Does authenticity still have a role to play in our modern day society? Yes is the answer by the think tank on authentic documents, presided by Laurent Aynès, in its report issued to the Superior Council of Notary Publics and published on 25 September 2013. Having first appeared in the 11th Century, authentic deeds form the hear of preventive justice in countries of civil law where the intervention of a public officer guarantees, approves and retains such a deed.
Today still, authentic deeds are a national mechanism but are enforceable internationally. It is also a question, as has been the case for many years, of creating an authentic deed which is harmonised in line with common criteria for all EU Member States. Finally, by relying on new information and communication technologies (NICT), the service offered by public officers can improve quality, save time, space and even increase security.
In extension of the Darrois report, the report by the commission once more highlights the impossibility of merging together legal professions, in particular those of lawyers and notary publics, due to the usefulness of authentic deeds.