The Notary Chamber of Georgia responds to Nika Rurua

The Notary Chamber of Georgia is concerned about the offensive remarks to the Notary Corps made by the member of “National Movement” Mr. Nika Rurua. The Member of Parliament referred the notary system as “Notary Office” where the government’s willingness is met without appeal. Each notary act approved by a notary is based on National and International Laws and the free will of the people who apply to the Notary to sign the Act. The Notary Chamber of Georgia and Georgian Notaries call the politicians to refrain from the insulting statements.

It should be noted that one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice for the public is to improve the reputation of notary profession. By the initiative of the Minister of Justice, the number of reforms has been carried out in this direction. In 2012-2016, the large-scale process to review the legality of the notary activities was carried out by the Ministry of Justice. The results of the activities of those notaries who were not examined for 10-15 years were revised. As a result of such examination, many notaries eliminated the deficiencies in their activities. The fallacious time when the citizens have been forced to alienate their property against their will that was notarized at midnight is left in the past. In addition, the Ministry of Justice actively took measures to depoliticise the notariat and their activities from the end of 2012. The new service - alternative and modern way of dispute resolution “Notary Mediation” launched in 2013.

It should be noted that this service became one of the leading component of land registration reform in 2016. Constantly updated electronic database for persons supported by the Court was established in 2013; The service “Online Consultation with a Notary” was introduced. From 2014, the citizens can carry out all necessary transactions in the notary office and register the real estate in the Public Registry; the service “Free Phone Legal Advice from a Notary” was introduced; the service standards of the citizens were developed; the electronic register of terrorists and persons supporting terrorism was created; the rebranding of Notary Chamber was implemented, an advertising campaign: “I Trust the Notary” was launched.  The first electronic voting for a candidate of the chairmanship of the Chamber was held.