The civil law notary is independent; with regard to his or her clients, but also in relation to public administrations. To safeguard that independence, the civil law notary is subject to a fixed scale of fees, determined by law, from which the notary may not depart.
The civil law notary must remain impartial: he informs and advises all parties to the act, and does not privilege one above the other; even if appointed by one of the parties only, the civil law notary must remain completely neutral.
The civil law notary is bound by professional secrecy; civil law notaries may not reveal to third parties what was confided to them.
