This reform is aimed at the:
Transition to a single notarial system to make notarisation available in each notarial district and secure notarisation for vulnerable groups;
Introduction of an electronic notary system to streamline notarial processes thereby rendering quicker notarial services to people;
Promotion of professional self-regulation of the notarial system to raise proficiency of notaries, strengthen control of notaries’ compliance with ethical norms, notarial workflow and workplace rules.
The notarial system plays an important social role being a preventive justice institution and an undisputed civil jurisdiction body.
The lack of modern and innovative solutions in the notarial activity and the use of paperwork by notaries make notarial processes long and complicated, hinder the development of the notarial system and slow down Ukraine’s transition to digital economy, the option chosen by the majority of states with the Latin notarial system.
Another issue is the difficulties encountered by people living in low-density regions when trying to access affordable quality notarial services.
Transition to a single notarial system
This task will help abolish the division into governmental and private notaries and set a single notary status in accordance with the long-established practices of the top European countries.
The transition to a single notarial system includes gradual closure of governmental notary offices (there are currently 687 of them in Ukraine) which should result in saving budgetary funds. At the same time, the Government will need to ensure the availability of basic notarial services for vulnerable groups.
Introduction of an electronic notary system
Total digitalisation of notarial processes will include:
cancellation of filling out and keeping paper notarial journals;
reducing the number of documents required for a notarial event;
automation of a range of notarial processes;
improving communication between state information resources;
transfer of cases and keeping a notarial archive electronically.
All of these steps will ensure faster and better notarisation free of errors or mistakes.
In particular, an online portal of the Electronic Notarial System (Notary E-Office, Unified Register of Notarial Events, Electronic Notarial Archive) is planned to be launched on a self-regulation basis.
Self-regulation of notarial activities
The important components of the transition to the single notarial system is delegating a range of powers to a professional notary self-regulation body, including: control of the notarial system organisation and activities, office work monitoring, enhancement of proficiency of notaries, control of compliance with the Code of Notary Ethics, ensuring uniform distribution of notary workplaces throughout Ukraine.
Creating the legislative environment for the implementation of the notarial system reform — parliamentary registration of the bill on the transition to the single notarial system, electronic notary system and self-regulation of notarial activities;
Launching a pilot project with an electronic notary’s workplace.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Notary Chamber of Ukraine, PRAVO-JUSTICE.