I like to sit at the table with people

The Royal Dutch Association of Civil-Law Notaries (KNB) is constantly welcoming new members. Who are these people who choose a career in notarial practice? Why have they chosen this profession, and what are their expectations? Each month, we spotlight a brand-new candidate civil-law notary. This time: Selin Ölçer.

During her master's degree, Selin Ölçer interned at PlasBossinade Notarissen. She then stayed on as a working student for two days a week. This period gave her a good impression of the firm. She now works there full-time as a junior civil-law notary.

How did you get into the notary profession?
From a young age, I always wanted an office job. My mother worked in healthcare and always had irregular shifts. I wanted to work during the day, preferably in the same place. I started studying law because it's about regulating society and creating clarity for everyone. The feeling of organizing, keeping things on track, and weighing the right rules appealed to me. I also wanted to interact with people. That's why I chose notarial law.

How do you like working as a notary?
I work at two different locations, in Haren and Groningen. Haren is a village office with clients who have been coming there their whole lives. I used to live there, so I know a lot of people. I get to attend meetings and hear all sorts of great stories. At the Groningen office, the people and the cases are diverse. The variety makes the work fun and interesting.

Does the study tie in well with the work?
It's completely different from what I thought it would be. The difference from studying is sometimes incomprehensible. For example, I only learned what a certificate of inheritance is when I was an intern. Now at PlasBossinade, I also handle the estate settlement. I had no idea we did that at the notary's office. We never talked about it during my studies, which is quite remarkable. During your studies, you learn a subject, get a grade, let it go, and move on to the next subject. But I really need everything I learn on the job.

Is there anything else you didn't expect?
I didn't think I'd rely on theory much. When a colleague asked a question, I thought: it's probably been done before, so the answer must be out there somewhere. But I've noticed that's not always the case. For example, when calculating fairly specific costs into a legitimate portion. But with proper consultation and theory, you do arrive at an answer. And I use that knowledge every day.

What does it take to be a good notary?
You really have to enjoy interacting with people. Especially in a village, it's crucial to maintain good contact with clients. It's also important to continue developing your skills. The law is evolving, and you have to keep up with it and not assume you know enough. And to ultimately become a notary, you need an entrepreneurial spirit. You have to have a flair for that.

How can the notary profession become more attractive?
We can better present our profession, for example, with living wills. Currently, some companies are taking advantage of this. We can invest more ourselves to reduce the distance between people and notaries. For example, by writing letters to clients in plain language so they understand what's being discussed.