Notaries in Slovakia

In Slovakia, the notary (notár) is a public agent, appointed and empowered by the state to perform notarial activities as well as further activities in compliance with the Act No. 323/92 (Coll.), on Notaries and Notary Activities (Notary Rules) as amended. Notary activities constitute the exercise of public authority.

There are about 340 notaries in Slovakia, which are spread geographically throughout 51 cities on the slovakian territory.

The slovakian notary is appointed and withdrawn by the Justice Minister of the Slovak Republic, who also performs the state supervision of the activities of the Chamber of Notaries.

A notary constitutes a public executive body empowered by the state to draw up public deeds – i.e. deeds with a probative force higher than any other acts of private law. The notary conceives notarial deeds and performs notarial acts in an extent enabled by the Notary Rules and in compliance with the Code of Ethics of the notary and the internal standards of the Chamber of Notaries of Slovak Republic.

The notary helps prevent disputes and he/she is an impartial arbitrator of agreements concluded by the parties before him. A notary is also the legal advisor of the parties, a guaranty for the decency and certainty of contractual relations. The notary's activities constitute an administration of preventive justice on behalf of the state.

A notary is an advisor of the family, whom you can approach in property/legal issues, in settling the ownership of real property, with succession proceedings as well as in dispute prevention in property/ownership issues.

In succession proceeding, the slovakian notary is a court-appointed commissioner for the execution of legal succession acts. The succession proceeding is a judicial proceeding and the notary is appointed by the competent court based on the court's schedule, what is also the reason, why the heirs cannot affect which notary will deal with their succession.

In Slovakia, notaries are active in commercial law and one can appreciate his help with the foundation and operation of businesses - but also with their liquidation. He is a highly skilled expert consequently administrating law - but also the moral integrity, respecting the highest ethical standards in practical exercise.

The notary must also maintain secrecy on all facts he/she will learn in exercising his office.