After the congresses in Rome (2005), Warsaw (2008) and Brussels (2011), Santiago de Compostela will host the fourth Notaries of Europe Congress from 5 to 7 October 2017. The event will bring together over 700 participants, notaries from across the European Union and representatives from the worlds of politics, law and academia, in addition to some 300 partners. Like for the other editions, prestigious speakers will honour us with their presence, helping to make this an unmissable event for the notariat and current European political affairs.

BUILDING EU LAW

The theme of the 4th Notaries of Europe Congress is “EU Law at the Service of Citizens”, the aim being to analyse civil and commercial law and make legislative proposals to the European institutions. With the prospect of Brexit and the rise of Eurosceptic political parties in the Member States, 2017 will be a decisive year for the European Union. However, an irreversible process has been set in motion: European integration will not stop. European citizens will continue to live, work, buy property and start businesses in Member States other than that of their nationality. The notaries of Europe must be present to build and continue to build this Europe serving the private interests of citizens and businesses.

FOCUS ON CONSUMER AND COMPANY LAW

The congress working sessions will focus on two highly topical subjects, one being consumer law and the notariat’s role in developing digital solutions, the other being company law and the transfer of company headquarters in the European Union.

In the digital world, notaries and legal practitioners in general are today facing an increasing number of challenges, which also represent opportunities: the provision of digital services, digital inheritance, blockchains, bitcoins, etc. Notaries must adapt to their clients’ new consumer methods and propose innovate solutions, whilst making sure they guarantee the very essence of their function, i.e. legal certainty.

On the issue of transferring company headquarters, the participants will be able to discuss the possibility of a European directive that would clarify the legal situation, which is currently uncertain for many companies. Indeed, the legal effects of transferring company seat are dealt with nationally and European case law sets out the principles that are applied on a case-by-case basis. A legislative proposal would need to reconcile several elements: fostering company mobility, protecting the interests of third parties (employees, creditors, etc.) linked to the transfer of seat, and facilitating the resolution of tax matters.

To know more about the event, the programme and the speakers, please visit www.notariesofeurope-congress2017.eu