The International Union of Notaries (UINL) is a non-governmental organisation founded in 1948 to promote, co-ordinate and develop the duties and activities of Notaries throughout the world and ensure the standing and independence necessary for optimum service to individuals and society through close collaboration between Chambers of Notaries.
UINL seeks to promote study and standardization of notarial legislation; secure progress, stability and advancement of the Latin notarial system; contribute experience and advice to those practising law in the sphere of individual rights, whether commercial, family, inheritance or property matters; establish offices for international notarial exchange.
Through its innumerable activities, the Union has earned itself the reputation of privileged interlocutor of Governments and International Organisations for matters relating to notaries.
To this regard, by drawing inspiration from its Fundamental Principles, the Union draws up and submits concrete proposals to national Chambers of Notaries, national legislators and international and supranational organisations.
The Union is present in
- international organisations, such as the U.N., the Economic and Social Council of which has conferred to UINL the “special” category consultative status.
- international intergovernmental organisations, such as the Council of Europe, the International Institute for the unification of private law (UNIDROIT) and The Hague Conference on private international law;
- in supranational and regional organisations, such as
– the European Union (EU) and its bodies, such as the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Communities;
– the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Mercado Común del Sur (MERCOSUR), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Andine Community, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in various international non-governmental organisations, such as the International Union of Lawyers (Union internationale des avocats UIA), the International Union of Judges (UIM), the International Law Association (ILA), the International Bar Association (IBA).