施华  中国社会科学院法学研究所  

　　【译者说明】本公约是译者在学习研究过程中翻译的，至今，译者还没有发现官方的正式中文翻译文本，实为可惜，故将其翻译出来，仅供参考学习。难免有翻译不周之处，一切都以英语文本和法语文本为准。译者根据英语文本翻译。

　　本公约缔约国希望通过加强司法合作促进国际贸易和投资，

　　相信通过外国民商事管辖权和判决的承认与执行的统一规则该合作能够得到加强，

　　相信如此合作的加强特别需要国际法律体系来提供确定性和保证当事人对商事交易排他性选择法院协议的有效性以及指导基于该协议的诉讼判决的承认与执行，

　　决议为此目的缔结一项公约，并议定条款如下

　　第一章：范围与定义

　　第1条 范围

　　1．本公约应当适用于在民商事领域订立排他性选择法院协议的国际案件。

　　2．为本公约第二章的目的，案件是国际性的，除非当事人都居住在同一缔约国，以及当事人之间的关系和与争议有关的所有其他因素，不管被选择法院处于何地，都只与该国有联系。

　　3．为本公约第三章的目的，案件是国际性的，该外国判决方可寻求被承认或执行。

　　第2条 适用除外

　　1．本公约不应适用的排他性选择法院协议：

　　a) 一方当事人是主要为了私人、家人或家庭目的（消费者）而行为的自然人；

　　b) 关于雇佣合同，包括集体协议。

　　2．本公约不适用下列事项：

　　a) 自然人的身份与法律能力；

　　b) 扶养义务；

　　c) 其他家庭法事项，包括由婚姻或类似关系产生的夫妻财产制度和其他权利或义务；

　　d) 遗嘱和继承；

　　e) 破产、和解和类似事项；

　　f) 旅客和货物的运费；

　　g) 海事污染，海事请求权的责任限制，共同海损，以及紧急拖航和海上救助；

　　h) 反垄断（竞争）事项

　　i) 核能损害责任

　　j) 由自然人或代表自然人引起的人身损害赔偿

　　k) 非由合同关系产生的关于动产损失的侵权诉讼

　　l) 不动产物权及租赁

　　m) 法人的有效、无效或解散，及其机关决定的有效性；

　　n) 版权和邻接权之外的知识产权的有效性；

　　o）侵犯除版权和邻接权之外的知识产权，除了因违反当事人间关于该权利的合同而使得或已使得违反诉讼程序；

　　p) 公共登记的有效性。

　　3．即使有第2款的规定，依据该条款被排除的事项仅仅作为先决问题且不是诉讼标的时，诉讼不得被排除在本公约的适用范围之外。尤其，如果一事项不是诉讼标的，仅仅依据第2款被排除的该事项作为答辩理由的事实，不得排除本公约对诉讼的适用。

　　4. 本公约不应适用于仲裁和相关程序。

　　5．一方当事人是国家，包括政府、政府机构或代表国家的任何人，依据该单纯事实诉讼并不排除在公约的范围之外。

　　6．本公约的任何规定不影响国家或国际组织本身及其财产的特权和豁免。

　　第3条 排他性选择法院协议

　　为本公约的目的：

　　a) "排他性选择法院协议"，是指由双方或多方当事人订立的协议符合c)款，以解决与某一特定法律关系有关的业已产生或可能产生的争议为目的，而指定一个缔约国法院或一个缔约国的一个或多个法院，以排除其他任何法院的管辖权。

　　b) 指定的一个缔约国法院,或一个缔约国的一个或多个特定法院的选择法院协议应认为具有排他性，除非当事人明确地作出相反表示。

　　c) 排他性选择法院协议必须是可断定的或有文件认证的：

　　i) 书面的；或

　　ii) 通过其他任何通讯方式可以表现可理解的信息以便用于其后参考；

　　d) 排他性选择法院协议构成合同的一部分应被认为是独立于合同其他条款的一个协议。不能仅基于合同是无效的，而否定排他性选择法院协议的有效性。

　　第4条 其他定义

　　1．在本公约中，"判决"系指法院就争议事实所做的任何决定，而不管其称谓是什么，包括裁决、命令以及法院（包括法院官员）对费用或开支的决定，只要该决定与依法做出的可能依据本公约被承认与执行的判决有关。临时保护措施不是判决。

　　2．为本公约的目的，实体和自然人之外的人应被视为缔约国的居民

　　a) 在该国有法定场所；

　　b) 根据其法律成立；

　　c) 在该国设有管理中心；或

　　d) 在该国设有主要营业场所。

　　第二章 管辖权

　　第5条 被选择法院的管辖权

　　1．根据排他性选择法院协议指定的缔约国一个或多个法院应该有管辖权以裁决协议适用的争议，除非该协议依据被选择法院国家的法律是无效的。

　　2．依据第1款有管辖权的法院不得以争议应由另一国法院判决为由于，拒绝行使管辖权。

　　3．前款不得影响下列规则：

　　a) 有关标的或索赔金额的管辖权；

　　b) 关于缔约国国内法院间的管辖权划分。但，被选择法院在判断是否移送案件时，应合理考虑当事人的选择。

　　第6条 未被选择法院的义务

　　被选择法院之外的缔约国法院应中止或驳回排他性选择法院协议所适用的诉讼，除非

　　a) 根据被选择法院国家的法律，该协议是无效的；

　　b) 当事人根据受理法院的国家法律不具有缔约能力；

　　c) 赋予协议效力会导致明显不公正或会将明显违背受理法院国家的公共政策；

　　d) 因当事人控制之外的特殊原因，协议不能合理地执行；或

　　e) 被选择法院业已决定不审理该案件。

　　第7条 临时保护措施

　　本公约不适用临时保护措施。本公约既不要求，也不排除缔约国法院给予、拒绝或终止临时保护措施，并且，也不影响一方当事人是否可以请求，还是法院是否给予、拒绝或终止该措施。

　　第三章 承认与执行

　　第8条 承认与执行

　　1．根据本章，缔约国必须承认与执行由排他性选择法院协议指定的缔约国法院所作出的判决。本公约有特别规定的，方可拒绝承认或执行。

　　2．为避免影响根据本章规定适用所必需的审查，不得就原审法院作出的判决进行合理性审查。被请求国法院应受作为原审法院管辖权之基础的事实认定的约束，除非判决系缺席作出。

　　3．判决仅有在原审国业已生效，而且在原审国可被强制执行，才得被承认。

　　4．如果该判决在原审国是审查的对象，或寻求普通审查的期限尚未届满，则可以延迟或拒绝对其承认或执行。该拒绝不影响其后提出的对判决的承认或执行之申请。

　　5．本条也应适用于缔约国法院作出的判决符合第5条第3款所允许的另一缔约国的被选择法院移送案件。但是，被选择法院可裁量决定是否移送案件给另一法院，依据一方当事人及时在原审国提出反对移送，可以拒绝判决的承认或执行。

　　第9条 对承认或执行判决的拒绝

　　下列情形时，可以拒绝承认或执行：

　　a) 根据被选择法院国家的法律，该协议是无效的，除非该被选择法院已经认定该协议是有效的。

　　b) 根据被请求国的法律，一方当事人缺乏缔结协议的能力；

　　c) 提起诉讼的文书或同等文书，包括诉讼请求的基本要素，

　　i) 未给被告充分的时间并以一定方式通知被告以便安排答辩，除非被告参加应诉且对原审法院的通知无异议而出庭答辩，如果原国家的法律允许就通知提出异议；或

　　ii) 在被请求国通知被告的方式违反被请求国有关文书送达的基本原则；

　　d) 判决系通过与程序事项有关的欺诈而获得；

　　e) 承认或执行将明显违背被请求国的公共政策，包括具体诉讼程序导致判决与该国基本的程序公正原则不符的情况；

　　f) 该判决与被请求国就相同当事人间的争议所做出的判决不一致；或

　　g) 该判决与另一国先前就相同当事人相同诉因所作出的判决不一致，如果该在先判决满足在被请求国获得承认的必要条件。

　　第10条 先决问题

　　1．第2条第2款或第21条所排除的事项成为先决问题时，对于这些先决问题的裁决不应依据本公约获得承认或执行。

　　2．可以拒绝判决的承认或执行，但仅限于基于依据第2条第2款排除的事项作出的判决。

　　3．但是，对于版权或邻接权以外的知识产权的有效性裁决，根据前款只有在以下情形，可以拒绝或延迟承认或执行

　　a) 根据该知识产权所据以产生的法律，裁决与该国主管当局所作出的特定事项的判决或决定不一致；或

　　b) 在该国关于知识产权有效性的诉讼尚在审理之中。

　　4．可以拒绝判决的承认或执行，但仅限于该判决基于被排除事项符合被请求国依据第21条所作出的声明。

　　第11条 损害赔偿

　　1．当判决裁定损害赔偿，包括惩戒性或惩罚性损害赔偿，不足以补偿一方当事人的实际遭受的损失或损害，可以拒绝判决的承认或执行，

　　2．被请求法院应考虑是否及多大程度由原审法院支付相关的诉讼费用和开支的损害赔偿裁决。

　　第12条 司法和解（司法交易）

　　排他性选择法院协议指定的缔约国已经核准，或已经在法院进入诉讼之前订立的司法和解（司法交易），与作为原审国判决具有相同方式的可执行性，依据本公约应该以相同方式的判决予以执行。

　　第13条 应提供的文件

　　1．当事人寻求承认或申请执行应提供

　　a) 完整并经认证的判决书副本；

　　b) 排他性选择法院协议，其经认证的副本，或其他认证协议存在的证据；

　　c) 如果判决系缺席作出，证实提起诉讼的文书或同等文书已通知缺席一方的文件是原件或经认证的副本；

　　d) 证实判决在原审国家是有效的或是可执行的任何必要文件；

　　d) 涉及第12条的案件，原审国法院对司法和解或其部分和解作为原审法院的判决通过相同的方式是可执行的认证书。

　　2．如果判决的条款不允许被请求法院核实是否已经遵守了本章的规定，则该法院可以要求提供任何必要的文书。

　　3．申请承认或执行可以附上由原审国法院（包括法院官员）签发的文书，符合海牙国际私法会议推荐和公布的形式。

　　4．如果涉及本条的文书不是被请求国的官方语言，则应附上经认证的官方语言的译文，除非被请求国的法律有相反规定。

　　第14条 程序

　　承认判决，宣告判决的可执行性或判决执行登记，以及判决的执行，除本公约另有规定外，其程序适用被请求国的法律。被请求国法院应立即执行。

　　第15条 可分性

　　可以批准判决可分部分的承认或执行，当仅就该该部分的承认或执行提出申请，或依据本公约只有判决的部分是可以被承认或执行的。

　　第四章 一般条款

　　第16条 过渡性规定

　　1．本公约应适用于其在被选择法院所属国生效后所订立的排他性选择法院协议。

　　2．本公约不应适用于其对受理法院所属国生效之前提起的诉讼。

　　第17条 保险合同和再保险合同

　　1．基于保险或再保险合同提起的诉讼不因保险或再保险合同涉及的事项不适用本公约，而被排除出公约的适用范围。

　　2．依据保险或再保险合同的条款，不因根据合同包括赔偿被保险人或再保险分出人的下列责任，而限制或拒绝关于责任判决的承认和执行

　　a) 本公约不适用的事项；或

　　b) 第11条可能适用的损害赔偿裁定。

　　第18条 无需认证

　　依据本公约，所有发送或送交的文书应免于认证或任何类似的手续，包括加注。

　　第19条 限制管辖权的声明

　　缔约国可以声明其法院可以拒绝解决排他性选择法院协议适用的争议，除了被选择法院的地点外，如果在缔约国与当事人或该争议间没有联系。

　　第20条 限制承认和执行的声明

　　缔约国可以声明其法院可以拒绝由另一缔约国法院作出的判决的承认或执行，如果当事人居住在被请求国，而且除了被选择法院的地点外，当事人之间的关系和所有其他与争议有关的因素都只与被请求国有关。

　　第21条 关于具体事项的声明

　　1．如果一国有重大利益而不适用本公约的特殊事项，该缔约国可以声明对该事项将不适用本公约。缔约国作出该声明应保证其不超过必要范围并且排除特殊事项是清楚精确的定义。

　　2．关于该事项，本公约不应适用于：

　　a) 在作出声明的缔约国；

　　b) 排他性选择法院协议指定的法院，或一个或多个具体法院的所属国作出声明的其他缔约国。

　　第22条 关于非排他性选择法院协议的互惠声明

　　1．缔约国可以声明其法院将承认和执行双方或多方当事人符合第3条第c款的要求订立的选择法院协议中指定的其他缔约国法院作出的判决，以及因裁决与特殊法律关系有关的争议已经产生或可能产生的争议，而指定一个或多个缔约国的一个法院或多个法院（非排他性选择法院协议）作出的判决。

　　2．依据本公约，已作出该声明的缔约国作出判决的承认或执行寻求另一作出类似声明的缔约国承认或执行，则该判决应该被承认和执行，如果

　　a) 非排他性选择法院协议中指定的是原审法院；

　　b) 在诉讼程序符合非排他性选择法院协议之前，既不存在任何其他法院作出的判决，也不存在相同当事人间因相同的诉因在任何其他法院的诉讼未决；并且

　　c) 原审法院是最初受理的法院。

　　第23条 统一解释

　　在解释本公约时，需要注意其性质是国际性的以及必需促进其适用的统一性。

　　第24条 公约实施情况的审查

　　海牙国际私法会议的秘书长应定期安排

　　a) 本公约实施情况的审查，包括任何声明；并且

　　b) 考虑是否本公约需要的任何改进之处。

　　第25条 非统一法律制度

　　1．有关缔约国拥有两个或多个法律制度在不同的领土单位适用的有关任何事项由本公约处理。

　　a) 所指该国法律或程序，凡适宜的都应解释为在有关领土单位内有效的法律或程序。

　　b) 所指该国居所，凡适宜的都应解释为在有关领土单位内的居所。

　　c) 所指该国的法院，凡适宜的都应解释为在有关领土单位内的法院。

　　d) 所指与该国有联系，凡适宜的都应解释为与有关领土单位的联系。

　　2．即使有上款的规定，有两个或多个领土单位且各自有不同法律制度的缔约国不应受只包含不同领土单位的情形适用本公约的约束。

　　3．有两个或多个领土单位且各自有不同法律制度的缔约国，一领土单位法院，不能仅因依据本公约判决在同一缔约国的另一领土单位已被承认或执行，而受另一缔约国的判决承认或执行的约束。

　　4．本条不应适用于区域经济一体化组织。

　　第26条 与其他国际公约的关系

　　1．本公约应尽量解释为与对缔约国生效的其他条约相一致，不管是签订本公约之前或之后缔结。

　　2．本公约不应影响缔约国对条约的适用，不管是签订本公约之前或之后缔结，在案件中无当事人是条约非缔约方的缔约国居民。

　　3．本公约不应影响缔约国在本公约对其生效前签订的条约的适用，如果适用本公约将违背缔约国对其他非缔约国的义务。本款也应适用本公约对其生效之前签订的修订或替代的条约，除非修订或替代将会产生新的与本公约不一致。

　　4．本公约不应影响缔约国对条约的适用，不管其是在本公约签订之前或之后缔结，为获得同样是该条约缔约方的缔约国法院作出判决的承认或执行。但是，判决承认或执行的范围不得小于本公约的规定。

　　5．本公约不应影响缔约国对有关特殊事项条约的适用，该条约适用管辖权或判决的承认或执行，即使在本公约签订之后以及所有有关国家都是本公约缔约方的情况。本款应适用仅当缔约国依据本款已作出有关条约声明的情形。在该声明下，凡排他性选择法院协议指定的已作出该声明的缔约国的法院，或一个或多个法院，在对与公约有任何程度矛盾的特定事项，其他缔约国不应强制适用本公约。

　　6．本公约不应影响作为本公约缔约方的区域经济一体化组织规则的适用，不管其在本公约之前或之后通过。

　　a) 无当事人居住在缔约国，该缔约国不是区域经济一体化组织的成员国；

　　b) 区域经济一体化组织的成员国间涉及判决的承认或执行

　　第五章 最后条款

　　第27条 签署，批准，接受，核准或加入

　　1．本公约的签署对所有国家开放。

　　2．本公约限于由签署国批准，接受或核准。

　　3．本公约的加盟对所有国家开放。

　　4．批准、接受、核准或加盟的文书应缴存于荷兰外交部，其是公约的保管处。

　　第28条 关于非统一法律制度的声明

　　1. 如果一国具有两个或多个不同法律体系的领土单位适用本公约处理的有关事项，可以在签署、批准、接受、核准或加盟时，声明本公约的适用应扩展到其所有领土单位或仅适用其中的一个或数个，并可随时提交另一声明而修改该声明。

　　2．声明应通知公约的保管处，并应明确表达本公约适用的领土单位。

　　3．如果依据本条缔约国没有作出声明，本公约应扩展适用该国的所有领土单位。

　　4．本条不应适用于区域经济一体化组织。

　　第29条 区域经济一体化组织

　　1．区域经济一体化组织仅由主权国家组成，并且其对公约适用的一些或所有的事项有管辖权，同样可以签署、接受、核准或加入本公约。在该情况下，区域经济一体化组织应具有缔约国的权利和义务，就该组织来说对根据本公约适用的事项有管辖权。

　　2．区域经济一体化组织应在签署、接受、核准或加入时，本公约适用的有关由其成员国让渡给该组织的管辖权事项以书面形式通知公约管理处。该组织应依据本款最近作出的通知中详细地将其管辖权的任何变化及时以书面形式通知公约管理处。

　　3．为使本公约生效，由区域经济一体化组织交存的任何文书不应包含在内，除非区域经济一体化组织声明根据第30条其成员国将不是本公约的缔约方。

　　4．任何本公约中所指的"缔约国"或"国家"，如无不适，都应同等适用于是缔约方的区域经济一体化组织。

　　第30条 区域经济一体化组织的加盟但排除其成员国

　　1．当签署、接受、核准或加入时，区域经济一体化组织可以声明其对本公约适用的所有事项行使管辖权，并且其成员国将不成为本公约的缔约方，但应受该组织因签署、接受、核准或加入的约束。

　　2．在区域经济一体化组织根据第一款规定作出声明时，本公约中"缔约国"或"国家"的任何含义，如无不适，都应同等适用于该组织的成员国。

　　第31条 生效

　　1．本公约应在交存有关在第27条中的批准，接受，核准或加入的随后的文书之后，三个月期满后下个月第一天起生效。

　　2．下列情形之后，本公约即发生效力

　　a) 各国家或区域经济一体化组织相继批准，接受，核准或加入本公约，在交存其批准，接受，核准或加入文书后，在三个月期限届满次月的首日；

　　b) 符合第28条第一款，本公约已扩展适用的领土单位，在该条相关声明的通知之后，在三个月期限届满次月的首日。

　　第32条 声明

　　1．可以作出或其后的任何时间作出涉及第19，20，21，22和26条关于签署、批准、接受、核准或加入的声明，并且可以在任何时间修改或撤销。

　　2．声明、修改和撤销应通知公约管理处。

　　3．当作出签署、批准、接受、核准或加入的声明时，该声明对本公约相关国家同时生效。

　　4．后来作出的声明，以及对声明的任何修改或撤销，应在公约管理处收到通知的日期后，三个月期限届满次月的首日生效。

　　5．依据第19、20、21和26条，声明不应适用于其生效前订立的排他性选择法院协议。

　　第33条 废止

　　1．通过以书面的形式通知公约管理处本公约可以废止。废止得限于本公约适用的非统一法律制度的某些领土单位。

　　2．公约管理处收到其通知后，在十二个月期限届满次月的首日废止应生效。废止生效前有较长时期是通知中指定的，公约管理处收到通知后，一旦该较长时期期满废止即生效。

　　第34条 公约管理处的通知

　　公约管理处应通知海牙国际私法会议的成员国，以及根据以下的第27、29和30条已经签署，批准，接受，核准或加入的其他国家和区域经济一体化组织

　　a) 第27、29和30条所指的签署书、批准书、接受书和加入书；

　　b) 根据第31条，本公约生效的日期；

　　c) 第19、20、21、22、26、28、29和30条所指的通知书、声明书、修改书和声明的撤销书；

　　d)第33条所指的废止书。

　　下列以全权代表经正式授权在本公约上签字，以资证明。

　　本公约于2005年6月30日在海牙签字，以英文和法文写成，两种文本具有同等效力，合成一个正本，应缴存于荷兰政府档案库，与原文核对无误的副本将通过外交途径送给每一出席海牙国际私法会议第二十次会议的国家。

　　附原文：

CONVENTION ON CHOICE OF COURT AGREEMENTS

(Concluded 30 June 2005)

The States Parties to the present Convention,

Desiring to promote international trade and investment through enhanced judicial co-operation,

Believing that such co-operation can be enhanced by uniform rules on jurisdiction and on recognition and

enforcement of foreign judgments in civil or commercial matters,

Believing that such enhanced co-operation requires in particular an international legal regime that provides

certainty and ensures the effectiveness of exclusive choice of court agreements between

transactions and that governs the recognition and enforcement of judgments resulting from proceedings based on

such agreements,

Have resolved to conclude this Convention and have agreed upon the following provisions -

CHAPTER I - SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS

Article 1 Scope

1. This Convention shall apply in international cases to exclusive choice of court agreements concluded in civil or

commercial matters.

2. For the purposes of Chapter II, a case is international unless the parties are resident in the same Contracting

State and the relationship of the parties and all other elements relevant to the dispute, regardless of the location of

the chosen court, are connected only with that State.

3. For the purposes of Chapter III, a case is international where recognition or enforcement of a foreign judgment

is sought.

Article 2 Exclusions from scope

1. This Convention shall not apply to exclusive choice of court agreements -

a) to which a natural person acting primarily for personal, family or household purposes (a consumer) is a party;

b) relating to contracts of employment, including collective agreements.

2. This Convention shall not apply to the following matters -

a) the status and legal capacity of natural persons;

b) maintenance obligations;

c) other family law matters, including matrimonial property regimes and other rights or obligations arising out of

marriage or similar relationships;

d) wills and succession;

e) insolvency, composition and analogous matters;

f) the carriage of passengers and goods;

g) marine pollution, limitation of liability for maritime claims, general average, and emergency towage and

salvage;

h) anti-trust (competition) matters;

i) liability for nuclear damage;

j) claims for personal injury brought by or on behalf of natural persons;

k) tort or delict claims for damage to tangible property that do not arise from a contractual relationship;

l) rights in rem in immovable property, and tenancies of immovable property;

m) the validity, nullity, or dissolution of legal persons, and the validity of decisions of their organs;

n) the validity of intellectual property rights other than copyright and related rights;

o) infringement of intellectual property rights other than copyright and related rights, except where infringement

proceedings are brought for breach of a contract between the parties relating to such rights, or could have been

brought for breach of that contract;

p) the validity of entries in public registers.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, proceedings are not excluded from the scope of this Convention where a matter

excluded under that paragraph arises merely as a preliminary question and not as an object of the proceedings. In

particular, the mere fact that a matter excluded under paragraph 2 arises by way of defence does not exclude

proceedings from the Convention, if that matter is not an object of the proceedings.

4. This Convention shall not apply to arbitration and related proceedings.

5. Proceedings are not excluded from the scope of this Convention by the mere fact that a State, including a

government, a governmental agency or any person acting for a State, is a party thereto.

6. Nothing in this Convention shall affect privileges and immunities of States or of international organisations, in

respect of themselves and of their property.

Article 3 Exclusive choice of court agreements

For the purposes of this Convention -

a) "exclusive choice of court agreement" means an agreement concluded by two or more parties that meets the

requirements of paragraph c) and designates, for the purpose of deciding disputes which have arisen or may arise

in connection with a particular legal relationship, the courts of one Contracting State or one or more specific

courts of one Contracting State to the exclusion of the jurisdiction of any other courts;

b) a choice of court agreement which designates the courts of one Contracting State or one or more specific courts

of one Contracting State shall be deemed to be exclusive unless the parties have expressly provided otherwise;

c) an exclusive choice of court agreement must be concluded or documented -

i) in writing; or

ii) by any other means of communication which renders information accessible so as to be usable for subsequent

reference;

d) an exclusive choice of court agreement that forms part of a contract shall be treated as an agreement

independent of the other terms of the contract. The validity of the exclusive choice of court agreement cannot be

contested solely on the ground that the contract is not valid.

Article 4 Other definitions

1. In this Convention, "judgment" means any decision on the merits given by a court, whatever it may be called,

including a decree or order, and a determination of costs or expenses by the court (including an officer of the

court), provided that the determination relates to a decision on the merits which may be recognised or enforced

under this Convention. An interim measure of protection is not a judgment.

2. For the purposes of this Convention, an entity or person other than a natural person shall be considered to be

resident in the State -

a) where it has its statutory seat;

b) under whose law it was incorporated or formed;

c) where it has its central administration; or

d) where it has its principal place of business.

CHAPTER II - JURISDICTION

Article 5 Jurisdiction of the chosen court

1. The court or courts of a Contracting State designated in an exclusive choice of court agreement shall have

jurisdiction to decide a dispute to which the agreement applies, unless the agreement is null and void under the

law of that State.

2. A court that has jurisdiction under paragraph 1 shall not decline to exercise jurisdiction on the ground that the

dispute should be decided in a court of another State.

3. The preceding paragraphs shall not affect rules -

a) on jurisdiction related to subject matter or to the value of the claim;

b) on the internal allocation of jurisdiction among the courts of a Contracting State. However, where the chosen

court has discretion as to whether to transfer a case, due consideration should be given to the choice of the parties.

Article 6 Obligations of a court not chosen

A court of a Contracting State other than that of the chosen court shall suspend or dismiss proceedings to which

an exclusive choice of court agreement applies unless -

a) the agreement is null and void under the law of the State of the chosen court;

b) a party lacked the capacity to conclude the agreement under the law of the State of the court seised;

c) giving effect to the agreement would lead to a manifest injustice or would be manifestly contrary to the public

policy of the State of the court seised;

d) for exceptional reasons beyond the control of the parties, the agreement cannot reasonably be performed; or

e) the chosen court has decided not to hear the case.

Article 7 Interim measures of protection

Interim measures of protection are not governed by this Convention. This Convention neither requires nor

precludes the grant, refusal or termination of interim measures of protection by a court of a Contracting State and

does not affect whether or not a party may request or a court should grant, refuse or terminate such measures.

CHAPTER III - RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT

Article 8 Recognition and enforcement

1. A judgment given by a court of a Contracting State designated in an exclusive choice of court agreement shall

be recognised and enforced in other Contracting States in accordance with this Chapter. Recognition or

enforcement may be refused only on the grounds specified in this Convention.

2. Without prejudice to such review as is necessary for the application of the provisions of this Chapter, there

shall be no review of the merits of the judgment given by the court of origin. The court addressed shall be bound

by the findings of fact on which the court of origin based its jurisdiction, unless the judgment was given by

default.

3. A judgment shall be recognised only if it has effect in the State of origin, and shall be enforced only if it is

enforceable in the State of origin.

4. Recognition or enforcement may be postponed or refused if the judgment is the subject of review in the State of

origin or if the time limit for seeking ordinary review has not expired. A refusal does not prevent a subsequent

application for recognition or enforcement of the judgment.

5. This Article shall also apply to a judgment given by a court of a Contracting State pursuant to a transfer of the

case from the chosen court in that Contracting State as permitted by Article 5, paragraph 3. However, where the

chosen court had discretion as to whether to transfer the case to another court, recognition or enforcement of the

judgment may be refused against a party who objected to the transfer in a timely manner in the State of origin.

Article 9 Refusal of recognition or enforcement

Recognition or enforcement may be refused if -

a) the agreement was null and void under the law of the State of the chosen court, unless the chosen court has

determined that the agreement is valid;

b) a party lacked the capacity to conclude the agreement under the law of the requested State;

c) the document which instituted the proceedings or an equivalent document, including the essential elements of

the claim,

i) was not notified to the defendant in sufficient time and in such a way as to enable him to arrange for his

defence, unless the defendant entered an appearance and presented his case without contesting notification in the

court of origin, provided that the law of the State of origin permitted notification to be contested; or

ii) was notified to the defendant in the requested State in a manner that is incompatible with fundamental

principles of the requested State concerning service of documents;

d) the judgment was obtained by fraud in connection with a matter of procedure;

e) recognition or enforcement would be manifestly incompatible with the public policy of the requested State,

including situations where the specific proceedings leading to the judgment were incompatible with fundamental

principles of procedural fairness of that State;

f) the judgment is inconsistent with a judgment given in the requested State in a dispute between the same parties;

or

g) the judgment is inconsistent with an earlier judgment given in another State between the same parties on the

same cause of action, provided that the earlier judgment fulfils the conditions necessary for its recognition in the

requested State.

Article 10 Preliminary questions

1. Where a matter excluded under Article 2, paragraph 2, or under Article 21, arose as a preliminary question, the

ruling

on that question shall not be recognised or enforced under this Convention.

2. Recognition or enforcement of a judgment may be refused if, and to the extent that, the judgment was based on

a ruling on a matter excluded under Article 2, paragraph 2.

3. However, in the case of a ruling on the validity of an intellectual property right other than copyright or a related

right, recognition or enforcement of a judgment may be refused or postponed under the preceding paragraph only

where -

a) that ruling is inconsistent with a judgment or a decision of a competent authority on that matter given in the

State under the law of which the intellectual property right arose; or

b) proceedings concerning the validity of the intellectual property right are pending in that State.

4. Recognition or enforcement of a judgment may be refused if, and to the extent that, the judgment was based on

a ruling on a matter excluded pursuant to a declaration made by the requested State under Article 21.

Article 11 Damages

1. Recognition or enforcement of a judgment may be refused if, and to the extent that, the judgment awards

damages, including exemplary or punitive damages, that do not compensate a party for actual loss or harm

suffered.

2. The court addressed shall take into account whether and to what extent the damages awarded by the court of

origin serve to cover costs and expenses relating to the proceedings.

Article 12 Judicial settlements (transactions judiciaires)

Judicial settlements (transactions judiciaires) which a court of a Contracting State designated in an exclusive

choice of court agreement has approved, or which have been concluded before that court in the course of

proceedings, and which are enforceable in the same manner as a judgment in the State of origin, shall be enforced

under this Convention in the same manner as a judgment.

Article 13 Documents to be produced

1. The party seeking recognition or applying for enforcement shall produce -

a) a complete and certified copy of the judgment;

b) the exclusive choice of court agreement, a certified copy thereof, or other evidence of its existence;

c) if the judgment was given by default, the original or a certified copy of a document establishing that the

document which instituted the proceedings or an equivalent document was notified to the defaulting party;

d) any documents necessary to establish that the judgment has effect or, where applicable, is enforceable in the

State of origin;

e) in the case referred to in Article 12, a certificate of a court of the State of origin that the judicial settlement or a

part of it is enforceable in the same manner as a judgment in the State of origin.

2. If the terms of the judgment do not permit the court addressed to verify whether the conditions of this Chapter

have been complied with, that court may require any necessary documents.

3. An application for recognition or enforcement may be accompanied by a document, issued by a court

(including an officer of the court) of the State of origin, in the form recommended and published by the Hague

Conference on Private International Law.

4. If the documents referred to in this Article are not in an official language of the requested State, they shall be

accompanied by a certified translation into an official language, unless the law of the requested State provides

otherwise.

Article 14 Procedure

The procedure for recognition, declaration of enforceability or registration for enforcement, and the enforcement

of the judgment, are governed by the law of the requested State unless this Convention provides otherwise. The

court addressed shall act expeditiously.

Article 15 Severability

Recognition or enforcement of a severable part of a judgment shall be granted where recognition or enforcement

of that part is applied for, or only part of the judgment is capable of being recognised or enforced under this

Convention.

CHAPTER IV - GENERAL CLAUSES

Article 16 Transitional provisions

1. This Convention shall apply to exclusive choice of court agreements concluded after its entry into force for the

State of the chosen court.

2. This Convention shall not apply to proceedings instituted before its entry into force for the State of the court

seised.

Article17 Contracts of insurance and reinsurance

1. Proceedings under a contract of insurance or reinsurance are not excluded from the scope of this Convention on

the ground that the contract of insurance or reinsurance relates to a matter to which this Convention does not

apply.

2. Recognition and enforcement of a judgment in respect of liability under the terms of a contract of insurance or

reinsurance may not be limited or refused on the ground that the liability under that contract includes liability to

indemnify the insured or reinsured in respect of -

a) a matter to which this Convention does not apply; or

b) an award of damages to which Article 11 might apply.

Article 18 No legalisation

All documents forwarded or delivered under this Convention shall be exempt from legalisation or any analogous

formality, including an Apostille.

Article 19 Declarations limiting jurisdiction

A State may declare that its courts may refuse to determine disputes to which an exclusive choice of court

agreement applies if, except for the location of the chosen court, there is no connection between that State and the

parties or the dispute.

Article 20 Declarations limiting recognition and enforcement

A State may declare that its courts may refuse to recognise or enforce a judgment given by a court of another

Contracting State if the parties were resident in the requested State, and the relationship of the parties and all other

elements relevant to the dispute, other than the location of the chosen court, were connected only with the

requested State.

Article 21 Declarations with respect to specific matters

1. Where a State has a strong interest in not applying this Convention to a specific matter, that State may declare

that it will not apply the Convention to that matter. The State making such a declaration shall ensure that the

declaration is no broader than necessary and that the specific matter excluded is clearly and precisely defined.

2. With regard to that matter, the Convention shall not apply -

a) in the Contracting State that made the declaration;

b) in other Contracting States, where an exclusive choice of court agreement designates the courts, or one or more

specific courts, of the State that made the declaration.

Article 22 Reciprocal declarations on non-exclusive choice of court agreements

1. A Contracting State may declare that its courts will recognise and enforce judgments given by courts of other

Contracting States designated in a choice of court agreement concluded by two or more parties that meets the

requirements of Article 3, paragraph c), and designates, for the purpose of deciding disputes which have arisen or

may arise in connection with a particular legal relationship, a court or courts of one or more Contracting States (a

non-exclusive choice of court agreement).

2. Where recognition or enforcement of a judgment given in a Contracting State that has made such a declaration

is sought in another Contracting State that has made such a declaration, the judgment shall be recognised and

enforced under this Convention, if -

a) the court of origin was designated in a non-exclusive choice of court agreement;

b) there exists neither a judgment given by any other court before which proceedings could be brought in

accordance with the non-exclusive choice of court agreement, nor a proceeding pending between the same parties

in any other such court on the same cause of action; and

c) the court of origin was the court first seised.

Article 23 Uniform interpretation

In the interpretation of this Convention, regard shall be had to its international character and to the need to

promote uniformity in its application.

Article 24 Review of operation of the Convention

The Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law shall at regular intervals make

arrangements for -

a) review of the operation of this Convention, including any declarations; and

b) consideration of whether any amendments to this Convention are desirable.

Article 25 Non-unified legal systems

1. In relation to a Contracting State in which two or more systems of law apply in different territorial units with

regard to any matter dealt with in this Convention -

a) any reference to the law or procedure of a State shall be construed as referring, where appropriate, to the law or

procedure in force in the relevant territorial unit;

b) any reference to residence in a State shall be construed as referring, where appropriate, to residence in the

relevant territorial unit;

c) any reference to the court or courts of a State shall be construed as referring, where appropriate, to the court or

courts in the relevant territorial unit;

d) any reference to a connection with a State shall be construed as referring, where appropriate, to a connection

with the relevant territorial unit.

2. Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, a Contracting State with two or more territorial units in which

different systems of law apply shall not be bound to apply this Convention to situations which involve solely such

different territorial units.

3. A court in a territorial unit of a Contracting State with two or more territorial units in which different systems

of law apply shall not be bound to recognise or enforce a judgment from another Contracting State solely because

the judgment has been recognised or enforced in another territorial unit of the same Contracting State under this

Convention.

4. This Article shall not apply to a Regional Economic Integration Organisation.

Article 26 Relationship with other international instruments

1. This Convention shall be interpreted so far as possible to be compatible with other treaties in force for

Contracting States, whether concluded before or after this Convention.

2. This Convention shall not affect the application by a Contracting State of a treaty, whether concluded before or

after this Convention, in cases where none of the parties is resident in a Contracting State that is not a Party to the

treaty.

3. This Convention shall not affect the application by a Contracting State of a treaty that was concluded before

this Convention entered into force for that Contracting State, if applying this Convention would be inconsistent

with the obligations of that Contracting State to any non-Contracting State. This paragraph shall also apply to

treaties that revise or replace a treaty concluded before this Convention entered into force for that Contracting

State, except to the extent that the revision or replacement creates new inconsistencies with this Convention.

4. This Convention shall not affect the application by a Contracting State of a treaty, whether concluded before or

after this Convention, for the purposes of obtaining recognition or enforcement of a judgment given by a court of

a Contracting State that is also a Party to that treaty. However, the judgment shall not be recognised or enforced to

a lesser extent than under this Convention.

5. This Convention shall not affect the application by a Contracting State of a treaty which, in relation to a

specific matter, governs jurisdiction or the recognition or enforcement of judgments, even if concluded after this

Convention and even if all States concerned are Parties to this Convention. This paragraph shall apply only if the

Contracting State has made a declaration in respect of the treaty under this paragraph. In the case of such a

declaration, other Contracting States shall not be obliged to apply this Convention to that specific matter to the

extent of any inconsistency, where an exclusive choice of court agreement designates the courts, or one or more

specific courts, of the Contracting State that made the declaration.

6. This Convention shall not affect the application of the rules of a Regional Economic Integration Organisation

that is a Party to this Convention, whether adopted before or after this Convention -

a) where none of the parties is resident in a Contracting State that is not a Member State of the Regional

Economic Integration Organisation;

b) as concerns the recognition or enforcement of judgments as between Member States of the Regional Economic

Integration Organisation.

CHAPTER V - FINAL CLAUSES

Article 27 Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

1. This Convention is open for signature by all States.

2. This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by the signatory States.

3. This Convention is open for accession by all States.

4. Instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign

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

Article 28 Declarations with respect to non-unified legal systems

1. If a State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of law apply 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. A 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 shall extend to all territorial units of that

State.

4. This Article shall not apply to a Regional Economic Integration Organisation.

Article 29 Regional Economic Integration Organisations

1. A Regional Economic Integration Organisation which is constituted solely by sovereign States and has

competence over some or all of the matters governed by this Convention may similarly sign, accept, approve or

accede to this Convention. The Regional Economic Integration Organisation shall in that case have the rights and

obligations of a Contracting State, to the extent that the Organisation has competence over matters governed by

this Convention.

2. The Regional Economic Integration Organisation shall, at the time of signature, acceptance, approval or

accession, notify the depositary in writing of the matters governed by this Convention in respect of which

competence has been transferred to that Organisation by its Member States. The Organisation shall promptly

notify the depositary in writing of any changes to its competence as specified in the most recent notice given

under this paragraph.

3. For the purposes of the entry into force of this Convention, any instrument deposited by a Regional Economic

Integration Organisation shall not be counted unless the Regional Economic Integration Organisation declares in

accordance with Article 30 that its Member States will not be Parties to this Convention.

4. Any reference to a "Contracting State" or "State" in this Convention shall apply equally, where appropriate, to a

Regional Economic Integration Organisation that is a Party to it.

Article 30 Accession by a Regional Economic Integration Organisation without its Member States

1. At the time of signature, acceptance, approval or accession, a Regional Economic Integration Organisation may

declare that it exercises competence over all the matters governed by this Convention and that its Member States

will not be Parties to this Convention but shall be bound by virtue of the signature, acceptance, approval or

accession of the Organisation.

2. In the event that a declaration is made by a Regional Economic Integration Organisation in accordance with

paragraph 1, any reference to a "Contracting State" or "State" in this Convention shall apply equally, where

appropriate, to the Member States of the Organisation.

Article 31 Entry into force

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months

after the deposit of the second instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession referred to in Article

27.

2. Thereafter this Convention shall enter into force -

a) for each State or Regional Economic Integration Organisation subsequently ratifying, accepting, approving or

acceding to it, 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 a territorial unit to which this Convention has been extended in accordance with Article 28, paragraph 1, on

the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the notification of the declaration referred

to in that Article.

Article 32 Declarations

1. Declarations referred to in Articles 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26 may be made upon signature, ratification, acceptance,

approval or accession or at any time thereafter, and may be modified or withdrawn at any time.

2. Declarations, modifications and withdrawals shall be notified to the depositary.

3. A declaration made at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession shall take effect

simultaneously with the entry into force of this Convention for the State concerned.

4. A declaration made at a subsequent time, and any modification or withdrawal of a declaration, shall take

effect

on the first day of the month following the expiration of three months after the date on which the notification is

received by the depositary.

5. A declaration under Articles 19, 20, 21 and 26 shall not apply to exclusive choice of court agreements

concluded before it takes effect.

Article 33 Denunciation

1. This Convention may be denounced by notification in writing to the depositary. The denunciation may be

limited to certain territorial units of a non-unified legal system to which this Convention applies.

2. The denunciation shall take effect on the first day of the month following the expiration of twelve months after

the date on which the notification is received by the depositary. Where a longer period for the denunciation to

take effect is specified in the notification, the denunciation shall take effect upon the expiration of such longer

period after the date on which the notification is received by the depositary.

Article 34 Notifications by the depositary

The depositary shall notify the Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and other States

and Regional Economic Integration Organisations which have signed, ratified, accepted, approved or acceded in

accordance with Articles 27, 29 and 30 of the following -

a) the signatures, ratifications, acceptances, approvals and accessions referred to in Articles 27, 29 and 30;

b) the date on which this Convention enters into force in accordance with Article 31;

c) the notifications, declarations, modifications and withdrawals of declarations referred to in Articles 19, 20, 21,

22, 26, 28, 29 and 30;

d) the denunciations referred to in Article 33.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done at The Hague, on 30 June 2005, 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 Member States of the Hague

Conference on Private International Law as of the date of its Twentieth Session and to each State which

participated in that Session.

Annex to the Convention: recommended form