The content, effects and validity of the European Certificate of Succession

Abstract

This professional report examines the provisions of Regulation 650/2012 on cross-border successions within the European Union, particularly those dealing with the European Certificate of Succession. It analyses the content and effects of such Certificate together with its purpose and application process, and expounds on the definition of ‘court’ and ‘competent authority’ as referred to in the abovementioned Regulation. This report explores the close link between the content and effects of the European Certificate of Succession in relation to the purpose for which such Certificate is issued. Through the findings emanating from this report, a comprehensible understanding of the aim of this Certificate will be drawn, meaning that this report will highlight that the main scope of the European Certificate of Succession is to verify a person’s entitlement to succession in other Member States and is thus not intended to operate in substitution of internal documents used to prove succession. It will also explore and explain why the European Certificate of Succession cannot constitute a title for entries in public registers of Member States.