For the president of the UIHJ, united we stand, divided we fall, and the law professions must meet. A meeting “at the top” was thus organized between the UIHJ and the International Union of Notaries (UINL), in Paris, on 4th January 2011, at the seat of the Superior Council of Notaries (CSN).
Also took part in this meeting Françoise Andrieux, general secretary of the UIHJ, Mathieu Chardon, 1st secretary of the UIHJ, and Christine Mertens, director of the CSN. Leo Netten congratulated Jean-Paul Decorps, who has just begun his functions as president of the UINL from 1st January 2011. Mr. Decorps is well acquainted with the occupation of judicial officer. Initially because of the very close statutes of the two professions, both public and ministerial officers in certain States like France. Then, because of the bonds of friendship between him and Jacques Isnard, past president of the UIHJ, with whom he went on several missions either within the framework of the UIHJ, or in that of the UINL. It is thus in ground of knowledge that the two men discussed during a particularly cordial appointment.
Leo Netten and Jean-Paul Decorps both agreed that it was convenient to carry out united actions at international level.
At the conclusion of the meeting, three proposals were adopted. Leo Netten informed Jean-Paul Decorps of the will of the UIHJ to found a World Day of Justice and to have it registered as a World Day of the United Nations. For that, it is necessary to federate this idea with the other legal and judicial professions like those of notary, lawyer, judge, clerks, etc. The president of the UINL supported this proposal at once. The two international unions organizing training seminars in Africa regularly (the Training Unit of African judicial officers for the UIHJ and the University of the African Notaries for the UINL), a common conference on African ground would constitute an excellent working base. Lastly, Jean-Paul Decorps proposed to Leo Netten to come to present the UIHJ and its policy at the time of a forthcoming meeting of the UINL which will be held in Warsaw (Poland) in May 2011. Proposal accepted at once by the president of the UIHJ, who immediately offered in return a floor to his counterpart at the time of a forthcoming event of the UIHJ.
About the International Union of Notaries
The International Union of Notaries is a non-governmental organisation established to promote, co-ordinate and develop the duties and activities of Notaries throughout the world and ensure the standing and independence necessary for optimum service to individuals and society through close collaboration between Chambers of Notaries.
The foundation of the Union
The International Union of Notaries was founded in 1948 in Buenos Aires by the representatives of the Chambers of Notaries of the following nineteen countries: Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Switzerland and Uruguay. The original statutes, approved in the form of a “Charter” in October 1948 were officially adopted by the Congress held in Madrid on 21st October 1950.
The aims of the Union are
- The promotion and application of the fundamental principles of the Latin-type notarial system, and principles of notarial ethics, as approved by the General Meeting of Member Chambers of Notaries;
- Representation of Chambers of Notaries before international organisations;
- Collaboration with and participation in activities of international organisations;
- Collaboration with national organizations, more particularly with notarial organizations;
- The study of law in the field of notarial practice and collaboration in matters relating to its development, in accordance with the fundamental principles of Latin-type Notaries;
- The study and systematic compilation of legislation relating to Notaries;
- The promotion of international congresses and support for professional meetings which go beyond purely national interests;
- Included amongst the objectives of the Union is the establishment of relationships with:
- developing Chambers of Notaries and with Notaries in countries which have no notarial organisation to assist their development and organisation with a view to their joining the Union;
- notarial organisations within legal systems which are eligible to join the notarial system;
- organisations which are not part of the notarial system in order to collaborate with them in areas of common interest.
Contributing to the development of law in States
Through its innumerable activities, the Union has earned itself the reputation of privileged interlocutor of Governments and International Organisations for matters relating to notaries.
To this regard, by drawing inspiration from its Fundamental Principles, the Union draws up and submits concrete proposals to national Chambers of Notaries, national legislators and international and supranational organisations.
The Union is present in
- international organisations, such as the U.N., the Economic and Social Council of which has conferred to UINL the “special” category consultative status. This status, defined under article 71 of the Charter of the United Nations and by resolution 1996/31, allows UINL to contribute to the working programmes and objectives of the United Nations, by acting as a technical expert, adviser and consultant to governments, to the Secretariat General, the High Commission for Human Rights and within its specialised agencies. As far as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is concerned, the Union follows its activities to the extent to which it is affected by them;
- international intergovernmental organisations, such as the Council of Europe, the International Institute for the unification of private law (UNIDROIT) and The Hague Conference on private international law;
- in supranational and regional organisations, such as
- the European Union (EU) and its bodies, such as the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Communities;
- the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Andine Community, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA),
- in various international non-governmental organisations, such as the International Union of Lawyers (Union internationale des avocats UIA), the International Union of Judges (UIM), the International Law Association (ILA), the International Bar Association (IBA).
