Bar Association seeks referendum on notaries

BELGRADE - The Bar Association of Serbia (AKS) has decided to file a motion for a referendum on the Law on Public Notaries and issues that have spurred a two-month strike of lawyers.

The AKS announced in a statement on Wednesday that it will also file a lawsuit to annul the registration of the Lawyers' Society of Serbia, a new association of lawyers registered on November 17.

"The AKS Board of Directors has decided to initiate a referendum procedure and a popular initiative regarding the Law on Public Notaries and the set of accompanying regulations. Based on this decision, the AKS will refer to the citizens of the Republic of Serbia to obtain their opinion on all issues that are the reason for the protest of Serbian lawyers," the statement said.

Belgrade lawyers have been on strike since September 10, while their colleagues across Serbia joined them on September 17.

The lawyers seek amendments to the Law on Public Notaries and accompanying laws, which they see as unconstitutional.

Their second request is related to regulating lump sum taxation and the third is the dismissal of Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic.

The AKS said in the statement that it will stage an international round table on November 25 to discuss the problems affecting the legal profession and the comparative legal relationship between the respective professions of lawyers and public notaries with respect to the notariat.

Photo Tanjug, O. Toskic (illustration, archive)