Master of Laws in Notarial Law

The notary public is a legal expert who holds a public office and is appointed by the King. As such, s/he is authorized to draw up and store authentic deeds, and to deliver enforceable issues, copies and extracts. The programme can also be an interesting asset for legal experts who do not wish to enter into the notarial profession.

Subsequent Master's Programme
1 year 60 credits
Faculty of Law and Criminology
Dutch
About the programme
Programme summary
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After graduation

What

The notary public is a legal expert who holds a public office and is appointed by the King. As such, s/he is authorized to draw up and store authentic deeds, and to deliver enforceable issues, copies and extracts. This Master’s programme trains legal experts for the position of notarial legal expert, that of candidate-notary public, and notary public. We cover the branches of the law relevant to the notarial profession thoroughly, and offer the necessary preparatory knowledge for the practice of law in that same profession. The above-mentioned thorough study of specific legal branches makes the programme an interesting asset for legal experts who do not wish to enter into the notarial profession, too.

Structure

The curriculum emphasizes thorough academic knowledge of all the branches of law relevant to the notarial profession. Classes are concentrated on three weekdays, allowing you to gain additional practical experience on a voluntary basis. You can combine the programme with a part-time job or work placement (though there is no official work placement in the programme). You can also stagger the programme across several years.

Labour Market

Those who want to qualify as a notary public or recognized candidate-notary public have to take on a three-year work placement (mandatory by law) with a recognized notary public. Remuneration during work placement is negotiated between the student and the hosting notary public. After completing the work placement, students can obtain the title of candidate-notary public by participating in a comparative exam and by appointment by the King. The comparative exam is organized by the Notarial Nomination Committee. It consists of a written and oral part. The contents of the written and oral part is determined by the Nomination Committee, approved by Ministerial Decree of the Minister of Justice and published in the Belgian Government Gazette. The law does not lay down a maximum number of participations. A candidate-notary public becomes a fully qualified notary public by royal appointment, or by associating themselves with another notary public. In some instances, they can replace a notary public. The Notarial Law programme can also be an interesting preparation for a career in the banking or insurance sector, the real estate sector or public service. The additional legal knowledge and skills you acquire in the programme are highly appreciated in those sectors.