[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 9072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3524]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 7322]


U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on Private 
International Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting on Jurisdiction and the 
Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments

    The Department of State, Office of Legal Adviser, Office of Private 
International Law would like to give notice of a public meeting to 
discuss issues relating to jurisdiction and the recognition and 
enforcement of judgments. The European Commission released on December 
14, 2010 its proposal, COM(2010) 748 final, for amendments to Council 
Regulation (EC) No. 44/2001 of 22 December 2001 on jurisdiction and the 
recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial 
matters (known as ``Brussels I''). See http://ec.europa.eu/justice/policies/civil/docs/com_2010_748_en.pdf.
    Under the current text of Brussels I, most of the rules apply only 
to defendants domiciled in a EU member state. When the defendant is not 
a domiciliary of a EU member state, jurisdiction in civil actions is 
governed by the national law of the relevant member state, rather than 
by the jurisdictional rules set forth in Brussels I. The proposed 
amendments would, inter alia, do away with that distinction, making the 
Brussels I rules applicable in all cases, regardless of the domicile of 
the defendant. These changes have potentially significant implications 
for U.S. citizens and residents who are involved in civil actions in EU 
member states. The Commission's proposal will now be considered by the 
European Council and by the European Parliament.
    In addition, last year the Council on General Affairs and Policy of 
the Hague Conference on Private International Law considered a proposal 
to continue work in the judgments area. Work in that forum had 
previously led to the conclusion in 2005 of the Convention on Choice of 
Court Agreements, which is not yet in force. The State and Justice 
Departments are currently engaged in discussions with various domestic 
stakeholders regarding implementing legislation for that Convention. 
The scope of that Convention is limited to situations in which the 
parties have expressly designated the court or courts in which disputes 
will be resolved; it does not address many other situations, including 
non-contract actions, in which no such choice has been made. At the 
Hague Conference, it has been proposed that an experts' group be 
convened to consider possible options for a broader instrument. In 
April 2011, the Conference's Council on General Affairs and Policy will 
hold its annual meeting and will revisit this topic.
    The purpose of the public meeting, to be held under the auspices of 
the State Department's Advisory Committee on Private International Law, 
is to consider these developments and possible responses by the U.S. 
Government.
    Time and Place: The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, 
March 23, 2011 from 8:30 to 11:30 am EST at Covington & Burling LLP, 
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Participants should 
appear at the guards' desk at Covington & Burling by 8:15 am to be 
directed to the meeting location.
    Public Participation: This meeting is open to the public, subject 
to the capacity of the meeting room. Because of space limitations, 
those wishing to attend are required to pre-register. If you are unable 
to attend the public meeting and would like to participate from a 
remote location, teleconferencing will be available.
    Persons wishing to attend in person or telephonically should 
contact Trisha Smeltzer ([email protected]) or Niesha Toms 
([email protected]) of the Office of Private International Law and 
provide your name, affiliation, e-mail address, and mailing address.

    Dated: February 7, 2011.
Michael S. Coffee,
Attorney-Adviser, Office of Private International Law, Office of the 
Legal Adviser, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2011-3524 Filed 2-15-11; 8:45 am]
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