The Notarial System of the Kádár-Consolidation Era (1962–1988)

Abstract

The consolidation of the justice system only occurred after the period of retaliation was over following 1962. The most important competence of the state notaries at the time was administering succession matters. The standard of living gradually increased from the beginning of the sixties, which meant a heavier workload for the notaries as the effect of such increase in the living standard resulted in more probate cases. On the basis of the available archival resources, the author analysed the not-yet-studied era of the state notarial institution.
The Ministry of Justice tried to promote changes regarding the notaries by re-regulating their status. The last socialist regulation of notaries having entered into effect in 1984 already diverged from the soviet notarial model to a considerable extent taking into consideration the particular Hungarian characteristics, but still – under the auspices of the state – tried to preserve the position of the state-employed notaries, whilst, within the socialist economy, elements of the secondary economy were emerging to an increasing extent (agricultural entrepreneurial activities, basic partnerships). However, the legal regulation could not resolve the secondary nature of the notarial profession within the administration of justice.