Initial and continuing professional training is one of the fundamental guarantees of the quality of the notarial service. The profession of public notary calls for a high level of legal training, constantly updated knowledge and adaptation to national and European legislative developments. In this context, the Romanian Notarial Institute is the specialised institution that provides training, development and professional specialisation within the notarial profession in Romania.
Organisation of the Romanian Notarial Institute
The Romanian Notarial Institute (INR) is an entity of public interest, with legal personality, established, organised and operating within the National Union of Public Notaries of Romania, under the conditions laid down in its own statute, approved by the Council of the Union (Article 61(1) of Law No. 36/1995).
Its main role is to ensure the improvement of notarial activity and the initial and continuing professional training of public notaries, trainee notaries, other specialists, as well as the specialised staff of notarial offices, of the Chambers of Public Notaries and of the Union. For the training completed, the Institute is entitled to issue diplomas or certificates recognised by the competent public and private institutions (Article 61(2)).
The founding of the Romanian Notarial Institute and the need for it
The need to create the Romanian Notarial Institute arose as the notarial profession modernised and aligned itself with European Union standards.
Before Romania joined the European Union, it became clear that a specialised institutional framework was needed to ensure:
- uniform training for public notaries;
- the development of coherent notarial practice nationally;
- the harmonisation of notarial legislation and practice with European law;
- the continuing development of the profession.
The development of the Romanian Notarial Institute
Steps towards founding the INR began in 2005, when the Council of the National Union of Public Notaries of Romania decided to set up the Romanian Notarial Institute Foundation, with the aim of organising professional training activities and producing studies on the development of the notarial profession.
The institutional framework was subsequently consolidated through legislative amendments, and in 2010 the Romanian Notarial Institute was founded as a body within the National Union of Public Notaries of Romania, with its own legal personality, organised in accordance with its statute.
The role and powers of the Romanian Notarial Institute
The Romanian Notarial Institute is the national professional training centre for public notaries and plays an essential role in ensuring the unity and quality of notarial practice.
Its main responsibilities include:
- organising the initial training of trainee notaries;
- organising theoretical and practical training programmes during the traineeship;
- organising the examinations and competitions of the notarial profession;
- continuing professional training for public notaries;
- producing studies, analyses and proposals on the development of the profession;
- contributing to the harmonisation of notarial legislation with European Union law;
- organising conferences, seminars, colloquia and academic events;
- cooperating with national and international institutions in the legal field;
- producing materials, publications and professional resources.
Professional training of trainee notaries
Entry into the profession of public notary usually begins with obtaining the status of trainee notary, following an examination or competition organised under the conditions laid down by law.
The Romanian Notarial Institute is responsible for organising:
- the examination or competition for admission as a trainee notary;
- the professional training programme for the duration of the traineeship.
After passing the examination, the trainee notary follows a two-year theoretical and practical training programme organised by the Institute, covering familiarisation with notarial procedures, civil and procedural legislation, the drafting of notarial documents and professional practice in notarial offices.
Examinations and competitions organised by the Romanian Notarial Institute
Under the conditions laid down by law, the Romanian Notarial Institute organises:
- the examination or competition for admission to the profession of trainee notary;
- the final examination for trainee notaries;
- the competition for relocating notarial offices;
- other forms of professional assessment established by the Council of the Union.
Through these mechanisms, the Institute helps ensure a uniform level of professional competence and the rigorous selection of those entering the profession.
Organisation of continuing professional training
Professional training does not end on entering the profession.
The Romanian Notarial Institute regularly organises development programmes for public notaries and the staff of notarial offices, adapted to legislative amendments and developments in case-law.
These programmes are run nationally, in cooperation with the Chambers of Public Notaries, and aim to maintain a high and uniform professional standard.