During the meeting, 2nd Vice-President Pichonnaz presented, among other things, relevant ELI’s work in the field, in particular its Principles for a Data Economy, Blockchain and Smart Contracts and Access to Digital Assets projects. He met different stakeholders as well as the Secretary General of the HCCH, Christophe Bernasconi, to exchange views and explore ways to create further synergies.

A further topic of mutual interest on the agenda on 4 March was the protection of adults in international situations. Both ELI and the HCCH have been working on this theme in recent years. The ELI project on Protection of Adults in International Situations, which is currently pending approval of the ELI Membership (deadline: 20 March) provides analysis and, where appropriate, proposals regarding further issues surrounding the application of the Hague Convention of 13 January 2000 on the International Protection of Adults or otherwise relevant to the protection of adults in international situations. The report will also include a checklist intended for practitioners, to encourage the development of private mandates within the ambit of the substantive laws of the Member States.