A partir de 1 de julho de 2025, após a sua ratificação em junho de 2024, o Reino Unido torna-se oficialmente parte contratante da Convenção da Haia de 2019 sobre o reconhecimento e a execução de decisões judiciais estrangeiras em matéria civil ou comercial.
This marks a key milestone in the UK’s post-Brexit legal landscape, strengthening cross-border cooperation and simplifying the enforcement of court judgments between the UK, the EU, and other signatory states.
O que é a Convenção da Haia sobre decisões judiciais?
The 2019 Hague Convention provides a uniform legal framework for recognising and enforcing civil e comercial judgments across member countries. It eliminates the need to re-litigate cases in foreign jurisdictions, allowing judgments issued in one country to be enforced in another via a simplified registration process.
This is particularly relevant for businesses engaged in international trade and contracts, where swift and reliable enforcement of court decisions is essential.
Principais vantagens para as partes comerciais
UK businesses currently face delays and added complexity when seeking to enforce judgments abroad. The Convention addresses this by offering a clearer, more consistent approach, helping reduce legal costs, uncertainty, and duplication of proceedings.
Segurança jurídica e eficiência
The Convention provides UK companies and consumers with increased confidence that UK court judgments vontade be recognised and enforced in other contracting states—and vice versa. This predictability encourages cross-border trade, investment, and resolução de litígios.
Colmatar o défice de aplicação pós-Brexit
Desde que saiu da UE, o Reino Unido deixou de fazer parte da Regulamento de Bruxelas reformulado e Convenção de Lugano, which previously facilitated enforcement across the EU and EFTA states. The 2019 Hague Convention fills much of this void, although it does not govern jurisdiction allocation.
Apoio à resolução de litígios comerciais
A nova Convenção complementa a 2005 Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements, extending enforcement protections to non-exclusive jurisdiction agreements. This strengthens the UK’s attractiveness as a forum for resolving international dispute.
Poupança de custos e de tempo
Particularly beneficial for PME, Espera-se que a Convenção reduza as custas judiciais e os atrasos na execução de decisões estrangeiras, melhorando o acesso à justiça e facilitando a cobrança de dívidas em transacções transfronteiriças.
Desafios e limitações
Âmbito de aplicação limitado e exclusões
The Convention applies only to specific civil and commercial matters. It excludes areas such as family law and certain personal injury claims, meaning some cases will still require traditional enforcement mechanisms.
Preocupações relativas às normas judiciais
Recognising judgments from countries with lower judicial transparência or fairness raises potential concerns. The UK government has stated it will actively monitor new members joining the Convention and may issue declarations to restrict enforcement where necessary.
Sem regras de atribuição de competência
A Convenção não determina quais os tribunais do país que devem apreciar um litígio. As questões de competência continuarão a ser resolvidas ao abrigo da legislação nacional ou de outros acordos internacionais.
Conclusão
The UK’s accession to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention is a major advancement in re-establishing international legal cooperation after Brexit. It introduces a clearer and more efficient system for cross-border enforcement of civil and commercial judgments, benefiting UK businesses, consumers, and the broader legal sector.
While some limitations remain—such as exclusions in scope and concerns over fairness in certain jurisdictions—the Convention is expected to strengthen the UK’s position as a preferred venue for dispute resolution and promote smoother global trade and investment.
If you require any assistance in relation to enforcing a foreign judgment in the UK or a judgment outside of the UK, please contact Partner Jonathan Chan at J.Chan@rfblegal.co.uk.
Jonathan Chan
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