The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has ratified amendments to the Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters during its latest plenary session.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the parliament discussed two bills regarding the protocols to the conventions dated January 22, 1993, and October 7, 2002. The primary objective of these amendments is to facilitate and promote the recognition of court orders concerning the collection of alimony for minors across the participating states. The updates aim to streamline judicial processes and ensure the protection of children's rights in cross-border legal disputes.
The amendments introduce specific terminology regarding court orders for child support into several articles of the conventions. Specifically, changes were made to Articles 6, 51, 53, and 55 of the 1993 Convention, as well as Articles 6, 54, 56, and 59 of the 2002 Convention. These updates ensure that debtors are properly notified of court orders in accordance with national legislation and that such orders are recognized internationally. The protocols were signed in accordance with the procedures established by the Council of Heads of State and other governing bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Under Article 120 of the 2002 Convention, the newer treaty replaces the 1993 version and its 1997 protocol among participating states. However, the 1993 Convention remains applicable in relations with states where the 2002 version has not yet entered into force. This legal framework is essential for maintaining consistent judicial cooperation between Azerbaijan and other member states, particularly in civil and family law matters. Following the discussions, both bills were put to a vote and adopted in a single reading.
