The meaning of the phrase “Protecting the interests of related parties” in depositing certificates with notaries

Notaries are following the legislation and the Code of Ethics. One of these obligations is to guard the interests of the relevant parties, which may include the deposit of certificates. However, depositing certificates is not explicitly part of the notary duties but rather a means of protecting the interests of the concerned parties. Consequently, there is a normative ambiguity in Article 16 Paragraph 1 letter h of the Notary Law. The study taked a normative legal approach, using primary, secondary and tertiary legal materials to analyse this inconsistency. The study aimed to provide legal certainty regarding the notary obligation in depositing certificates. The findings indicated that, at present, notaries do not have legal protection when accepting the deposit of ownership certificates as a means of safeguarding the interests of the related parties. According to Gustav Radbruchʼs theory, this causes legal uncertainty, which necessitates legal reform to ensure protection for notaries and to clarify each of their obligations. The absence of clear legal provisions creates a risk for notaries, as they may face legal consequences despite acting in good faith to protect the interests of the involved parties. Furthermore, this ambiguity can cause inconsistent interpretations of notarial duties, affecting both notaries and the parties relying on their services. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce legal reforms that provide explicit regulations regarding the deposit of certificates by notaries. Such reforms would establish a clear framework for notaries to operate within, ensuring their protection while maintaining their professional responsibilities. A more comprehensive legal framework would enhance legal certainty and ensure that notaries can fulfil their duties without fear of legal repercussions, ultimately reinforcing the integrity of the notarial profession