Chinese Notarization System to Face Great ChangesChina's Ministry of Justice is considering transforming notary firms from administrative organs into public service agencies.A national notarial reform work conference held in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province, revealed that notary offices will be approved by provincial Justice offices or above in accordance with local economic development and real need instead of administrative divisions. The ministry also plans to recruit notaries from the public through examinations. Those who pass standard test will be granted the notary certificate after undergoing one-year training. Notary office will bear limited liability for the economic losses for the clients in the limit of the office assets. Notary work started in China in 1946, underwent a boom in the 1950s, was dismantled during the "Cultural Revolution" (1966-76) and rehabilitated in 1979. Notary offices provide a variety of civil and economic services including adoption, marriage, inheritance, land contract, real estate and public bidding. As a major constituent of China's legal system, notary work is playing an increasingly important role in promoting social stability and economic development. |
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