010

Competent Organ for application of Article 18 of the Convention is the First Instance Court in the Republic of Serbia in whose area person has permanent or temporary residence.
The Belgrade First Instance Court is determined as Central Organ in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention.

03-01-2014

The Central Authority pursuant to Article 2 of the Convention is:
Ministry of Justice and State Administration of the Republic of Serbia;
Department for the International Legal Assistance in Civil Procedure.

Authorities Seychelles

28-08-2006

The Central Authority which will undertake to receive and transmit letters of requests to the executing authority:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Seychelles
The Competent Authority to execute Letters of Request:
Supreme Court of Seychelles

Authorities Singapore

04-08-1979

Central Authority
Singapore notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the Central Authority which will undertake to receive Letters of Request referred to in Article 2 of the Convention, is the Registrar of the Supreme Court.

Authorities Slovakia

01-01-1993

Central Authority
Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic

21-03-1996

The Slovak Republic has designated in accordance with Articles 2 and 8 of the Convention the following Central Authority:
Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic

09-03-2011

[...] the competent authority in the Slovak Republic for the purposes of
a) granting permission for the taking of evidence by a diplomatic officer or consular agent of nationals of the State in which he of she exercises his functions or of a third State (Art. 16) in case no reciprocity is guaranteed, or
b) granting permission for the taking of evidence by a commissioner (Art. 17) is:
[...] Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.

Authorities Slovenia

31-01-2001

Central Authority
Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia

Authorities South Africa

08-07-1997

Designation of Authorities
That the Republic of South Africa designates:
(a) the Director-General of the Department of Justice as Central Authority in terms of Article 2 of the Convention and as the competent authority referred to in Article 8 of the Convention; and
(b) the division of the High Court of South Africa that has jurisdiction as the competent authority referred to in Articles 17 and 18 of the Convention.

Authorities Spain

22-05-1987

The Spanish Central Authority referred to in Article 2 will be:
The Ministry of Justice - Technical Secretariat General,
with exclusion of any other Authority.

20-07-1994

Central Authority
La Dirección General de Codificación y Cooperación Jurídica Internacional,
Ministry of Justice and Interior

20-11-2006

Authority:
Subdirección General de Cooperación Jurídica Internacional
Ministry of Justice

Authorities Sri Lanka

31-08-2000

In terms of Article 2, Secretary/Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is designated as the Central Authority.

Authorities Sweden

02-05-1975

I would further inform you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stockholm, has been designated as the Central Authority referred to in Article 2 and also as the Competent Authority referred to in Article 15-17.

06-11-2000

Central Authority
The Swedish Government informed the Ministry by Note of 6 November 2000 that the Central Authority referred to in Article 2 and the competent authority referred to in Articles 15 - 17 of the above-mentioned Convention is no longer the Ministry for Foreign Affairs but is from 1 October 2000: the Ministry of Justice.
Ministry of Justice
Division for Criminal Cases and International Judicial Co-operation, Central Authority

Authorities Switzerland

02-11-1994

Re articles 2 and 24
In accordance with article 35, first paragraph, Switzerland designates the cantonal authorities listed in the annex as Central Authorities as referred to in articles 2 and 24 of the Convention. Requests for the taking of evidence or the execution of any other judicial act may also be addressed to the Federal Justice and Police Department in Bern, which will forward them to the appropriate Central Authority.

30-10-2000

Swiss Central Authorities
Langue(s) officielle(s): a= allemand, f= français, i=italien

Aargau (AG) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Aargau

Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) - a
Kantonsgericht Appenzell A.Rh.

Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) - a
Kantonsgericht Appenzell I.Rh.

Basel-Landschaft (BL) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Basel-Landschaft

Basel-Stadt (BS) - a
Appellationsgericht Basel-Stadt

Bern (BE) - a/f
Justiz-, Gemeinde- und Kirchendirektion des Kantons Bern

Fribourg (FR) - f/a
Tribunal cantonal

Genève (GE) - f
Parquet du Procureur général

Glarus (GL) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Glarus

Graubünden (GR) - a
Justiz-, Polizei- und Sanitätsdepartement, Graubünden

Jura (JU) - f
Département de la Justice, Service juridique

Luzern (LU) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Luzern

Neuchâtel (NE) - f
Département de la justice, de la santé et de la sécurité; service de la justice, Château

Nidwalden (NW) - a
Kantonsgericht Nidwalden

Obwalden (OW) - a
Kantonsgericht Obwalden

Schaffhausen (SH) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Schaffhausen

Schwyz (SZ) - a
Kantonsgericht Schwyz

Solothurn (SO) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Solothurn

St. Gallen (SG) - a
Kantonsgericht St. Gallen

Thurgau (TG) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Thurgau

Ticino (TI) - i
Tribunale di appello

Uri (UR) - a
Gerichtskanzlei Uri

Valais (VS) - f/a
Tribunal cantonal

Vaud (VD) - f
Tribunal cantonal

Zug (ZG) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Zug, Rechtshilfe

Zürich (ZH) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Zürich, Rechtshilfe

18-09-2001

Cantonal central authorities (list updated on 14 September 2001):
The competent Swiss authority for the place to which the request can be addressed may be consulted at the following address: http://www.elorge.admin.ch.
The correct co-ordinates for the cantons Luzern, Ticino and Uri are:

Luzern (LU) - a
Obergericht des Kantons Luzern

Ticino (TI) - i
Tribunale di appello

Uri (UR) - a
Landgericht Uri

03-06-2004

Cantonal Central Authorities
A list of the Cantonal Central Authorities including their address and phone/fax numbers can be consulted online at the following address: http://www.rhf.admin.ch/rhf/d/service/recht/Kantonale-Zentrralbehoerden.pdf

31-10-2011

Cantonal Central Authorities (modification) (list up to date as per 12 October 2012).
A list of the Central Cantonal Authorities including their address and phone/fax numbers can be consulted online at the following address: http://www.rhf.admin.ch/rhf/fr/home/zivil/behoerden/zentral.html.

25-09-2020

Cantonal Central Authorities (modification) (list up to date as per 23 July 2020)
A list of the Central Cantonal Authorities including their address, email address and phone/fax numbers can be consulted online at the following address: https://www.rhf.admin.ch/rhf/fr/home/zivilrecht/behoerden/zentralbehoerden.html

Authorities Türkiye

03-05-2002

In accordance with Article 35 of the Convention, the Republic of Turkey declares that:
The Ministry of Justice has been designated as the competent autority empowered to grant permission envisaged in Articles 16 and 17.

25-10-2004

Central Authority in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention:
Ministry of Justice
General Directorate for International Law and Foreign Relations

Authorities Ukraine

01-02-2001

In accordance with Article 2 of the Convention, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine is the Central Authority of Ukraine.

Authorities United Kingdom

16-07-1976

Designations
1. Under Article 2 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is designated as the Central Authority.
2. Under Article 16 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is designated as the competent authority.
3. Under Article 17 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is designated as the competent authority.
4. Under Article 18 the following are designated as the competent authorities for the places indicated:
The Senior Master of the Supreme Court (Queen's Bench Division) for England and Wales;
The Crown Agent for Scotland, for Scotland;
The Registrar of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland, for Northern Ireland.
5. Under Article 24 the following are designated as authorities additional to the Central Authority designated hereinbefore and as having competence in the places indicated:
The Senior Master of the Supreme Court (Queen's Bench Division) in England and Wales;
The Crown Agent for Scotland, for Scotland;
The Registrar of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland.

23-06-1978

Hong Kong
In accordance with Article 35 and Article 24 of the Convention, the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in Hong Kong.
In accordance with Article 35 and Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention, the Chief Secretary is designated as the competent authority for Hong Kong.

21-11-1978

Designations Gibraltar
(a) under Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention the Deputy Governor is designated as the competent authority for Gibraltar;
(b) under Article 18 of the Convention, the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar is designated as the competent authority;
(c) under Article 24 of the Convention, the Deputy Governor is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in Gibraltar.

25-06-1979

Designations Sovereign Base Areas
In accordance with Article 35 of the Convention the following designations have been made:
a) under Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention the Chief Officer, Sovereign Base Areas, is designated as the competent authority for the Sovereign Base Areas;
b) under Article 18 of the Convention, the Senior Registrar of the Judge's Court of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia is designated as the competent authority;
c) under Article 24 of the Convention, the Senior Registrar of the Judge's Court of the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in the Sovereign Base Areas.

26-11-1979

Designations Falkland Islands
a) under Articles 16, 17 and 18 of the Convention the Judge of the Supreme Court of the Falkland Islands, is designated as the competent authority for the Falkland Islands and Dependencies;
b) under Article 24 of the Convention, the Governor of the Falkland Islands and its Dependencies is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in the Falkland Islands and Dependencies.

16-04-1980

Designations Isle of Man
a) under Articles 16, 17 and 18 of the Convention Her Majesty's First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls is designated as the competent authority for the Isle of Man;
b) under Article 24 of the Convention, Her Majesty's First Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in the Isle of Man.

10-06-1980

Northern Ireland
The British Government notified that instead of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland, designated in 1976, the Master (Queen's Bench and Appeals) is designated as the competent authority for Northern Ireland under Article 18 and as the additional authority for Northern Ireland under Article 24 of the Convention.
The address of the Master (Queen's Bench and Appeals) is Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast 1.

16-09-1980

Designations Cayman Islands
a) Under Articles 16 and 17 of the Convention, the Attorney General is designated as the competent authority for the Cayman Islands;
b) Under Article 18 of the Convention, the Clerk of the Grand Court is designated as the competent authority;
c) Under Article 24 of the Convention, His Excellency the Governor is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in the Cayman Islands.

19-11-1985

Guernsey
Under Articles 8 and 25 of the Convention, the Bailiff, Deputy Bailiff, any Jurat of the Royal Court of Guernsey, the Chairman or a Jurat of the Court of Alderney and the Seneschal (or Deputy) of the Court of the Seneschal of Sark are designated as the competent authorities for Guernsey.

03-07-1986

Anguilla
Under Articles 16, 17 and 18 of the Convention the Registrar of the East Caribbean Supreme Court is designated as the competent authority for Anguilla.
Under Article 24 of the Convention, the Governor of Anguilla is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in Anguilla.

06-01-1987

Designations Jersey
(a) Under Articles 16, 17 and 18 of the Convention the Royal Court is designated as the competent authority for Jersey;
(b) Under Articles 24 and 25 of the Convention, the Royal Court is designated as an additional authority competent to receive Letters of Request for execution in Jersey.

21-03-2000

The designated authority for Scotland is:
The Scottish Executive Justice Department, Civil Justice & International Division.

29-08-2008

Central Authority for England and Wales (modification from 22 August 2008):
The Senior Master
The Foreign Process Department
Royal Courts of Justice

22-04-2010

Authority for Scotland (modification):
Scottish Government
EU & International Law Branch

Authorities United States of America

09-02-1973

The United States Department of Justice is designated as the Central Authority referred to in Article 2 of the Convention.
The Department of Justice is the competent authority for the purposes of Article [8].
The competent authority for the purposes of Article 18 is the United States district court of the district in which a person resides or is found.

Authorities Venezuela

16-05-1995

Central Authority
In accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention Venezuela has designated "el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores" as the Central Authority.

Authorities Vietnam

04-03-2020

Central Authority:
Ministry of Justice