The International Union of Judicial Officers participated through its president Marc Schmitz, as an observer organization to UNCITRAL, in the 68th session of Working Group V on Insolvency Law, held in New York from 13 to 17 April 2026. The session was dedicated to insolvency law, with a particular focus on applicable law in insolvency proceedings.
For the UIHJ, participation in this work is of direct relevance. Insolvency proceedings frequently intersect with enforcement, asset identification, preservation measures, recovery of assets, creditors’ rights and the practical effectiveness of judicial decisions. The work of Working Group V therefore touches upon issues at the heart of the mission of judicial officers: ensuring that justice is not merely declared, but effectively implemented.
The discussions at the 68th session continued UNCITRAL’s broader effort to develop coherent and internationally compatible standards in insolvency law. The agenda followed previous work on applicable law in insolvency proceedings and built on the materials examined at earlier sessions, including the 67th session held in Vienna in December 2025.
The UIHJ particularly welcomes the continued attention given to cross-border insolvency and to the need for predictable legal frameworks. In a globalized economy, assets, creditors, debtors and proceedings are often located in different jurisdictions. This creates practical challenges for enforcement professionals, courts, insolvency practitioners and public authorities. Harmonized rules can contribute to legal certainty, efficiency and mutual trust between jurisdictions.
The presence of the UIHJ at UNCITRAL confirms the importance of the profession of judicial officers in international legal cooperation. Judicial officers are key actors in the enforcement chain. Their practical experience is essential when international instruments are designed, because effective law is not only a matter of principles, but also of implementation on the ground.
The UIHJ will continue to follow closely the work of UNCITRAL Working Group V and to contribute, where appropriate, the perspective of enforcement professionals. Its observer status enables the UIHJ to represent the profession in one of the most important global forums for the modernization and harmonization of international commercial law.
