Becoming a notary and developing a career in the profession
a job with a high level of responsibility, requiring commitment and attention to detail
To become a notary, candidates must complete the candidate service and pass the examination for filling the office of a notary.
Steps to becoming a notary
Becoming a notary is a process consisting of several stages, which ensures that only the best-prepared lawyers are appointed to the office.
Competition for notary candidates
A competition is declared by the Chamber of Notaries. A notice of the competition is published in at least one national daily newspaper, as well as on the website and Facebook page of the Chamber of Notaries.
A person may become a notary candidate if they:
- have obtained at least a Master’s degree in law, or an equivalent education based on an accredited study programme;
- are proficient in spoken and written Estonian;
- are a national of a Member State of the European Union;
- are honest and of high moral character, and in respect of whom there are no known circumstances that would suggest they are unsuitable to work as a notary.
The competition consists of a written and an oral part. The written part comprises a test of legal knowledge, the drafting of a legal text and the completion of a questionnaire on personal characteristics. The legal knowledge test is used to assess the knowledge of persons who want to become a notary candidate in the areas of general civil law, the law of obligations, law of property, family law, law of succession and company law. Those who pass the written part will be invited to an interview.
Candidate service
The candidate service is a training course organised by the Chamber of Notaries, the purpose of which is to provide notary candidates with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and principles of professional ethics necessary for working as a notary.
The training of a notary candidate lasts two years, although the Chamber of Notaries may shorten this period.
A notary candidate must pass a preliminary examination six months after commencing their training. The preliminary examination is written and consists of a section on case assignments and a section on practical tasks.
The candidate service ends with an assessment.
Competition and examination for filling of office
The position of a notary is filled on the basis of a competition.
The competition takes place in the form of a written examination, consisting of a test in which candidates must solve case assignments.
Appointment of a notary
A notary is appointed by the Minister of Justice to a specific territorial jurisdiction. The territorial jurisdiction of a notary is a county.
A notary is appointed to office for life. After a notary reaches retirement age, the Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs may extend the notary’s term of office by up to 10 years.
Traineeship at a notary’s office
The Chamber of Notaries offers law students the opportunity to gain an insight into the day-to-day work of a notary through traineeship programmes.
The objective of the traineeship is to provide students with practical experience in a notary’s office and to introduce them to the role of a notary in society:
- the traineeship is intended for law students acquiring their BA or MA;
- the participants gain first-hand experience of preparing documents and communicating with clients;
- the traineeship is not part of a notary candidate’s duties, but is aimed at those interested in gaining a better understanding of the field.
If you would like to do a traineeship at a notary’s office, please contact a specific notary’s office directly or email the Chamber of Notaries at koda@notar.ee.
I gained a clearer understanding of just how complex and demanding a notary’s work is. I found it very inspiring to see how skilfully the notary translated complex contracts into ‘plain language’ and made them understandable to everyone. I believe that notaries play an important role in society in protecting people from fraud and from transactions entered into under pressure that they might later regret. A notary is a guardian of order and trust in society.
– Helen –
I’d always thought that the role of a notary was very necessary and important in society. My traineeship confirmed this and I gained a great deal of knowledge about the role of a notary and their duties.
– Brigitta –
I’d say my opinion improved. I realised just how much a notary actually helps people who have no experience of visiting a notary and no legal knowledge. I also realised that a notary must be patient and calm when carrying out their duties, no matter how difficult it may sometimes be.
– Gregor –
I now understand that a notary’s work is much harder and more important than I had previously imagined. A notary does not just draw up contracts, but also advises and assists people with important transactions and contracts. For example, I saw notaries help elderly people out of gift agreements with which they would have given away all their assets to someone several times, instead advising them to prepare a will. Property contracts highlighted just how important it is for the notary to ensure that both parties to the contract are informed of key matters, so that they are satisfied and can avoid legal problems. The same applied to marriage and registered partnership, where the notary explained to the couples the rights and obligations associated with both of them and helped them reach the solution that best suited them. The role of a notary is therefore extremely important in ensuring that, in today’s legal landscape, people receive sound legal advice that guarantees them as many rights as possible.
– Liisi –