Article 32
In relation to a State which in matters of custody of children has two or more systems of law applicable
to different categories of persons, any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as referring
to the legal system specified by the law of that State.
Article 33
A State within which different territorial units have their own rules of law in respect of custody of children
shall not be bound to apply this Convention where a State with a unified system of law would not be
bound to do so.
Article 34
This Convention shall take priority in matters within its scope over the Convention of 5 October 1961
concerning the powers of authorities and the law applicable in respect of the protection of minors, as
between Parties to both Conventions. Otherwise the present Convention shall not restrict the application
of an international instrument in force between the State of origin and the State addressed or other law
of the State addressed for the purposes of obtaining the return of a child who has been wrongfully
removed or retained or of organising access rights.
Article 35
This Convention shall apply as between Contracting States only to wrongful removals or retentions
occurring after its entry into force in those States.
Where a declaration has been made under Article 39 or 40, the reference in the preceding paragraph to
a Contracting State shall be taken to refer to the territorial unit or units in relation to which this Convention
applies.
Article 36
Nothing in this Convention shall prevent two or more Contracting States, in order to limit the restrictions
to which the return of the child may be subject, from agreeing among themselves to derogate from any
provisions of this Convention which may imply such a restriction.
CHAPTER VI – FINAL CLAUSES
Article 37
The Convention shall be open for signature by the States which were Members of the Hague Conference
on Private International Law at the time of its Fourteenth Session.
It shall be ratified, accepted or approved and the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall
be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Article 38
Any other State may accede to the Convention.
The instrument of accession shall be deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands.
The Convention shall enter into force for a State acceding to it on the first day of the third calendar month
after the deposit of its instrument of accession.