Pravni Zapisi (Jan 2015)
Electronic Apostille in the legal system of the Republic of Serbia
Abstract
The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents (the Apostille Convention) is the most widely accepted and applied of all the conventions adopted under the auspices of the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The Apostille Convention was originally drafted having regard only to the paper environment, so with the development of modern information technologies it was necessary to adapt its application to these new circumstances. For this reason, the Pilot Program Electronic Apostille (e-APP) was launched in 2006. On the one hand, this program aims at facilitating the creation of electronic registers, containing data on issued Apostilles (the 'e-Register component'), while on the other hand it enables the issuance of electronic Apostilles (the 'e-Apostille component'). To date, 23 Contracting States have implemented one or both of the components of the e-APP. Having in mind the positive impact of the e-APP on the overall operation of the Apostille Convention, this paper analyses positive legislation and possibilities for introducing this program into the legal system of the Republic of Serbia. The situation differs whether we examine the e-Register or the e-Apostille component. As regards the implementation of the e-Apostille component, the situation is more complex since it is necessary not only to change the existing legislation but also to enhance the application of information technologies in the operation of state administration as well as the overall development of the information society. Contrary to that, introducing the e-Register component is a very simple process and requires only certain technical conditions. Bearing in mind the constant increase in the number of Contracting States which implemented this component of the Program, the Republic of Serbia should keep pace with these developments and improve the application of the Apostille Convention at the earliest possible time.
