Private international law bill returns to the Lords

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• Bills and legislation: Private International Law (Implementation of Agreements) Bill [HL]
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Amendments were considered on the implementation of other agreements on private international law and power to regulate by statutory instrument. Members agreed changes to Commons amendments 1 and 4.

The bill now passes back to the Commons for further consideration of Lords amendments.

Third reading: Monday 29 June

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Members discussed implementation of other agreements on private international law and regulations made by statutory instrument or statutory rule.

Following completion of third reading, the bill passed to the Commons for its consideration.

Report stage: Wednesday 17 June

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• Lords divisions (votes) results
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Members discussed a range of topics and proposed changes to the billincluding the enforcement of the Hague Convention in the UK, regulations on rights under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and government consultation with the devolved administrations.

Members considered a change to remove a clause giving the appropriate minister the power to introduce changes to domestic law, including changes incidental to international treaties made with foreign countries, on the basis that domestic law should be changed because that has been agreed with a foreign country.

320 members were in favour of this amendment, with 233 against, and so the change was made.

Committee stage day two: Wednesday 3 June

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Members discussed topics including

• the extension of certain provisions of the bill to the Isle of Man
• government reporting ahead of future regulations regarding the new law in Parliament
• ensuring future regulations do not create, amend or extend a criminal offence, nor increases its penalty.

Committee stage day one: Wednesday 13 May

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Members discussed a range of topics and proposed changes to the bill, including including the definition of private international law, and impact on crown dependencies and overseas territories.

Second reading: Tuesday 17 March

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Members discussed a range of topics, including:

• implementing international agreements, including the Lugano Convention 2007
• ministerial powers to change primary legislation
• UK's continued participation in key Private International Law agreements.

Lord Keen of Elie (Conservative), government spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and the bill's sponsor in the Lords, opened the debate.

Bill summary

This bill aims to bring the 1996, 2005 and 2007 Hague Conventions into UK law. These conventions involve:

• parental responsibility and measures for the protection of children
• global contract law
• international recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance

Image: PA