By a decision dated 31 March 2001, the Council of the European Union signed the Hague Convention, of 23 November 2007, on the International Recovery of Child Support and other forms of Family Maintenance. This Convention establishes a system of administrative cooperation between authorities of the contracting states and a system for recognising and enforcing decisions and agreements on maintenance obligations. Specifically, it makes provision for free legal assistance in child maintenance cases and effective measures for the rapid enforcement of maintenance judgments. The areas covered by the Convention are also covered by Regulation (EC) no. 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations.