Existing Statelessness determination procedure Specialized Sections for International Protection, Migration and Statelessness of the Civil Courts. The purpose was to enhance the specialization of judges hearing such matters, as previously migration, international protection and statelessness cases were all dealt with by civil judges who were not specialized in those areas. Efficient referral mechanisms should be established, while officials who may be in contact with stateless persons need to be trained to identify potential applicants for statelessness status and refer them to appropriate channels. The practice in Hungary provides an example. Training sessions for officials take place on a regular basis, allowing for an exchange of information and discussion of trends and common challenges. 2. Access to procedures For procedures to be fair and efficient, and to ensure that all stateless persons benefit from the implementation of the 1954 Convention, access to the SDP must be guaranteed and not subject to time limits.21 Information on the procedure and counselling services must be available to potential applicants in a language they understand. The ability to submit both written and oral applications is provided for in the SDPs in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hungary, Moldova, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay. Further promoting accessibility, in Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay applications can be made through a legal representative. In Panama, applications can also be made through a UNHCR representative or NGO. In Latvia, applicants receive assistance from the competent authority when filling out the application form. As many individuals are not aware that they might be stateless, it is recommended that governmental authorities be authorized to initiate these procedures ex officio when approached by individuals who present as potentially stateless, especially unaccompanied children. The legislation establishing the procedure in Ecuador, Moldova, Panama, Spain and Hungary foresees such an ex officio initiation of the 21 None of the SDPs established impose time limits until which persons can no longer apply for statelessness status U N H C R > G P P AC T I O N 6 : E S TA B L I S H I N G S TAT E L E S S N E S S D E T E R M I N AT I O N P R O C E D U R E S 11