Speaker details

Biography

Melissa Ford joined the Permanent Bureau in 2022 as Secretary of the Transnational Litigation and Apostille Division. Melissa has primary responsibility for the 1961 Apostille Convention and the associated electronic Apostille Programme, 1965 Service Convention, 1970 Evidence Convention, 1980 Access to Justice Convention, 2005 Choice of Court Convention and the 2019 Judgments Convention. Melissa also has responsibility for the ongoing work of the Jurisdiction Project. In her capacity as Secretary, Melissa works to promote the Conventions in her portfolio, to ensure their smooth operation among Contracting Parties, and to study their operation. In 2024, Melissa and her team at the Permanent Bureau were responsible for facilitating the July meeting of the Special Commission on the 1965 Service, 1970 Evidence and 1980 Access to Conventions. Prior to joining the Permanent Bureau, Melissa worked in the Australian Government at the Attorney-General’s Department. Melissa held a range of positions including Director of the Private International & Commercial Law Section. This Section is the National Organ to the HCCH, the Central Authority for the 1965 Service and 1970 Evidence Conventions, and responsible for work relating to the 2005 Choice of Court and 2019 Judgments Conventions. In this role, Melissa attended and represented the Australian Government at various HCCH meetings, including the Council on General Affairs and Policy, Special Commissions, and the 2019 Diplomatic Session.