A recent ruling by the European Union’s highest court soon should make it easier to find a Notary throughout the continent, and the cost of notarial services will likely be reduced, according to official reports.
The decision, handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Union, orders seven countries — Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and Portugal — to change their laws that require Notaries in those nations to be citizens.
The case against the practices of these seven nations, originally filed in 2007 by the EU’s enforcement branch, claimed that the citizenship requirements violated the union’s trade and competition policies. The countries named in the suit must amend their laws to allow competition from Notaries from other EU nations or face stiff fines.
The ruling should make it easier for organizations outside the affected countries to find notarial services and exchange notarized documents.