All notaries and deputy (civil law) notaries are automatically members of the Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries (KNB). They are organised into chapters. The KNB also has a board, a members’ council and a general meeting of members. The secretariat of the KNB assists the board in the exercise of its duties.
The board
The board is responsible for the management of the KNB and is also in charge of the KNB’s secretariat. The board must consist of at least five notaries or deputy (civil law) notaries who are appointed for a term of three years. They may be reappointed once. The chair is appointed for a term of two years.
Composition of the Board of the KNB
Barbara van Kampen, chair
notary in Oss
Ingeborg Braun
notary in Barneveld
Isabelle Cox
notary in Veenendaal
Ed Engelen
notary in Midden-Drenthe
Iris Hoogendam
deputy notary in Heemstede
Jan Janssens
notary in Groningen
Karen Verkerk
notary in Arnhem
Members’ council
The members’ council of the KNB consists of representatives of the chapters. The council determines the general policy of the KNB and oversees the policy of the board. The council meets at least five times a year. These meetings are also attended by the board of the KNB and representatives of the secretariat.
Chapters
All notaries and deputy (civil law) notaries of the KNB belong to a chapter. Chapters are administrative regions whose boundaries correspond to those of the districts of the district courts. Each chapter has a board consisting of at least three members. The chapters meet a few times a year to discuss chapter business and policy matters that arise at national level. Each chapter sends a maximum of two members to the members’ council, including in any event the chair. They are required to put the views of the chapter as far as possible. The more members a chapter has, the greater its representation in the members’ council.
General meeting of members
The general meeting of members meets at least once a year. The meeting in the spring is called to approve the annual financial statements of the KNB. The general meeting may be convened more often if the board considers this necessary or this is requested by the members. Each autumn the KNB organises an academic congress to discuss a preliminary opinion (discussion document) on a notarial subject. During the congress the participants discuss the preliminary opinion and how this could be translated into practice. Often, the outcome is that the KNB submits draft legislation or a draft amendment to legislation.
Working groups and committees
The KNB has numerous working groups and committees consisting of notaries and deputy (civil law) notaries. Examples are committees for IT, rules of professional practice and conduct, foreign business, deputy (civil law) notaries, quality assurance and preventative supervision. They meet regularly and submit opinions and recommendations to the board.
Secretariat
The secretariat of the KNB has a supporting role in preparing and implementing policy. The secretariat is divided into a number of departments and has about 55 staff. The director of the secretariat is responsible for managing the day-to-day business of the KNB and the board for the general management.