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Conference held during the German Week in St. Petersburg

Published: April 30, 2021
During the conference (photo: Kerstin Schlieper)
During the conference (photo: Kerstin Schlieper)
Russian Federation

On 23 April 2021, the German-Russian conference on the "Structure of the Notarial Profession and its Significance for a Legally Secure Business Cycle" took place as part of the German Week in St. Petersburg. This event was supported by IRZ.

The main organisers on the German side were the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in St. Petersburg, the Federal State of Saxony, represented by the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and Democracy, and the Chamber of Notaries in Saxony. The Russian representatives at the event were the Law Academy of the Ministry of Justice for the Russian Federation, the Head Office of the Russian Ministry of Justice in St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Chamber of Notaries.

The following took part in the conference:

  • Representatives of the notary's office of St. Petersburg and Moscow,
  • German and Russian lawyers and notaries, and
  • Students from 16 branches of the Law Academy of the Ministry of Justice for the Russian Federation.

The participants were welcomed by the Consul of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in St. Petersburg, Gunnar Christiansen, the Head of Department at the Russian Ministry of Justice for St. Petersburg, Sergej Feoktistov, and the President of the Saxon Chamber of Notaries, Dr Karsten Schwipps.
Professor Marina Ilyushina, Head of the Department of Civil and Corporate Law of the All-Russian State University of Justice (Law Academy of the Ministry of Justice) moderated the conference. The participants were given presentations on the following topics:

  • The development of notary services in Germany and Russia
  • The fundamental importance of the notary's office
  • The role of the notary's office in the formation of a company in Germany using the example of the formation of a GmbH (limited liability company)
  • The role of the notary's office in the establishment and activities of a Russian company, using the example of a Russian limited liability company
  • The role of the notary's office in the trading in shares of a limited liability company
  • The notary's office in the future
  • The notary's office during a pandemic – challenges and opportunities

Almost all the German and Russian speakers addressed the current situation and the digitalisation of more and more areas of life and work, which also affects the work of notaries. Despite the development of digital technologies, however, notaries are still specialists who are tasked with guaranteeing the legality and security of transactions. The most important principles in their work continue to be impartiality, objectivity, legitimacy and the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.

The speakers also addressed the fact that restrictions relating to the pandemic would have a negative impact on the work of notaries, but at the same time advance the development of electronic notarial services.

The event took place in a pleasant atmosphere. The participants had plenty of opportunities to discuss their expert knowledge and opinions. This conference during the German Week in St. Petersburg was a good opportunity to get to know each other better and to explore perspectives for cooperation.