Spain Appoints Judge Íñigo Herrero Elejalde as Liaison to Hague Conference on Private International Law
Judge Íñigo Herrero Elejalde has been appointed as a liaison judge to the Hague Conference on Private International Law, strengthening Spain’s role in international judicial cooperation and cross-border legal dispute resolution.
Spain’s international judicial profile has been strengthened by the appointment of Íñigo Herrero Elejalde as a liaison judge to the Hague Conference on Private International Law. According to the Official State Gazette (Order PJC/496/2026), this role highlights the increasing need for specialized expertise in resolving cross-border legal disputes, where consistent regulations are vital for global legal certainty.
Herrero, a judge at the Puerto de la Cruz Court in Tenerife, will share these duties with Magistrate Ana del Ser López, President of the High Court of Justice of Castile and León. The General Council of the Judiciary selected them for an initial three-year term, which may be extended. In this role, Herrero will act as a bridge between the Spanish legal system and the international body responsible for unifying private international law.
Since joining the judiciary in 2012, Herrero has focused heavily on international judicial cooperation. His background includes experience in courts across Burgos, Miranda de Ebro, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, alongside a strong academic record. As a lecturer at the University of La Laguna and a fluent speaker of English, French, and Italian, he is well-equipped to navigate the complex international environment of the Hague Conference.
Beyond his courtroom work, Herrero has been a member of the Spanish Judicial Network for International Judicial Cooperation (REJUE) since 2019 and has participated in Eurojust working groups focused on migrant smuggling. He has also provided technical consulting for development projects in Serbia, Turkey, and Colombia and helped update the Judicial Handbook for International Cooperation.
This appointment marks a significant step for judicial diplomacy, placing a judge based in the Canary Islands at the center of international efforts. Herrero’s background in European Commission committees and his work on human rights and family law align closely with the core mission of the Hague Conference. By making this appointment, the Spanish judiciary is enhancing its ability to collaborate with other legal systems, which is increasingly essential in modern law.