The civil law notary in the Netherlands, not quite the same as the notary public in other countries, plays an important role in private and commercial life. The civil law notary sees to it that agreements made in writing between various parties can only be interpreted in one way. The civil law notary draws up a last will and testament or a partner agreement when two people decide to live together. Other situations also require a civil law notary, for example the transfer of property after it has been sold, or the founding of an association, firm or official foundation. In recent years it has mainly been inheritance law that has been the focus of so much attention in notarial law. The topic of discussion is whether a deceased person’s estate should always go to the remaining spouse or partner, or should always be directly inherited in part by the children as well. The Bachelor’s in Notarial Law teaches students how to use a set of abstract rules to cope with complicated issues of this kind. Students majoring in Notarial Law do their first year with students doing the other two law Bachelor’s programmes at the UvA, Tax Law and Law. The first-year curriculum includes courses like constitutional law, liability law, contract law, settling conflicts, and the history of European law. Ample attention is also devoted to writing skills, since it is important for civil law notaries to be able to express themselves proficiently in writing. After this general first year, it is possible to transfer to one of the other law Bachelor’s programmes without losing any time. Students who continue to major in Notarial Law take courses like civil procedure law, company and legal entity law, economics, personal, family and inheritance law, and tax law. During the study programme, students can get practical experience by giving the people of Amsterdam legal aid at a Community Legal Aid Centre, Legal Assistance Office for Immigrants, or Community Tax Consultancy Bureau. The Faculty of Law also has an extensive international education network so there is ample opportunity to do part of the study programme abroad. After completing a Bachelor’s programme in Notarial Law you will graduate as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

After a Master’s degree in Notarial Law, you can work as junior civil law notary at a firm of civil law notaries. After six years, you can become a civil law attorney. After your Master’s degree you can also take a course from the Law curriculum and be admitted to the study programme to become a judge or barrister. Potential employers for graduates a Master's degree in Notarial Law include firms of civil law notaries, mortgage banks or other banks, life insurance companies, tax consultancy offices, the state, large firms that own real estate. It is also possible to have a career conducting research in the field of notarial law.