Delegates from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia gathered on 04 September in Palanga for the 30th Meeting of the Baltic Councils of Notaries, a traditional forum where self-governing bodies share profession-specific news and discuss the future of the notariat in a rapidly developing legal and technological environment, according to official reports.
Anniversary Greetings and Academic Insights in Palanga
The assembled delegations received opening congratulations from the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania, Rita Tamašunienė, and the Chairman of the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Julius Sabatauskas. Following the addresses, Mykolas Katkus, founder of UAB Repsense and a communication strategist, shared insights into the image of the notary profession on social networks. Academician Prof. Dr. Vytautas Nekrošius, President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, discussed the historical path and prospects of the Latin notariat. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Vigita Vėbraitė, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Vilnius University, presented strategies for encouraging younger lawyers to enter the profession.
Although each country’s legal system and the competencies of notaries differ, digitalisation, cybersecurity, customer service quality, service availability, profession attractiveness, and the expansion of assigned functions increasingly dominate their shared agenda.
Did You Know? The annual meeting of the Baltic Chambers of Notaries is a long-established tradition that rotates among the three nations, with Latvia hosting last year’s event and Estonia scheduled to host next year’s gathering.
Lithuanian Notariat Focuses on Court Workload and Divorces
President of the Lithuanian Chamber of Notaries Marius Stračkaitis addressed the conference regarding shared regional challenges. “We must ensure that technological progress not only speeds up the work of notaries, but also reinforces legal security, customer trust, and service accessibility,” Stračkaitis stated. He emphasized that certain non-contentious functions can be handled more effectively in notary offices rather than courts.
Following the implementation of notarial divorces for spouses without minor children, Lithuania is now considering a potential expansion to allow notarial divorces for couples with minor children, a recommendation supported by legal scholars from the JuWiLi II project “Justice Without Litigation.” Stračkaitis also proposed discussing the waiver of a unique condition in Lithuanian law that currently requires couples divorcing via a notary to have lived apart for over a year without running a joint household. In 2025, Lithuanian notaries approved 1,179 mutual consent divorce contracts, while courts resolved 6,180 similar cases, indicating that removing these conditions could significantly reduce court workloads.
Estonian Notariat Prioritizes Fraud Prevention and Digital Archiving
Merle Saar-Johanson, President of the Estonian Chamber of Notaries, welcomed participants to the milestone gathering and praised the enduring partnership between the Baltic states. “Although we gather annually, and sometimes it may appear that twelve months is a too short time for major changes to occur, I still take away from each meeting of the Baltic notaries the same feeling that the notaries of all our countries have done something exceptional that others can learn from,” Saar-Johanson stated.
Looking ahead, the Estonian notariat has dedicated 2026 to four core directions: updating notary fees, improving customer experience, preventing fraud and money laundering, and bolstering cybersecurity. To combat fraud, the Estonian Chamber of Notaries is actively cooperating with the police and banking sector to enhance recognition capabilities. Furthermore, since electronic copies of certified documents have been stored in the e-Notary system since 2009, the chamber is analyzing the creation of a digital archive to gradually replace paper archiving.
Latvian Notariat Expands Functions and Adjusts Service Fees
The Latvian notariat focused its agenda on expanding functions, financial sustainability, and operational continuity. In April, Latvia increased notary fees to combat rising consumer prices and higher ICT maintenance costs, marking the first review for several fees in a decade. New rates were also introduced for succession proceeding duties.
A significant structural shift occurred on 1 March, when Latvia altered divorce procedures for parents with minor children. Child custody, contact rights, and maintenance agreements must now take the form of notarial deeds, allowing out-of-court enforcement if terms are breached. Aigars Kaupe, President of the Latvian Council of Sworn Notaries, noted that this reform aligns with JuWiLi II recommendations. Kaupe added that the Latvian notariat is exploring additional responsibilities at the request of the Ministry of Justice, including Land Registry functions and tasks currently managed by guardianship institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the 30th Meeting of the Baltic Councils of Notaries held?
The meeting took place in Palanga on 04 September.
What are the four main directions set by the Estonian notariat for 2026?
The Estonian notariat is focusing on updating notary fees, improving customer experience, preventing fraud and money laundering, and bolstering cybersecurity.
What changes were made to divorce procedures involving minor children in Latvia?
As of 1 March, agreements regarding child custody, contact rights, and maintenance for spouses with minor children must be concluded as notarial deeds, permitting out-of-court enforcement.
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