ACT No. XXI of 2010 AN ACT to enable Malta to ratify the Hague Convention on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement and cooperation in respect of parental responsibility and measures for the protection of children concluded on the 19th October

I assent.

G EORGE A BELA

(L.S.)

President

14th December, 2010

ACT No. XXI of 2010

AN ACT to enable Malta to ratify the Hague Convention on

jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement and

cooperation in respect of parental responsibility and measures

for the protection of children concluded on the 19th October

1996. BE IT ENACTED by the President, by and with the advice and

consent of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliament

assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows

The short title of this Act is the Protection of Children Short title.

(Hague Convention) Act, 2010.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

(Article 2)

CONVENTION ON JURISDICTION, APPLICABLE LAW, RECOGNITION,

ENFORCEMENT AND CO-OPERATION IN RESPECT OF PARENTAL

RESPONSIBILITY AND MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF

CHILDREN

(Concluded 19 October 1996)

The States signatory to the present Convention,

Considering the need to improve the protection of children in international

situations,

Wishing to avoid conflicts between their legal systems in respect of

jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures for the

protection of children,

Recalling the importance of international co-operation for the protection of

children,

Confirming that the best interests of the child are to be a primary

consideration,

Noting that the Convention of 5 October 1961 concerning the powers of

authorities and the law applicable in respect of the protection of minors is in need

of revision,

Desiring to establish common provisions to this effect, taking into account

the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989,

Have agreed on the following provisions -

CHAPTER I - SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION

Article 1

(1) The objects of the present Convention are -

(a)

to determine the State whose authorities have jurisdiction to take

measures directed to the protection of the person or property of the child;

(b) to determine which law is to be applied by such authorities in

exercising their jurisdiction;

(c)

to determine the law applicable to parental responsibility;

(d) to provide for the recognition and enforcement of such measures

of protection in all Contracting States;

(e)

to establish such co-operation between the authorities of the

Contracting States as may be necessary in order to achieve the purposes of

this Convention.

(2) For the purposes of this Convention, the term ‘parental responsibility’

includes parental authority, or any analogous relationship of authority determining

the rights, powers and responsibilities of parents, guardians or other legal

representatives in relation to the person or the property of the child.

Article 2

The Convention applies to children from the moment of their birth until they

reach the age of 18 years.

Article 3

The measures referred to in Article 1 may deal in particular with -

(a)

the attribution, exercise, termination or restriction of parental

responsibility, as well as its delegation;

(b) rights of custody, including rights relating to the care of the

person of the child and, in particular, the right to determine the child's place

of residence, as well as rights of access including the right to take a child for

a limited period of time to a place other than the child's habitual residence;

(c)

guardianship, curatorship and analogous institutions;

(d) the designation and functions of any person or body having

charge of the child's person or property, representing or assisting the child;

(e)

the placement of the child in a foster family or in institutional

care, or the provision of care by kafala or an analogous institution;

(f)

the supervision by a public authority of the care of a child by any

person having charge of the child;

(g)

the administration, conservation or disposal of the child’s

property.

Article 4

The Convention does not apply to -

(a)

the establishment or contesting of a parent-child relationship;

(b) decisions on adoption, measures preparatory to adoption, or the

annulment or revocation of adoption;

(c)

the name and forenames of the child;

(d)

emancipation;

(e)

maintenance obligations;

(f)

trusts or succession;

(g)

social security;

(h)

public measures of a general nature in matters of education or

health;

(i)

measures taken as a result of penal offences committed by

children;

(j)

decisions on the right of asylum and on immigration.

CHAPTER II - JURISDICTION

Article 5

(1) The judicial or administrative authorities of the Contracting State of the

habitual residence of the child have jurisdiction to take measures directed to the

protection of the child’s person or property.

(2) Subject to Article 7, in case of a change of the child’s habitual residence

to another Contracting State, the authorities of the State of the new habitual

residence have jurisdiction.

Article 6

(1) For refugee children and children who, due to disturbances occurring in

their country, are internationally displaced, the authorities of the Contracting State

on the territory of which these children are present as a result of their displacement

have the jurisdiction provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 5.

(2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph also apply to children whose

habitual residence cannot be established.

Article 7

(1) In case of wrongful removal or retention of the child, the authorities of

the Contracting State in which the child was habitually resident immediately

before the removal or retention keep their jurisdiction until the child has acquired a

habitual residence in another State, and

(a)

each person, institution or other body having rights of custody

has acquiesced in the removal or retention; or

(b) the child has resided in that other State for a period of at least one

year after the person, institution or other body having rights of custody has or

should have had knowledge of the whereabouts of the child, no request for

return lodged within that period is still pending, and the child is settled in his

or her new environment.

(2) The removal or the retention of a child is to be considered wrongful

where -

(a)

it is in breach of rights of custody attributed to a person, an

institution or any other body, either jointly or alone, under the law of the

State in which the child was habitually resident immediately before the

removal or retention; and

(b) at the time of removal or retention those rights were actually

exercised, either jointly or alone, or would have been so exercised but for the

removal or retention.

The rights of custody mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above, may arise in

particular by operation of law or by reason of a judicial or administrative decision,

or by reason of an agreement having legal effect under the law of that State.

(3) So long as the authorities first mentioned in paragraph (1) keep their

jurisdiction, the authorities of the Contracting State to which the child has been

removed or in which he or she has been retained can take only such urgent

measures under Article 11 as are necessary for the protection of the person or

property of the child.

Article 8

(1) By way of exception, the authority of a Contracting State having

jurisdiction under Article 5 or 6, if it considers that the authority of another

Contracting State would be better placed in the particular case to assess the best

interests of the child, may either

-

request that other authority, directly or with the assistance of the

central authority of its State, to assume jurisdiction to take such measures of

protection as it considers to be necessary, or

-

suspend consideration of the case and invite the parties to

introduce such a request before the authority of that other State.

(2) The Contracting States whose authorities may be addressed as provided

in the preceding paragraph are

(a)

a State of which the child is a national,

(b)

a State in which property of the child is located,

(c)

a State whose authorities are seised of an application for divorce

or legal separation of the child’s parents, or for annulment of their marriage,

(d)

a State with which the child has a substantial connection.

(3) The authorities concerned may proceed to an exchange of views.

(4) The authority addressed as provided in paragraph (1) may assume

jurisdiction, in place of the authority having jurisdiction under Article 5 or 6, if it

considers that this is in the child’s best interests.

Article 9

(1) If the authorities of a Contracting State referred to in Article 8,

paragraph (2), consider that they are better placed in the particular case to assess

the child’s best interests, they may either

-

request the competent authority of the Contracting State of the

habitual residence of the child, directly or with the assistance of the Central

Authority of that State, that they be authorised to exercise jurisdiction to take

the measures of protection which they consider to be necessary, or

-

invite the parties to introduce such a request before the authority

of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child.

(2) The authorities concerned may proceed to an exchange of views.

(3) The authority initiating the request may exercise jurisdiction in place of

the authority of the Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child only if

the latter authority has accepted the request.

Article 10

(1) Without prejudice to Articles 5 to 9, the authorities of a Contracting

State exercising jurisdiction to decide upon an application for divorce or legal

separation of the parents of a child habitually resident in another Contracting State,

or for annulment of their marriage, may, if the law of their State so provides, take

measures directed to the protection of the person or property of such child if

(a)

at the time of commencement of the proceedings, one of his or

her parents habitually resides in that State and one of them has parental

responsibility in relation to the child, and

(b)

the jurisdiction of these authorities to take such measures has

been accepted by the parents, as well as by any other person who has parental

responsibility in relation to the child, and is in the best interests of the child.

(2) The jurisdiction provided for by paragraph (1) to take measures for the

protection of the child ceases as soon as the decision allowing or refusing the

application for divorce, legal separation or annulment of the marriage has become

final, or the proceedings have come to an end for another reason.

Article 11

(1) In all cases of urgency, the authorities of any Contracting State in whose

territory the child or property belonging to the child is present have jurisdiction to

take any necessary measures of protection.

(2) The measures taken under the preceding paragraph with regard to a

child habitually resident in a Contracting State shall lapse as soon as the authorities

which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 have taken the measures required by

the situation.

(3) The measures taken under paragraph (1) with regard to a child who is

habitually resident in a non-Contracting State shall lapse in each Contracting State

as soon as measures required by the situation and taken by the authorities of

another State are recognised in the Contracting State in question.

Article 12

(1) Subject to Article 7, the authorities of a Contracting State in whose

territory the child or property belonging to the child is present have jurisdiction to

take measures of a provisional character for the protection of the person or

property of the child which have a territorial effect limited to the State in question,

in so far as such measures are not incompatible with measures already taken by

authorities which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10.

(2) The measures taken under the preceding paragraph with regard to a

child habitually resident in a Contracting State shall lapse as soon as the authorities

which have jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 have taken a decision in respect of

the measures of protection which may be required by the situation.

(3) The measures taken under paragraph (1) with regard to a child who is

habitually resident in a non-Contracting State shall lapse in the Contracting State

where the measures were taken as soon as measures required by the situation and

taken by the authorities of another State are recognised in the Contracting State in

question.

Article 13

(1) The authorities of a Contracting State which have jurisdiction under

Articles 5 to 10 to take measures for the protection of the person or property of the

child must abstain from exercising this jurisdiction if, at the time of the

commencement of the proceedings, corresponding measures have been requested

from the authorities of another Contracting State having jurisdiction under Articles

5 to 10 at the time of the request and are still under consideration.

(2) The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not apply if the

authorities before whom the request for measures was initially introduced have

declined jurisdiction.

Article 14

The measures taken in application of Articles 5 to 10 remain in force

according to their terms, even if a change of circumstances has eliminated the basis

upon which jurisdiction was founded, so long as the authorities which have

jurisdiction under the Convention have not modified, replaced or terminated such

measures.

CHAPTER III - APPLICABLE LAW

Article 15

(1) In exercising their jurisdiction under the provisions of Chapter II, the

authorities of the Contracting States shall apply their own law.

(2) However, in so far as the protection of the person or the property of the

child requires, they may exceptionally apply or take into consideration the law of

another State with which the situation has a substantial connection.

(3) If the child’s habitual residence changes to another Contracting State,

the law of that other State governs, from the time of the change, the conditions of

application of the measures taken in the State of the former habitual residence.

Article 16

(1) The attribution or extinction of parental responsibility by operation of

law, without the intervention of a judicial or administrative authority, is governed

by the law of the State of the habitual residence of the child.

(2) The attribution or extinction of parental responsibility by an agreement

or a unilateral act, without intervention of a judicial or administrative authority, is

governed by the law of the State of the child’s habitual residence at the time when

the agreement or unilateral act takes effect.

(3) Parental responsibility which exists under the law of the State of the

child’s habitual residence subsists after a change of that habitual residence to

another State.

(4) If the child’s habitual residence changes, the attribution of parental

responsibility by operation of law to a person who does not already have such

responsibility is governed by the law of the State of the new habitual residence.

Article 17

The exercise of parental responsibility is governed by the law of the State of

the child’s habitual residence. If the child’s habitual residence changes, it is

governed by the law of the State of the new habitual residence.

Article 18

The parental responsibility referred to in Article 16 may be terminated, or the

conditions of its exercise modified, by measures taken under this Convention.

Article 19

(1) The validity of a transaction entered into between a third party and

another person who would be entitled to act as the child’s legal representative

under the law of the State where the transaction was concluded cannot be

contested, and the third party cannot be held liable, on the sole ground that the

other person was not entitled to act as the child’s legal representative under the law

designated by the provisions of this Chapter, unless the third party knew or should

have known that the parental responsibility was governed by the latter law.

(2) The preceding paragraph applies only if the transaction was entered into

between persons present on the territory of the same State.

Article 20

The provisions of this Chapter apply even if the law designated by them is

the law of a non-Contracting State.

Article 21

(1) In this Chapter the term "law" means the law in force in a State other

than its choice of law rules.

(2) However, if the law applicable according to Article 16 is that of a non-

Contracting State and if the choice of law rules of that State designate the law of

another non-Contracting State which would apply its own law, the law of the latter

State applies. If that other non-Contracting State would not apply its own law, the

applicable law is that designated by Article 16.

Article 22

The application of the law designated by the provisions of this Chapter can

be refused only if this application would be manifestly contrary to public policy,

taking into account the best interests of the child.

CHAPTER IV - RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

Article 23

(1) The measures taken by the authorities of a Contracting State shall be

recognised by operation of law in all other Contracting States.

(2) Recognition may however be refused -

(a)

if the measure was taken by an authority whose jurisdiction was

not based on one of the grounds provided for in Chapter II;

(b) if the measure was taken, except in a case of urgency, in the

context of a judicial or administrative proceeding, without the child having

been provided the opportunity to be heard, in violation of fundamental

principles of procedure of the requested State;

(c)

on the request of any person claiming that the measure infringes

his or her parental responsibility, if such measure was taken, except in a case

of urgency, without such person having been given an opportunity to be

heard;

(d) if such recognition is manifestly contrary to public policy of the

requested State, taking into account the best interests of the child;

(e)

if the measure is incompatible with a later measure taken in the

non-Contracting State of the habitual residence of the child, where this later

measure fulfils the requirements for recognition in the requested State;

(f)

if the procedure provided in Article 33 has not been complied

with.

Article 24

Without prejudice to Article 23, paragraph (1), any interested person may

request from the competent authorities of a Contracting State that they decide on

the recognition or non-recognition of a measure taken in another Contracting State.

The procedure is governed by the law of the requested State.

Article 25

The authority of the requested State is bound by the findings of fact on which

the authority of the State where the measure was taken based its jurisdiction.

Article 26

(1) If measures taken in one Contracting State and enforceable there require

enforcement in another Contracting State, they shall, upon request by an interested

party, be declared enforceable or registered for the purpose of enforcement in that

other State according to the procedure provided in the law of the latter State.

(2) Each Contracting State shall apply to the declaration of enforceability or

registration a simple and rapid procedure.

(3) The declaration of enforceability or registration may be refused only for

one of the reasons set out in Article 23, paragraph (2).

Article 27

Without prejudice to such review as is necessary in the application of the

preceding Articles, there shall be no review of the merits of the measure taken.

Article 28

Measures taken in one Contracting State and declared enforceable, or

registered for the purpose of enforcement, in another Contracting State shall be

enforced in the latter State as if they had been taken by the authorities of that State.

Enforcement takes place in accordance with the law of the requested State to the

extent provided by such law, taking into consideration the best interests of the

child.

CHAPTER V - CO-OPERATION

Article 29

(1) A Contracting State shall designate a central authority to discharge the

duties which are imposed by the Convention on such authorities.

(2) Federal States, States with more than one system of law or States having

autonomous territorial units shall be free to appoint more than one central

authority and to specify the territorial or personal extent of their functions. Where

a State has appointed more than one central authority, it shall designate the central

authority to which any communication may be addressed for transmission to the

appropriate central authority within that State.

Article 30

(1) Central authorities shall co-operate with each other and promote co-

operation amongst the competent authorities in their States to achieve the purposes

of the Convention.

(2) They shall, in connection with the application of the Convention, take

appropriate steps to provide information as to the laws of, and services available

in, their States relating to the protection of children.

Article 31

The central authority of a Contracting State, either directly or through public

authorities or other bodies, shall take all appropriate steps to -

(a)

facilitate the communications and offer the assistance provided

for in Articles 8 and 9 and in this Chapter;

(b) facilitate, by mediation, conciliation or similar means, agreed

solutions for the protection of the person or property of the child in situations

to which the Convention applies;

(c)

provide, on the request of a competent authority of another

Contracting State, assistance in discovering the whereabouts of a child where

it appears that the child may be present and in need of protection within the

territory of the requested State.

Article 32

On a request made with supporting reasons by the central authority or other

competent authority of any Contracting State with which the child has a substantial

connection, the central authority of the Contracting State in which the child is

habitually resident and present may, directly or through public authorities or other

bodies,

(a)

provide a report on the situation of the child;

(b) request the competent authority of its State to consider the need

to take measures for the protection of the person or property of the child.

Article 33

(1) If an authority having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 contemplates

the placement of the child in a foster family or institutional care, or the provision

of care by kafala or an analogous institution, and if such placement or such

provision of care is to take place in another Contracting State, it shall first consult

with the central authority or other competent authority of the latter State. To that

effect it shall transmit a report on the child together with the reasons for the

proposed placement or provision of care.

(2) The decision on the placement or provision of care may be made in the

requesting State only if the central authority or other competent authority of the

requested State has consented to the placement or provision of care, taking into

account the child’s best interests.

Article 34

(1) Where a measure of protection is contemplated, the competent

authorities under the Convention, if the situation of the child so requires, may

request any authority of another Contracting State which has information relevant

to the protection of the child to communicate such information.

(2) A Contracting State may declare that requests under paragraph (1) shall

be communicated to its authorities only through its central authority.

Article 35

(1) The competent authorities of a Contracting State may request the

authorities of another Contracting State to assist in the implementation of measures

of protection taken under this Convention, especially in securing the effective

exercise of rights of access as well as of the right to maintain direct contacts on a

regular basis.

(2) The authorities of a Contracting State in which the child does not

habitually reside may, on the request of a parent residing in that State who is

seeking to obtain or to maintain access to the child, gather information or evidence

and may make a finding on the suitability of that parent to exercise access and on

the conditions under which access is to be exercised. An authority exercising

jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 to determine an application concerning access to

the child, shall admit and consider such information, evidence and finding before

reaching its decision.

(3) An authority having jurisdiction under Articles 5 to 10 to decide on

access may adjourn a proceeding pending the outcome of a request made under

paragraph (2), in particular, when it is considering an application to restrict or

terminate access rights granted in the State of the child’s former habitual residence.

(4) Nothing in this Article shall prevent an authority having jurisdiction

under Articles 5 to 10 from taking provisional measures pending the outcome of

the request made under paragraph (2).

Article 36

In any case where the child is exposed to a serious danger, the competent

authorities of the Contracting State where measures for the protection of the child

have been taken or are under consideration, if they are informed that the child’s

residence has changed to, or that the child is present in another State, shall inform

the authorities of that other State about the danger involved and the measures taken

or under consideration.

Article 37

An authority shall not request or transmit any information under this Chapter

if to do so would, in its opinion, be likely to place the child’s person or property in

danger, or constitute a serious threat to the liberty or life of a member of the child’s

family.

Article 38

(1) Without prejudice to the possibility of imposing reasonable charges for

the provision of services, central authorities and other public authorities of

Contracting States shall bear their own costs in applying the provisions of this

Chapter.

(2) Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or more

other Contracting States concerning the allocation of charges.

Article 39

Any Contracting State may enter into agreements with one or more other

Contracting States with a view to improving the application of this Chapter in their

mutual relations. The States which have concluded such an agreement shall

transmit a copy to the depositary of the Convention.

CHAPTER VI - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 40

(1) The authorities of the Contracting State of the child’s habitual

residence, or of the Contracting State where a measure of protection has been

taken, may deliver to the person having parental responsibility or to the person

entrusted with protection of the child’s person or property, at his or her request, a

certificate indicating the capacity in which that person is entitled to act and the

powers conferred upon him or her.

(2) The capacity and powers indicated in the certificate are presumed to be

vested in that person, in the absence of proof to the contrary.

(3) Each Contracting State shall designate the authorities competent to

draw up the certificate.

Article 41

Personal data gathered or transmitted under the Convention shall be used

only for the purposes for which they were gathered or transmitted.

Article 42

The authorities to whom information is transmitted shall ensure its

confidentiality, in accordance with the law of their State.

Article 43

All documents forwarded or delivered under this Convention shall be exempt

from legalisation or any analogous formality.

Article 44

Each Contracting State may designate the authorities to which requests under

Articles 8, 9 and 33 are to be addressed.

Article 45

(1) The designations referred to in Articles 29 and 44 shall be

communicated to the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private

International Law.

(2) The declaration referred to in Article 34, paragraph (2), shall be made to

the depositary of the Convention.

Article 46

A Contracting State in which different systems of law or sets of rules of law

apply to the protection of the child and his or her property shall not be bound to

apply the rules of the Convention to conflicts solely between such different

systems or sets of rules of law.

Article 47

In relation to a State in which two or more systems of law or sets of rules of

law with regard to any matter dealt with in this Convention apply in different

territorial units -

(1) any reference to habitual residence in that State shall be

construed as referring to habitual residence in a territorial unit;

(2) any reference to the presence of the child in that State shall be

construed as referring to presence in a territorial unit;

(3) any reference to the location of property of the child in that State

shall be construed as referring to location of property of the child in a

territorial unit;

(4) any reference to the State of which the child is a national shall be

construed as referring to the territorial unit designated by the law of that State

or, in the absence of relevant rules, to the territorial unit with which the child

has the closest connection;

(5)

any reference to the State whose authorities are seised of an

application for divorce or legal separation of the child’s parents, or for

annulment of their marriage, shall be construed as referring to the territorial

unit whose authorities are seised of such application;

(6) any reference to the State with which the child has a substantial

connection shall be construed as referring to the territorial unit with which

the child has such connection;

(7) any reference to the State to which the child has been removed or

in which he or she has been retained shall be construed as referring to the

relevant territorial unit to which the child has been removed or in which he or

she has been retained;

(8) any reference to bodies or authorities of that State, other than

central authorities, shall be construed as referring to those authorised to act in

the relevant territorial unit;

(9) any reference to the law or procedure or authority of the State in

which a measure has been taken shall be construed as referring to the law or

procedure or authority of the territorial unit in which such measure was

taken;

(10) any reference to the law or procedure or authority of the

requested State shall be construed as referring to the law or procedure or

authority of the territorial unit in which recognition or enforcement is sought.

Article 48

For the purpose of identifying the applicable law under Chapter III, in

relation to a State which comprises two or more territorial units each of which has

its own system of law or set of rules of law in respect of matters covered by this

Convention, the following rules apply -

(a)

if there are rules in force in such a State identifying which

territorial unit’s law is applicable, the law of that unit applies;

(b) in the absence of such rules, the law of the relevant territorial unit

as defined in Article 47 applies.

Article 49

For the purpose of identifying the applicable law under Chapter III, in

relation to a State which has two or more systems of law or sets of rules of law

applicable to different categories of persons in respect of matters covered by this

Convention, the following rules apply -

(a)

if there are rules in force in such a State identifying which among

such laws applies, that law applies;

(b) in the absence of such rules, the law of the system or the set of

rules of law with which the child has the closest connection applies.

Article 50

This Convention shall not affect the application of the Convention of 25

October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, as between

Parties to both Conventions. Nothing, however, precludes provisions of this

Convention from being invoked for the purposes of obtaining the return of a child

who has been wrongfully removed or retained or of organising access rights.

Article 51

In relations between the Contracting States this Convention replaces the

Convention of 5 October 1961 concerning the powers of authorities and the law

applicable in respect of the protection of minors, and the Convention governing the

guardianship of minors, signed at The Hague 12 June 1902, without prejudice to

the recognition of measures taken under the Convention of 5 October 1961

mentioned above.

Article 52

(1) This Convention does not affect any international instrument to which

Contracting States are Parties and which contains provisions on matters governed

by the Convention, unless a contrary declaration is made by the States Parties to

such instrument.

(2) This Convention does not affect the possibility for one or more

Contracting States to conclude agreements which contain, in respect of children

habitually resident in any of the States Parties to such agreements, provisions on

matters governed by this Convention.

(3) Agreements to be concluded by one or more Contracting States on

matters within the scope of this Convention do not affect, in the relationship of

such States with other Contracting States, the application of the provisions of this

Convention.

(4) The preceding paragraphs also apply to uniform laws based on special

ties of a regional or other nature between the States concerned.

Article 53

(1) The Convention shall apply to measures only if they are taken in a State

after the Convention has entered into force for that State.

(2) The Convention shall apply to the recognition and enforcement of

measures taken after its entry into force as between the State where the measures

have been taken and the requested State.

Article 54

(1) Any communication sent to the central authority or to another authority

of a Contracting State shall be in the original language, and shall be accompanied

by a translation into the official language or one of the official languages of the

other State or, where that is not feasible, a translation into French or English.

(2) However, a Contracting State may, by making a reservation in

accordance with Article 60, object to the use of either French or English, but not

both.

Article 55

(1) A Contracting State may, in accordance with Article 60,

(a)

reserve the jurisdiction of its authorities to take measures directed

to the protection of property of a child situated on its territory;

(b) reserve the right not to recognise any parental responsibility or

measure in so far as it is incompatible with any measure taken by its

authorities in relation to that property.

(2) The reservation may be restricted to certain categories of property.

Article 56

The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law

shall at regular intervals convoke a Special Commission in order to review the

practical operation of the Convention.

CHAPTER VII - FINAL CLAUSES

Article 57

(1) The Convention shall be open for signature by the States which were

Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the time of its

Eighteenth Session.

(2) It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the instruments of

ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign

Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, depositary of the Convention.

Article 58

(1) Any other State may accede to the Convention after it has entered into

force in accordance with Article 61, paragraph (1).

(2) The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the depositary.

(3) Such accession shall have effect only as regards the relations between

the acceding State and those Contracting States which have not raised an objection

to its accession in the six months after the receipt of the notification referred to in

sub-paragraph (b) of Article 63. Such an objection may also be raised by States at

the time when they ratify, accept or approve the Convention after an accession.

Any such objection shall be notified to the depositary.

Article 59

(1) If a State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of

law are applicable in relation to matters dealt with in this Convention, it may at the

time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that the

Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or only to one or more of them

and may modify this declaration by submitting another declaration at any time.

(2) Any such declaration shall be notified to the depositary and shall state

expressly the territorial units to which the Convention applies.

(3) If a State makes no declaration under this Article, the Convention is to

extend to all territorial units of that State.

Article 60

(1) Any State may, not later than the time of ratification, acceptance,

approval or accession, or at the time of making a declaration in terms of Article 59,

make one or both of the reservations provided for in Articles 54, paragraph (2), and

55. No other reservation shall be permitted.

(2) Any State may at any time withdraw a reservation it has made. The

withdrawal shall be notified to the depositary.

(3) The reservation shall cease to have effect on the first day of the third

calendar month after the notification referred to in the preceding paragraph.

Article 61

(1) The Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month

following the expiration of three months after the deposit of the third instrument of

ratification, acceptance or approval referred to in Article 57.

(2) Thereafter the Convention shall enter into force -

(a)

for each State ratifying, accepting or approving it subsequently,

on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after

the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or

accession;

(b)

for each State acceding, on the first day of the month following

the expiration of three months after the expiration of the period of six months

provided in Article 58, paragraph (3);

(c)

for a territorial unit to which the Convention has been extended in

conformity with Article 59, on the first day of the month following the

expiration of three months after the notification referred to in that Article.

Article 62

(1) A State Party to the Convention may denounce it by a notification in

writing addressed to the depositary. The denunciation may be limited to certain

territorial units to which the Convention applies.

(2) The denunciation takes effect on the first day of the month following the

expiration of twelve months after the notification is received by the depositary.

Where a longer period for the denunciation to take effect is specified in the

notification, the denunciation takes effect upon the expiration of such longer

period.

Article 63

The depositary shall notify the States Members of the Hague Conference on

Private International Law and the States which have acceded in accordance with

Article 58 of the following -

(a)

the signatures, ratifications, acceptances and approvals referred

to in Article 57;

(b) the accessions and objections raised to accessions referred to in

Article 58;

(c)

the date on which the Convention enters into force in accordance

with Article 61;

(d)

the declarations referred to in Articles 34, paragraph (2), and 59;

(e)

the agreements referred to in Article 39;

(f)

the reservations referred to in Articles 54, paragraph (2), and 55

and the withdrawals referred to in Article 60, paragraph (2);

(g)

the denunciations referred to in Article 62.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have

signed this Convention.

DONE at The Hague, on the 19th day of October 1996, in the English and

French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall

be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through diplomatic channels, to each of

the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the

date of its Eighteenth Session.

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 294 of the 7th

December, 2010.

M ICHAEL F RENDO

Speaker

P AULINE A BELA

Clerk to the House of Representatives

Interpretation.

"central authority" means the Authority appointed under article

"child" means a person under the age of eighteen years;

"Contracting State" means those States, other than Malta, as

shall from time to time be specified by the Minister by an order made

under article 4;

"Convention" means the Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable

Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Cooperation in respect of

Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children

concluded on the 19th October, 1996 within the Hague Conference on

Private International Law, the text of which is set out in the First

Schedule;

"judgment" means a judgment or order which is directed to the

protection of the person or property of a child and is made either by a

court in the State or by a competent judicial or administrative

authority of another contracting state;

"Malta" has the same meaning assigned to it by article 124 of

the Constitution;

"measure" means a judgment or decision which is made in

accordance with Chapter II of the Convention, and references to the

taking of a measure shall be construed as references to the making of

such a judgment or decision;

"the Minister" means the Minister responsible for justice;

"Non-Contracting State" means any State which is not a

Contracting State;

"prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the

Minister under this Act.

By virtue of this Act, the Government of Malta is hereby

authorised to ratify the Convention.

(1) The Minister may, by order in the Gazette, from

time to time specify the Contracting States, other than Malta, for the

purposes of the Convention.

(2) Such order shall specify the date of coming into force of

the Convention, as between Malta and any State specified in the

order.

(3) Where the Convention applies, or applies only, to a

particular territory or particular territories specified in a declaration

made by a Contracting State, reference to that State in subarticles (1)

and (2) shall be construed as references to that territory or those

territories under Article 59 of the Convention.

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the

Convention shall have the force of law in Malta.

The functions under the Convention of a central authority Central

authority.

shall be discharged by the Director responsible for Welfare.

(1) References in the Convention to authorities or Jurisdiction.

authority, however qualified, shall be construed, where they occur -

(a)

in Chapter II of the Convention, as including

references to the appropriate court,

(b) in Articles 24, 25 and 28, as references to the Court

of Appeal,

(c) in Articles 32, 33, 34, 35(1), 36 and 37, as including

references to the appropriate court, and

(d) in Article 35(2), as including a reference to the Civil

Court (Family Section).

(2) In proceedings under Chapter IV of the Convention for the

recognition, enforcement or non-recognition of a measure taken in

another contracting state, the Court of Appeal pursuant to that

Chapter and subject to subarticle (5) of this article, if applicable -

(a)

if the request is for the recognition or enforcement

of the measure, order either -

(i)

that the measure be recognised or enforced

in whole or in part, subject to any necessary modifications

or adaptations, or

(ii)

that the request be refused, or

(b) if the request is for the non-recognition of the

measure, order either -

(i)

that the measure not be recognised, or

(ii)

that it be recognised or enforced in whole or

in part, subject to any necessary modifications or

adaptations.

(3) On the hearing of a request under Article 35(2) of the

Convention by a parent residing in the State who is seeking to obtain

or maintain access to his or her child (being a child who does not

habitually reside therein), the Civil Court (Family Section) shall by

order declare either -

(a)

that in its opinion the person is suitable to exercise

access to the child (in which case the Court may, where

appropriate, specify the conditions under which access should

be exercised), or

(b) that the person is not suitable to exercise access to

the child.

(4) If, pursuant to Article 55(1)(a) of the Convention, the State

has reserved the jurisdiction of its authorities to take measures

directed to the protection of property (or certain categories of

property) of a child situated on its territory in cases where those

authorities would not otherwise have jurisdiction under the

Convention, then, for so long as the reservation has not been

withdrawn, the appropriate courts shall in those cases have the

jurisdiction so reserved.

(5) If, pursuant to Article 55(1)(b) of the Convention, the State

has reserved the right not to recognise any parental responsibility or

measure in so far as it is incompatible with any measure taken by its

authorities in relation to any such property or categories of property

mentioned in subarticle (4), then, for so long as the reservation has

not been withdrawn, the First Hall of the Civil Court may refuse

recognition of any such parental responsibility or measure to the

extent that it is so incompatible.

(1) For the purposes of Articles 24, 25 and 28 of the

Convention, any interested person may make an application in the

registry of the Court of Appeal for the recognition or non-recognition

of a decision or measure taken in another Contracting State.

(2) For the purposes of Article 35(2) of the Convention, a

parent may make an application in the registry of the Civil Court

(Family Section) for obtaining or maintaining access to his or her

child being a child who does not habitually reside in the State.

The provisions of the Code of Organization and Civil

Procedure relative to appeals from decisions of the Civil Court

(Family Section) shall apply to such decisions.

(1) Any document purporting to be a document

forwarded or delivered under the Convention may be admitted as

evidence that it is such a document and as evidence of any matter to

which it relates, subject to it being a duly authenticated copy of a

decision, order or measure; and any document purporting to be such a

copy shall be deemed to be a true copy unless the contrary is shown.

(2) For the purposes of subarticle (1), a copy is duly

authenticated if it bears the seal, or is signed by a judge or officer of

the authority in question.

(3) For the purposes of the Convention, any certified copy of

any such document, shall be sufficient evidence of anything stated in

the document.

The Court may, either directly or with the assistance of the Requests.

central authority, address requests for the purposes of Articles 8 or 9

of the Convention, to the appropriate authority in another contracting

State.

Where the central authority is requested to provide Reports.

information relating to a child under Articles 31, 32 or 34 of the

Convention, it may

(a)

request any person to make a report to it in writing

with respect to any matter which appears to it to be relevant;

(b) request any court to which a written report relating

to the child has been made to send it a copy of the report,

and such a request shall be duly complied with.

(1) The Rule-Making Board set up under article 29 of Rules of Court.

the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure may make such Cap. 12.

provision for giving effect to this Act as appears to that Board to be

necessary or expedient.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subarticle (1), rules

of court may make provision -

(a)

with respect to the procedure on applications to a

court under any provision of this Act and with respect to the

documents and information to be furnished;

(b) for the giving of directions requiring the disclosure

of information about any child who is the subject of proceedings

under this Act and for safeguarding its welfare.

(3) The Minister responsible for justice may by regulations

under this subarticle establish the fees payable in the registry of the

courts in relation to the filing of judicial acts in connection with any

procedure under this Act

Provided that until such fees are so established by the Minister,

the fees contained in the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure

shall apply.

The Minister may make regulations prescribing anything Regulations.

that in virtue of this Act is required to be or may be prescribed and

generally for carrying out the provisions of this Act and for doing

anything that may be required for the purpose of satisfying the

obligations of Malta under the Convention.

In the Schedule to this Act, should there be any conflict

between the English and the Maltese texts, the English text shall

prevail.

Artikolu 22

L-appliakazzjoni tal-ligi indikata fid-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Kapitolu

tista’ tiġi rrifjutata biss jekk din l-applikazzjoni kienet tkun tmur manifestament

kontra l-ordni pubbliku, b’konsiderazzjoni mogħtija lill-aħjar interessi tat-tifel.

KAPITOLU IV - RIKONOXXIMENT U INFURZAR

Artikolu 23

1. Il-miżuri meħudin mill-awtoritajiet tal-Istat Kontraenti għandhom jiġu

rikonoxxuti skond l-operazzjoni tal-liġi fl-Istati Kontraenti oħra kollha.

2. Rikonoxximent jista’ madankollu jiġi rrifjutat -

(a)

jekk il-miżura ttieħdet minn awtorità li l-ġurisdizzjoni tagħha ma

kenitx ibbazata fuq waħda mir-raġunijiet previsti fil-Kapitolu II;

(b) jekk il-miżura ttieħdet, ħlief f’każ ta’ urġenza, fil-kuntest ta’

proċeduri ġudizzjarji jew amministrattivi, mingħajr ma tkun ingħatat

opportunità lit-tifel biex jinstema, bi ksur tal-prinċipji fundamentali tal-

proċedura tal-Istat rikjest;

(ċ)

fuq it-talba ta’ kwalunkwe persuna li tippretendi li l-miżura tikser

ir-responsabbiltà tal-ġenitur tiegħu jew tagħha, jekk din il-miżura kienet

meħuda, ħlief f’każ ta’ urġenza, mingħajr ma din il-persuna tkun ingħatat

opportunità biex tinstema;

(d) jekk dan ir-rikonoxximent jmur manifestament kontra l-ordni

pubbliku tal-Istat rikjest, b’konsiderazzjoni mogħtija għall-aħjar interessi tat-

tifel;

(e)

jekk il-miżura hi inkompatibbli ma’ miżura meħuda aktar tard fl-

Istat mhux Kontraenti tar-residenza abitwali tat-tifel, fejn din il-miżura

meħuda aktar tard taderixxi mar-rekwiżiti għar-rikonoxximent fl-Istat rikjest;

(f)

jekk il-proċedura prevista fl-Artikolu 33 ma kenitx segwita.

Artikolu 24

Mingħajr preġudizzju għall-Artikolu 23(1), kwalunkwe persuna interessata

tista’ titlob lill-awtoritajiet kompetenti ta’ Stat Kontraenti li jiddeċiedu fuq ir-

rikonoxximent jew nuqqas ta’ rikonoxximent ta’ miżura meħuda fi Stat Kontraenti

ieħor. Il-proċedura hi rregolata mil-liġi tal-Istat rikjest.

Artikolu 25

L-awtorità tal-Istat rikjest hi marbuta mal-konklużjonijiet ta’ fatt li fuqhom l-

awtorità tal-Istat fejn ittieħdet il-miżura bbażat il-ġurisdizzjoni tagħha.

Artikolu 26

(1) Jekk miżuri meħudin fi Stat Kontraenti wieħed u infurzabbli hemm

jeħtieġu nfurzar fi Stat Kontraenti ieħor, għandhom, fuq talba minn parti

interessata, jiġu ddikjarati infurzabbli jew reġistrati għall-għan ta’ infurzar f’dak l-

Istat ieħor skond il-proċedura prevista fil-liġi tal-Istat l-aħħar imsemmi.

(2) Kull Stat Kontraenti għandu japplika proċedura sempliċi u rapida fir-

rigward tad-dikjarazzjoni ta’ infurzabbiltà jew reġistrazzjoni.

(3) Id-dikjarazzjoni ta’ infurzabbiltà jew reġistrazzjoni tista’ tiġi rrifjutata

biss għal waħda mir-raġunijiet stabbiliti fl-Artikolu 23(2).

Artikolu 27

Mingħajr preġudizzju għar-reviżjoni kif hi neċessarja fl-applikazzjoni tal-

Artikoli ta’ qabel dan, m’għandux ikun hemm reviżjoni tal-merti tal-miżura

meħuda.

Artikolu 28

Miżuri meħudin fi Stat Kontraenti wieħed u ddikjarati infurzabbli, jew

reġistrati għall-infurzar, fi Stat Kontraenti ieħor għandhom jiġu nfurzati fl-Istat tal-

aħħar bħallikieku kienu meħudin mill-awtoritajiet ta’ dak l-Istat. L-infurzar jseħħ

skond il-liġi tal-Istat rikjest sal-punt previst minn din il-liġi, waqt li jitqiesu l-aħjar

interessi tat-tifel

KAPITOLU V - KOPERAZZJONI

Artikolu 29

(1) Stat Kontraenti għandu jinnomina awtorità ċentrali biex twettaq id-

doveri li kienu imposti mill-Konvenzjoni fuq dawn l-awtoritajiet.

(2) Stati Federali, Stati b’iżjed minn sistema waħda ta’ liġi jew Stati li

għandhom unitajiet territorjali awtonomi għandhom ikunu ħielsa li jaħtru iżjed

minn awtorità ċentrali waħda u li jispeċifikaw il-limitu territorjali jew personali

tal-funzjonijiet tagħhom. Fejn Stat ħatar iżjed minn awtorità ċentrali waħda,

għandu jinnomina l-awtorità ċentrali li lilha kwalunkwe komunikazzjoni tista’ tiġi

indirizzata għat-trasmissjoni lill-awtorità ċentrali xierqa f'dak l-Istat.

Artikolu 30

(1) L-awtoritajiet ċentrali għandhom jikoperaw ma’ xulxin u jipporomwovu

l-koperazzjoni bejn l-awtoritajiet kompetenti fl-Istati tagħhom sabiex jilħqu l-

għanijiet tal-Konvenzjoni.

(2) Dwar l-applikazzjoni tal-Konvenzjoni, huma għandhom jieħdu l-passi

xierqa biex jipprovdu informazzjoni dwar il-liġijiet ta’, u s-servizzi disponibbli, fl-

Istati tagħhom li jirrigwardaw il-protezzjoni tat-tfal.

Artikolu 31

L-awtorità ċentrali tal-Istat Kontraenti, direttament jew permezz ta’

awtoritajiet pubbliċi jew organi oħra, għandha tieħu l-passi xierqa kollha sabiex -

(a)

tiffaċilita l-komunikazzjonijiet u toffri l-assistenza prevista fl-

Artikoli 8 u 9 u f’dan il-Kapitolu;

(b) tiffaċilita, permezz ta’ medjazzjoni, konċiljazzjoni jew mezzi

simili, soluzzjonijiet miftehmin għall-protezzjoni tal-persuna jew proprjetà

tat-tifel f’sitwazzjonijet fejn tapplika l-Konvenzjoni;

(ċ)

tipprovdi, fuq it-talba ta’ awtorità kompetenti ta’ Stat Kontraenti

ieħor, assistenza fl-iskoperta ta’ fejn jinstab it-tifel fejn jidher li t-tifel jista’

jkun preżenti u fi bżonn ta’ protezzjoni ġewwa t-territorju tal-Istat rikjest.

Artikolu 32

Fuq talba magħmula b’raġunijiet li jsostnuha mill-awtorità ċentrali jew

awtorità kompetenti oħra ta’ kwalunkwe Stat Kontraenti li miegħu t-tifel għandu

konnessjoni sostanzjali, l-awtorità ċentrali ta’ l-Istat Kontraenti fejn it-tifel

abitwalment jkun residenti u preżenti tista’, direttament jew permezz ta’

awtoritajiet pubbliċi jew organi oħra -

(a)

tipprovdi rapport fuq is-sitwazzjoni tat-tifel;

(b) titlob lill-awtorità kompetenti tal-Istat tagħha biex tikkunsidra l-bżonn li

tieħu miżuri għall-protezzjoni tal-persuna jew proprjetà tat-tifel.

Artikolu 33

(1) Jekk awtorità li għandha ġurisdizzjoni taħt l-Artikoli 5 sa 10

tikkontempla t-tqegħid tat-tifel ġo familja foster jew kura istituzzjonjonali, jew l-

provdiment ta’ kura minn "kafala" jew istituzzjoni analoga, u jekk dan it-tqegħid

jew dan il-provdiment ta’ kura għandhom iseħħu fi Stat Kontraenti ieħor, din

għandha l-ewwel tikkonsulta mal-awtorità ċentrali jew awtorità kompetenti oħra

tal-Istat Kontraenti l-aħħar imsemmi. Għal dak il-għan għandha tittrasmetti rapport

fuq it-tifel flimkien mar-raġunijiet għat-tqegħid propost jew provdiment ta’ kura.

(2) Id-deċiżjoni dwar it-tqegħid fi jew provdiment ta’ kura tista’ tiġi

magħmula fl-Istat rikjest biss jekk l-awtorità ċentrali jew awtorità kompetenti oħra

tal-Istat rikjest tat il-kunsens għat-tqegħid jew provdiment ta’ kura, waqt li jitqiesu

l-aħjar interessi tat-tifel.

Artikolu 34

(1) Fejn miżura ta’ protezzjoni hi kkontemplata, l-awtoritajiet kompetenti

taħt il-Konvenzjoni, jekk is-sitwazzjoni tat-tifel hekk teħtieġ, jistgħu jitolbu

kwalunkwe awtorità ta’ Stat Kontraenti ieħor li għandha informazzjoni rilevanti

għall-protezzjoni tat-tifel li tikkomunika din l-informazzjoni.

(2) Stat Kontraenti jista’ jiddikjara li talbiet taħt il-paragrafu (1) għandhom

jiġu kkomunikati lill-awtoritajiet tiegħu biss permezz tal-awtorità ċentrali tiegħu.

Artikolu 35

(1) L-awtoritajiet kompetenti ta’ Stat Kontraenti jistgħu jitolbu lill-

awtoritajiet ta’ Stat Kontraenti ieħor biex jassistu fl-implimentazzjoni ta’ miżuri

ta’ protezzjoni meħudin taħt din il-Konvenzjoni, speċjalment fl-assigurazzjoni tal-

eżerċizzju effettiv ta’ drittijiet ta’ aċċess kif ukoll id-dritt li jżommu kuntatti diretti

fuq bażi regolari.

(2) L-awtoritajiet ta’ Stat Kontraenti li fih it-tifel ma jkunx abitwalment

residenti jistgħu, fuq it-talba ta’ ġenitur li jgħix f'dak l-Istat li qed ifittex li jikseb

jew li jżomm aċċess għat-tifel, jiġbru informazzjoni jew prova u jistgħu jirrelataw

dwar l-adegwatezza ta’ dak il-ġenitur sabiex jeżerċita aċċess u dwar il-

kondizzjonijiet li taħthom l-aċċess għandu jiġi eżerċitat. Awtorità li teżerċita

ġurisdizzjoni taħt l-Artikoli 5 sa 10 biex tistabbilixxi applikazzjoni dwar aċċess

għat-tifel, għandha taċċetta u tikkunsidra dik l-informazzjoni, prova u riżultati

qabel ma tasal għad-deċiżjoni tagħha.

(3) Awtorità li għandha ġurisdizzjoni taħt l-Artikoli 5 sa 10 li tiddeċiedi fuq

l-aċċess tista’ taġġorna proċedura sakemm ikun pendenti r-riżultat ta’ talba

magħmula taħt il-paragrafu (2), partikolarment, meta qed tikkunsidra

applikazzjoni biex tirrestrinġi jew ittemm drittijiet ta’ aċċess mogħtija fl-Istat tar-

residenza abitwali ta’ qabel tat-tifel.

(4) Xejn f’dan l-Artikolu ma għandu jipprevjeni awtorità li għandha

ġurisdizzjoni taħt l-Artikoli 5 sa 10 milli tieħu miżuri temporanji waqt li jkun

pendenti r-riżultat tat-talba magħmula taħt il-paragrafu (2).

Artikolu 36

Fi kwalunkwe każ fejn it-tifel hu espost għal periklu serju, l-awtoritajiet

kompetenti tal-Istat Kontraenti fejn miżuri għall-protezzjoni tat-tifel ittieħdu jew

qegħdin taħt konsiderazzjoni, jekk huma infurmati li r-residenza tat-tifel nbidlet

għal, jew li t-tifel hu preżenti fi Stat ieħor, għandhom jinfurmaw l-awtoritajiet ta’

dak l-Istat ieħor dwar il-periklu involut u l-miżuri meħudin jew taħt

konsiderazzjoni.

Artikolu 37

Awtorità m’għandhiex titlob jew tittrasmetti kwalunkwe informazzjoni taħt

dan il-Kapitolu jekk din, fl-opinjoni tagħha, x’aktarx tpoġġi l-persuna jew il-

proprjetà tat-tifel f’periklu, jew tikkostitwixxi theddida serja għal-libertà jew ħajja

ta’ membru tal-familja tat-tifel.

Artikolu 38

(1) Mingħajr preġudizzju għall-possibbiltà li jimponu ħlasijiet raġonevoli

għall-provdiment ta’ servizzi, awtoritajiet ċentrali u awtoritajiet pubbliċi oħra ta’

Stati Kontraenti għandhom iġorru l-ispejjeż tagħhom fl-applikazzjoni tad-

dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Kapitolu.

(2) Kwalunkwe Stat Kontraenti jista’ jidħol fi ftehim ma’ wieħed jew aktar

Stati Kontraenti oħra dwar l-allokazzjoni ta’ ħlasijiet.

Artikolu 39

Kwalunkwe Stat Kontraenti jista’ jidħol fi ftehim ma’ wieħed jew aktar Stati

Kontraenti oħra bil-għan li tittejjeb l-applikazzjoni ta’ dan il-Kapitolu fir-

relazzjonijiet reċiproċi tagħhom. L-Istati li kkonkludew ftehim bħal dan għandhom

jittrasmettu kopja lid-depożitarju tal-Konvenzjoni.

KAPITOLU VI - DISPOŻIZZJONIJIET ĠENERALI

Artikolu 40

(1) L-awtoritajiet tal-Istat Kontraenti tar-residenza abitwali tat-tifel, jew

tal-Istat Kontraenti fejn ittieħdet miżura ta’ protezzjoni, tista’ tagħti lill-persuna li

għandha r-responsabbiltà tal-ġenituri jew lill-persuna li għandha l-protezzjoni tal-

persuna jew tal-proprjetà tat-tifel, fuq it-talba tiegħu jew tagħha, ċertifikat li

jindika l-awtorità li biha l-persuna hi intitolata li taġixxi u l-poteri mogħtija lilu

jew lilha.

(2) Il-kapacitajiet u poteri indikati fiċ-ċertifikat huma meqjusin li

jappartienu lil dik il-persuna, fl-assenza ta’ prova kuntrarja.

(3) Kull Stat Kontraenti għandu jinnomina l-awtoritajiet kompetenti li

jagħmlu ċ-ċertifikat.

Artikolu 41

Id-data personali miġbura jew trasmessa taħt il-Konvenzjoni għandha tiġi

użata biss għall-għanijiet li għalihom kienu miġburin jew trasmessi.

Artikolu 42

L-awtoritajiet li lilhom informazzjoni hi trasmessa għandhom jassiguraw il-

konfidenzjalità tagħha, skond il-liġi tal-Istat tagħhom.

Artikolu 43

Id-dokumenti kollha mgħoddija jew ikkunsinnati taħt din il-Konvenzjoni

għandhom ikunu eżenti mil-legalizzazzjoni jew kwalunkwe formalità simili.

Artikolu 44

Kull Stat Kontraenti jista’ jinnomina l-awtoritajiet li lilhom talbiet taħt l-

Artikoli 8, 9 u 33 għandhom ikunu indirizzati.

Artikolu 45

(1) Id-deskrizzjonijiet imsemmijin fl-Artikoli 29 u 44 għandhom ikunu

komunikati lil Bureau Permanenti tal-Konferenza ta’ l-Aja dwar id-Dritt

Internazzjonali Privat.

(2) Id-dikjarazzjoni msemmija fl-Artikolu 34(2), għandha tiġi magħmula

lid-depożitarju tal-Konvenzjoni.

Artikolu 46

Stat Kontraenti li fih sistemi ta’ liġi jew settijiet ta’ regoli tal-liġi differenti

japplikaw għall-protezzjoni tat-tifel u l-proprjetà tiegħu jew tagħha m’għandhomx

ikunu marbutin li japplikaw ir-regoli ta’ din il-Konvenzjoni lill-kunflitti unikament

bejn dawn is-sistemi ta’ liġi jew settijiet ta’ regoli tal-liġi differenti.

Artikolu 47

Fir-rigward ta’ Stat li fih tnejn jew aktar sistemi ta’ liġi jew settijiet ta’ regoli

tal-liġi fir-rigward ta’ kwalunkwe ħaġa li tittratta din il-Konvenzjoni japplikaw

f’unitajiet territorjali differenti -

(1) kwalunkwe riferenza għar-residenza abitwali f’dak l-Istat

għandha tittieħed bħala r-residenza abitwali f’unità territorjali;

(2) kwalunkwe riferenza għall-presenza tat-tifel f’dak l-Istat għandha

tittieħed bħala riferenza għall-preżenza f’unità territorjali;

(3) kwalunkwe riferenza għal-lokalità ta’ proprjetà tat-tifel f’dak l-

Istat għandha tiġi meħuda bħala riferenza għal-lokalità ta’ proprjetà tat-tifel

f’unità territorjali;

(4)

kwalunkwe riferenza għall-Istat li tiegħu t-tifel huwa ċittadin

għandha tittieħed bħala riferenza għall-unità territorjali nominata mil-liġi ta’

dak l-Istat jew, fl-assenza ta’ regoli rilevanti, għall-unità territorjali li magħha

t-tifel għandu l-konnessjoni l-aktar viċina;

(5) kwalunkwe riferenza għall-Istat li l-awtoritajiet tiegħu għandhom

applikazzjoni għad-divorzju jew separazzjoni legali tal-ġenituri tat-tifel, jew

għall-annullament taż-żwieġ tagħhom, għandha tittieħed bħala riferenza

għall-unità territorjali li l-awtoritajiet tagħha għandhom din l-applikazzjoni;

(6) kwalunkwe riferenza għall-Istat li miegħu t-tifel għandu

konnessjoni sostanzjali għandha tiġi meħuda bħala riferenza għall-unità

territorjali li miegħu t-tifel għandu din il-konnessjoni;

(7) kwalunkwe riferenza għall-Istat minn fejn tneħħa it-tifel jew fejn

qed qiegħda jinżamm/tinżamm għandha tittieħed bħala riferenza għall-unità

territorjali li minnha t-tifel ġie mneħħi jew li fiha hu jew hi ġew miżmuma;

(8) kwalunkwe riferenza għall-awtoritajiet jew korpijiet ta’ dak l-

Istat, barra l-awtoritajiet ċentrali, għandha tiġi meħuda bħala riferenza għal

dawk awtorizzati li jaġixxu fl-unità territorjali rilevanti;

(9) kwalunkwe riferenza għal-liġi jew proċedura jew awtorità tal-

Istat li fih il-miżura ttieħdet għandha tiġi meħuda bħala riferenza għal-liġi

jew proċedura jew awtorità tal-unità territorjali li fiha din il-miżura ttieħdet;

(10) kwalunkwe riferenza għal-liġi jew proċedura jew awtorità tal-

Istat rikjest għandha tiġi meħuda bħala riferenza għal-liġi jew il-proċedura

jew l-awtorità tal-unità territorjali li fiha hu mfittex ir-rikonoxximent jew l-

infurzar.

Artikolu 48

Għall-iskop tal-identifikazzjoni tal-liġi applikabbli taħt il-Kapitolu III, fir-

rigward ta’ Stat li jikkomprendi tnejn jew aktar unitajiet territorjali li kull waħda

minnhom għandha s-sistema ta’ liġi proprja jew settijiet ta’ regoli tal-liġi

rigwardanti kwistjonijiet koperti minn din il-Konvenzjoni, ir-regoli li ġejjin

japplikaw -

(a)

jekk hemm regoli fis-seħħ f’dan l-Istat li jiddentifikaw liema liġi

ta’ unità territorjali hija applikabbli, il-liġi ta’ dik l-unità tapplika;

(b) fl-assenza ta’ dawn ir-regoli, il-liġi tal-unità territorjali rilevanti

kif definita fl-Artikolu 47 tapplika.

Artikolu 49

Għall-iskop tal-identifikazzjoni tal-liġi applikabbli taħt il-Kapitolu III, fir-

rigward ta’ Stat li għandu tnejn jew aktar sistemi ta’ liġi jew settijiet ta’ regoli tal-

liġi applikabbi għal kategoriji differenti ta’ persuni rigward kwistjonijiet koperti

minn din il-Konvenzjoni, ir-regoli li ġejjin japplikaw

(a)

jekk hemm regoli fis-seħħ f’dan l-Istat li jiddentikikaw liema fost

dawn il-liġijiet tapplika, dik il-liġi tapplika;

(b) fl-assenza ta’ dawn ir-regoli, il-liġi tas-sistema jew tas-settijiet ta’

regoli tal-liġi li magħha t-tifel għandu l-konessjoni l-aktar viċina tapplika.

Artikolu 50

Din il-Konvenzjoni m’għandhiex taffetwa l-Konvenzjoni tal-25 ta’ Ottubru

1980 fuq l-Aspetti Ċivili tal-Ħtif Internazzjonali tat-Tfal, kif bejn Partijiet għaż-

żewġ Konvenzjonijiet. Xejn, madankollu, ma jipprekludi dispożizzjonijiet ta’ din

il-Konvenzjoni milli jiġu invokati għall-iskopijiet tal-kisba tar-ritorn ta’ tifel li

kien tneħħa jew inżamm inġustament jew ta’ organizazzjoni ta’ drittijiet ta’ aċċess.

Artikolu 51

F’relazzjonijiet bejn l-Istati Kontraenti, din il-Konvenzjoni tieħu l-post tal-

Konvenzjoni tal-5 ta’ Ottubru 1961 dwar il-poteri ta’ awtoritajiet u l-liġi

applikabbli fir-rigward tal-protezzjoni ta’ minuri, u l-Konvenzjoni li tirregola t-

tutela ta’ minuri, iffirmata fl-Aja fit-12 ta’ Ġunju 1902, mingħajr preġudizzju għar-

rikonoxximnet ta’ miżuri meħudin taħt il-Konvenzjoni tal-5 ta’ Ottubru 1961

imsemmija hawn fuq.

Artikolu 52

(1) Din il-Konvenzjoni ma taffettwa l-ebda strument internazzjonali li fih

Stati Kontraenti huma Partijiet u li jkunu jinsabu fih dispożizzjonijiet fuq materiji

regolati mill-Konvenzjoni, sakemm ma ssirx dikjarazzjoni kuntrarja mill-Istati, li

jkunu Partijiet għal dan l-istrument.

(2) Din il-Konvenzjoni ma taffetwax il-possibbiltà għal wieħed jew aktar

mill-Istati Kontraenti li jikkonkludu ftehim, fir-rigward ta’ tfal li abitwalment

jkunu residenti fi kwalunkwe wieħed mill-Istati, li jkunu Partijiet għal dawn il-

ftehim, dispożizzjonijiet fuq materji regolati minn din il-Konvenzjoni.

(3) Ftehim li għandhom jiġu konklużi minn wieħed jew aktar mill-Istati

Kontraenti fuq materji fl-iskop ta’ din il-Konvenzjoni ma jaffetwawx, fir-

relazzjoni ta’ dawn l-Istati ma’ Stati Kontraenti oħra, l-applikazzjoni tad-

dispożizzjonijiet ta’ din il-Konvenzjoni.

(4) Il-paragrafi ta’ qabel dan japplikaw ukoll għal-liġijiet uniformi bbażati

fuq rbit speċjali ta’ natura reġjonali jew oħra bejn l-Istati inkwistjoni.

Artikolu 53

(1) Il-Konvenzjoni għandha tgħodd għall-miżuri biss jekk huma meħudin fi

Stat wara li l-Konvenzjoni tkun ġiet fis-seħħ għal dak l-Istat.

(2) Il-Konvenzjoni għandha tgħodd għar-rikonoxximent u l-infurzar ta’

miżuri meħudin wara d-dħul fis-seħħ bejn l-Istat fejn il-miżuri ġew meħudin u l-

Istat rikjest.

Artikolu 54

(1) Kwalunkwe komunikazzjoni mibgħuta lill-awtorità ċentrali jew lil

awtorità oħra ta’ Stat Kontraenti għandha tkun fil-lingwa oriġinali, u għandu jkun

hemm magħha traduzzjoni għal-lingwa uffiċjali jew waħda mil-lingwi uffiċjali tal-

Istat l-ieħor jew, fejn dan mhux possibbli, traduzzjoni għall-Franċiż jew l-Ingliż.

(2) Madankollu, Stat Kontraenti jista’, billi jagħmel riżerva skond l-

Artikolu 60, jagħmel oġġezzjoni għall-użu jew tal-Franċiż jew l-Ingliż, imma

mhux għat-tnejn.

Artikolu 55

(1) Stat Kontraenti jista’, skond l-Artikolu 60 -

(a)

jirriżerva l-ġurisdizzjoni tal-awtoritajiet tiegħu li jieħdu miżuri

diretti lejn il-protezzjoni ta’ proprjetà ta’ tifel li jinsab fuq it-territorju tiegħu;

(b) jirriserva d-dritt li ma jirrikonoxxix kwalunkwe responsabbiltà

tal-ġenituri jew miżura sal-punt li mhuwiex kompatibbli ma’ kwalunkwe

miżura meħuda mill-awtoritajiet tiegħu fir-rigward ta’ dik il-proprjetà.

(2) Ir-riserva tista’ tiġi ristretta għal ċerti kategoriji ta’ proprjetà.

Artikolu 56

Is-Segretarju Ġenerali tal-Konferenza ta’ l-Aja dwar id-Dritt Internazzjonali

Privat għandu f’intervalli regolari jsejjaħ Kummissjoni Speċjali sabiex tirrevedi l-

operazzjoni prattika tal-Konvenzjoni.

KAPITOLU VII - KLAWŻOLI FINALI

Artikolu 57

(1) Il-Konvenzjoni għandha tinfetaħ għall-iffirmar mill-Istati li kienu

Membri tal-Konferenza ta’ l-Aja dwar id-Dritt Internazzjonali Privat fi żmien it-

Tmintax-il Sessjoni tagħha.

(2) Għandha tkun ratifikata, aċċettata jew approvata u l-istrumenti tar-

ratifika, l-aċċettazzjoni jew l-approvazzjoni għandhom jiġu depożitati mal-

Ministeru tal-Affarijiet Barranin tar-Renju tal-Olanda, depożitarju tal-

Konvenzjoni.

Artikolu 58

(1) Kwalunkwe Stat ieħor jista’ jaderixxi għall-Konvenzjoni wara li tkun

daħlet fis-seħħ skond l-Artikolu 61, il-paragrafu (1).

(2) L-istrument ta’ adeżjoni għandu jiġi ddepożitat mad-depożitarju.

(3) Din l-adeżjoni għandha jkollha effett biss għar-rigward ir-relazzjonijiet

bejn l-Istat li għamel l-adeżjoni u dawk l-Istati Kontraenti li ma għamlux

oġġezzjoni għall-adeżjoni tiegħu fis-sitt xhur wara l-irċevuta tan-notifika

msemmija fl-Artikolu 63(b). Oġġezzjoni bħal din tista’ ukoll tiġi mqajma minn

Stati fil-ħin li jirratifikaw, jaċċettaw jew japprovaw il-Konvenzjoni wara l-

adeżjoni. Kwalunkwe oġġezzjoni bħal din għandha tiġi nnotifikata lid-depożitarju.

Artikolu 59

(1) Jekk Stat għandu tnejn jew aktar unitajiet territorjali li fihom huma

applikabbli sistemi ta’ liġi differenti fir-rigward ta’ kwistjonijiet ittrattati f’din il-

Konvenzjoni, hu jista’ fil-ħin tal-iffirmar, ratifika, aċċettazzjoni, approvazzjoni

jew adeżjoni jiddikjara li l-Konvenzjoni għandha testendi għall-unitajiet

territorjaili kollha tiegħu jew biss għal waħda jew aktar minnhom u jista’

jimmodifika din id-dikjarazzjoni billi jagħti dikjarazzjoni oħra fi kwalunkwe ħin.

(2) Kwalunkwe dikjarazzjoni bħal din għandha tiġi notifikata lid-

depożitarju u għandha tgħid espressament l-unitajiet territorjali li għalihom

tapplika l-Konvenzjoni.

(3) Jekk Stat ma jagħmilx dikjarazzjoni taħt dan l-Artikolu, il-Konvenzjoni

għandha tiġi estiża lill-unitajiet territorjali kollha ta’ dak l-Istat.

Artikolu 60

(1) Kwlaunkwe Stat jista’, mhux aktar tard mill-ħin tar-ratifika,

aċċettazzjoni, approvazzjoni jew adeżjoni, jew fil-ħin li jagħmel dikjarazzjoni

skond it-termini tal-Artikolu 59, jagħmel waħda jew iż-żewġ riżervi previsti fl-

Artikolu 54(2), u fl-Artikolu 55. L-ebda riżerva oħra ma għandha tiġi permessa.

(2) Kwalunkwe Stat jista’ fi kwalunkwe ħin jirtira riserva li huwa għamel.

Dan l-irtirar għandu jiġi notifikat lid-depożitarju.

(3) Ir-riżerva għandha tieqaf milli jkollha effett fl-ewwel ġurnata tat-tielet

xahar tal-kalendarju wara n-notifika msemmija fil-paragrafu ta’ qabel dan.

Artikolu 61

(1) Il-Konvenzjoni għandha tidħol fis-seħħ fl-ewwel ġurnata tax-xahar

wara t-tmiem tat-tliet xhur ta’ wara d-depożitu tat-tielet strument ta’ ratifika,

aċċettazzjoni jew approvazzjoni msemmi fl-Artikolu 57.

(2) Wara dan il-Konvenzjoni għandha tidħol fis-seħħ -

(a)

għal kull Stat li jirratifikaha, jaċċettaha jew japprovaha

sussegwentement, fl-ewwel ġurnata tax-xahar wara t-tmiem tat-tliet xhur ta’

wara d-depożitu tal-istrument tiegħu tar-ratifika, aċċettazzjoni,

approvazzjoni jew adeżjoni;

(b) għal kull Stat li jagħmel adeżjoni, fl-ewwel ġurnata tax-xahar

wara t-tmiem ta’ tliet xhur wara t-tmiem tal-perjodu ta’ sitt xhur previst fl-

Artikolu 58(3);

(ċ)

għal unità territorjali li għaliha l-Konvenzjoni ġiet estiża skond l-

Artikolu 59, fl-ewwel ġurnata tax-xahar wara t-tmiem ta’ tliet xhur wara n-

notifika msemmija f’dak l-Artikolu.

Artikolu 62

(1) Stat li jkun Parti għall-Konvenzjoni jista’ jiddenunzjaha permezz ta’

notifika miktuba indirizzata lid-depożitarju. Id-denunzja tista’ tkun limitata għal

ċerti unitajiet territorjali li għalihom tapplika l-Konvenzjoni.

(2) Id-denunzja tieħu effett fl-ewwel ġurnata tax-xahar wara t-tmiem ta’

tnax-il xahar wara li n-notifika tkun riċevuta mid-depożitarju. Fejn perjodu aktar

twil biex id-denunzja tieħu effett hi speċifikata fin-notifika, id-denunzja tieħu

effett mat-tmiem ta’ dan il-perjodu aktar twil.

Artikolu 63

Id-depożitarju għandu jinnotifika lill-Istati Membri tal-Konferenza ta’ l-Aja

dwar id-Dritt Internazzjonali Privat u l-Istati li għamlu adeżjoni skond l-Artikolu

58 dwar dan li ġej -

(a)

il-firem, ir-ratifiki, l-aċċettazzjonijiet u l-approvazzjonijiet

imsemmijin fl-Artikolu 57;

(b) l-adeżjonijiet u

l-oġġezzjonijiet

magħmula

għall-adeżjoni

msemmijin fl-Artikolu 58;

(ċ)

id-data meta l-Konvenzjoni tidħol fis-seħħ skond l-Artikolu 61;

(d)

id-dikjarazzjonijiet imsemmijin fl-Artikolu 34(2), u fl-Artikolu

59;

(e)

il-ftehim msemmijin fl-Artikolu 39;

(f)

ir-riżervi msemmijin fl-Artikolu 54(2), u fl-Artikolu 55 u l-irtirar

imsemmi fl-Artikolu 60(2);

(g)

id-denunzji msemmijin fl-Artikolu 62.

B’xiehda ta’ dan l’hawn taħt iffirmati, debitament awtorizzati għal dan,

iffirmaw din il-Konvenzjoni.

MAGĦMULA fl-Aja, illum id-19 ta’ Ottubru 1996, fil-lingwi Franċiża u

Ingliża, it-testi ugwalment awtentiċi, f’kopja singola li għandhom ikunu

ddepożitati fl-arkivji tal-Gvern tar-Renju tal-Olanda, u li kopja ċċertifikata

għandha tintbagħat, permezz ta’ kanali diplomatiċi, lil kull wieħed mill-Istati

Memberi tal-Konferenza ta’ l-Aja dwar id-Dritt Internazzjonali Privat fid-data tat-

Tmintax-il Sessjoni tagħha.

Mg]oddi mill-Kamra tad-Deputati fis-Seduta Nru. 294 tas-7 ta’ Di`embru,

2010. M ICHAEL F RENDO

Speaker

P AULINE A BELA

Skrivan tal-Kamra tad-Deputati