1. CNUE Reg. successions 24 03 2014 Regulation 650/2012: the European Certificate of Succession Patrick Wautelet

2. CNUE Reg. successions 24 03 2014 I. Concept Art. 62-73 Regulation: introduction of a ‘European Certificate of Succession' Purpose? To make it possible for the beneficiaries of the succession (heirs/legatees) and executors/administrators to easily prove their capacity to inherit and assert their rights (Art. 63)

3. CNUE Reg. successions 24 03 2014 II. A modest certificate ECS: an optional instrument Parties concerned free to use the instruments laid down by national law – e.g.: – France: acte de notoriété (attested affidavit) (Art. 730-1 Civil Code) – Belgium: certificat/acte d’hérédité (certificate/deed of inheritance) (Art. 1240a Civil Code) – Germany: Erbschein (§ 2353 BGB) – The Netherlands: verklaring van erfrecht (Art. 4-188 NBW)

4. CNUE Reg. successions 24 03 2014 III. A certificate issued at the end of a meticulous procedure Who? – Rules of jurisdiction (Art. 4,7, 10 and 11) – Which authorities? How?: verification of the information and declarations and documents + enquiries + any further evidence (Art. 66) What? ECS contains – Information (names, dates, etc.) – Law applicable to succession (and marriage contract...)

5. CNUE Reg. successions 24 03 2014 IV. A certificate with important pan- European effects Triple effects (Art. 69) – 1) Instrument establishing proof – matters of succession – 2) Protection of third parties having acted on the basis of the information contained in the certificate – 3 Certificate “valid document for the recording of succession property in the relevant land register”