On 15 and 16 May 2025, the European Notarial Network (ENN), in close cooperation with the Polish Notariat and with the support of the European Union, welcomed notaries from across the EU to a two-day event in Warsaw focused on key developments in non-judicial procedures and cross-border notarial cooperation.

These meetings provided a platform to reflect on evolving national practices, explore innovative roles for notaries in out-of-court proceedings, and shape the strategic direction of the ENN for the years ahead.

Seminar on Non-Judicial Divorce in Europe – 15 May

Held under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the first day was dedicated to a European seminar exploring the role of notaries in non-judicial divorce procedures.

Speakers from nine EU Member States (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain) presented national experiences and legal frameworks that enable or envisage notarial involvement in consensual divorce proceedings without judicial intervention. The discussions underlined how a greater role for notaries can ease the burden on courts while offering citizens simpler and faster access to legal solutions.

The full recording of the seminar (in English) is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzJXaC7Uxo

ENN Interlocutors’ Meeting – 16 May

The second day was dedicated to the ENN Interlocutors’ Meeting. Interlocutors from across the EU gathered to assess the state of play in their respective countries, share national legal updates, and contribute to the ENN’s strategic planning for the 2026–2028 period.

Discussions focused on:

• Recent national legislative developments relevant to the notarial profession;
• Progress on the ENN 2025 work programme;
• The draft proposal for the ENN’s 2026–2028 strategic project, including planned IT upgrades, communication strategy renewal, and the exploration of AI-supported tools to improve access to cross-border legal information.

The meeting provided an opportunity for open exchange and reaffirmed the commitment of the ENN interlocutors to strengthening European notarial cooperation and promoting citizen-friendly legal services in the digital age.

New Cross-Border Succession Handbook Now Available Online – Free Access via the ENN Platform

In an era marked by increasing mobility across Europe, navigating international inheritance matters can be complex. To support legal practitioners and notaries handling cross-border successions, a new edition of the European Succession Regulation (ESR) Handbook is now available online. The handbook is freely accessible on the European Notarial Network (ENN) platform via the following link:
👉 https://www.enn-rne.eu/observer_public/eu/102

Developed under the European Notarial Network (ENN), co-funded by the European Union and coordinated by the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE), the Handbook offers practical, user-friendly guidance on applying EU Regulation 650/2012, which governs cross-border inheritance within the EU.

This updated edition builds on a first version published shortly after the Regulation came into force and integrates over a decade of practical experience and insights from notaries across Europe. It addresses key aspects such as applicable law, jurisdiction, habitual residence, wills, authentic instruments, and the European Certificate of Succession (ECS). Practical examples and references to case law from the Court of Justice of the EU enhance its usability for professionals.

The Handbook is the result of a collaborative effort by notaries,  legal experts and ENN interlocutors from several EU Member States.

To ensure broad accessibility, translations into 19 EU languages are currently underway and will be uploaded progressively on the same platform.

The Handbook is a valuable tool for any practitioner dealing with international successions and contributes to a more harmonized and effective application of EU inheritance law.

NON-JUDICIAL DIVORCES IN EUROPE – AN OVERVIEW OF SELECTED REGULATIONS

The European Notarial Network (ENN), in cooperation with the Polish Notariat and under the patronage of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, is organising a transnational seminar on Non-Judicial Divorces in Europe – An Overview of Selected Regulations, taking place on 15 May 2025 in Warsaw and online.

The event will explore how different European countries handle divorce procedures outside the judicial system, with a particular focus on the role of notaries. Notaries and legal experts from across Europe will present national approaches, discuss legal frameworks, and share practical experiences.

The seminar will be held at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Grzybowska 24, Warsaw, and will also be accessible remotely for registered participants.

Participation—both in person and online—is free of charge for registered participants. Those wishing to attend online are kindly asked to indicate this in the registration form in order to receive the videoconference access details.

The draft programme is available here, and registration can be completed here.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with cross-border legal professionals and reflect on the evolving function of notaries in the field of family law.