Workshops
ELRN Workshops 2025
Trento, 11th & 12th of June
On June 11th and 12th, 2025, the second ELRN Workshop took place at the Palazzo della Provincia in Trento, hosted by the Servizio Libro Fondiario e Catasto – Provincia Autonoma di Trento.
The workshop opened with welcoming remarks by Mihai Taus, ELRA President, and Diego Castelli, General Chief of the Servizio Libro Fondiario e Catasto. Mr. Castelli then provided an overview of the Land Registry and its real basis, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Elena Prada, ELRA Treasurer.
The first day continued with Prof. Rusconi (Milan University), who examined land registry systems and the Italian transcription model. Francisco Javier Gimeno Chocarro, ELRA Secretary General and ELRN Coordinator, then led a practical session on the registration of cross-border divorce cases in land registries across Europe, followed by a Round Table moderated by Elena Prada. The morning closed with a presentation on the European Commission’s initiatives for the digitalisation of judicial cooperation in civil matters by Haldi Koit (DG JUST), followed by a lively debate.
The afternoon sessions focused on artificial intelligence and its practical impact on land registration. Jacques Vos (ELRA Board member) introduced the AI Working Group and also presented the use of videoconferencing for registry-related procedures. Dott. Eng. Mohammed Kussai Shahin (General Director, Trentino Digitale) then explored the role of AI technologies in modernising land registries, while Lorenzo Marcolla and Alessandro de Gaetano (Servizio Libro Fondiario e Catasto) shared their insights into the application of artificial intelligence in land registration processes.
Day 2 resumed with Mihai Taus’ opening remarks and a presentation by Māris Kumerdanks (Latvia) on the conclusions of the study into property rights of foreign nationals. Luisa Clode (ELRA former President) then shared findings from the ELRA questionnaire on voluntary measures for protecting vulnerable adults.
Elena Prada followed with an overview of personal data protection challenges for land registries. The morning continued with Judge Marta Rekawek-Pachwicewicz, Coordinator for International Cooperation at the District Court in Białystok, who reported on the European Commission Working Group on Succession. She was followed by Mihai Taus, ELRA President, who outlined the national requirements for the European Certificate of Succession (ECS) and highlighted ELRA’s ongoing study mapping national measures for the registration of the ECS across Member States. Judge Michele Cuccaro (Rovereto Court) rounded off the session by examining the role of usucapion across different jurisdictions.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Mihai Taus, thanking all speakers and participants for their active engagement and contributions to the success of this international exchange.
- Land Registry Systems and the Italian Transcription System by Prof. Rusconi
- What would a cross-border divorce be registered in the land register? by Francisco J. Gimeno
- Presentation of the Digitalisation of Judicial cooperation in civil matters by Haldi Koit
- Presentation of the AI Working group by Jacques Vos
- AI technologies for Land Registry by Dott. Eng. Mohammed Kussai Shahin
- Artificial Intelligence in Land Registration by Lorenzo Marcolla and Alessandro de Gaetano
- The use of videoconferencing for registry-related procedures by Jacques Vos
- Study on the Property of Foreigner’s Challenges: Summary of the CPs contributions and conclusions by Māris Kumerdanks
- Cross-Border Protection of Vulnerable Adults: Presentation of the results of the ELRA questionnaire on voluntary measures by Luisa Clode
- Personal Data Protection and Land Registration by Elena Prada
- Implementation of EU Legislation; study on Succession Regulation by Judge Dr. Marta Rekawek-Pachwicewicz and Mihai Taus.
- The role of usucapion in different systems by Judge Michele Cuccaro
Online, 12th of March
The first ELRN Workshop of the year was held online, bringing together 58 contact points and members from across Europe to discuss key topics in land registration.
The Workshop opened with a welcome session by ELRA President, Mihai Taus. The discussions then focused on the implementation of EU instruments, particularly the Succession Regulation (No 650/2012). Mihai Taus and Marta Rekawek (ELRA’s representative in the EC Working Group), presented the ELRA Report on the European Commission’s evaluation of national requirements and the reasons for rejecting applications for the European Certificate of Succession (ECS) registration. This was followed by Enrique Maside (European Affairs Director of CORPME), who provided further insights into procedural, notarial, and registration challenges associated with the Regulation.
The first part of the Workshop concluded with the presentation of the results of the practical case study led by Francisco J. Gimeno (ELRN Coordinator). The case study focused on what a cross-border mortgage would need to be registered in different land registries, sparking an engaging discussion among participants.
Following a short break, the second session opened with a discussion on the cross-border protection of vulnerable adults, presented by Geraldo Rocha Ribeiro (Member in Centro de Estudos Notariais e Registais and assistant of the Law Faculty of Coimbra University). He provided a presentation about the proof of the vulnerable adult’s will, wishes and preferences.
The final segment of the Workshop introduced a new area of study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on land registration. Manfred Buric (ELRA Board Member) examined the role of AI in land registries from a judicial perspective, while Jacques Vos (ELRA Board Member) explored whether the future of land administration is heading towards full automation.
The Workshop was moderated by Francisco J. Gimeno, ELRN Coordinator and Secretary General of ELRA. The event concluded with closing remarks from Mihai Taus, who thanked all attendees for their participation and valuable contributions.
ELRN Workshops 2024
Valletta, 20th & 21st of June
We are delighted to commemorate the successful conclusion of the second ELRN Workshop, held on June 20th and 21st in Valletta, Malta. Hosted by the Land Registration Agency of Malta.
The workshop commenced with an inaugural session featuring Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Minister for Lands and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, and ELRA President, Mihai Taus, who delivered insightful opening remarks.
Day 1 of the workshop saw in-depth sessions exploring various facets of land registries. Claude Sapiano, Land Registrar from Malta’s Land Registration Agency, provided a historical overview and outlined future initiatives. Francisco Javier Gimeno Chocarro, ELRA Secretary General, moderated a discussion on cross-border mortgage registrations, highlighting legal frameworks and practical complexities. Additional sessions, including a round table led by Lucia Filagova from Slovakia and findings shared by Teresa Tourinan from Spain, further enriched the dialogue on regulatory challenges affecting immovables.
The day culminated with Prof. Sjef van Erp’s master class on sustainability in property rights, examining the impact of digitalization and climate change.
Day 2 continued with Enrique Maside, European Affairs Director of Colegio de Registradores de España, presenting insights into the European e-Justice Strategy and the role of artificial intelligence in land registries. Michelle Piccinino, Executive Head from Land Registration Agency, alongside Prof. Saviour Formosa from the University of Malta, discussed the digitalization of property registration processes, followed by engaging sessions led by Judge Dr. Marta Rękawek-Pachwicewicz from Poland on succession law and insolvency. Māris Kumerdanks from Latvia presented challenges in foreign property ownership within the EU.
The workshop concluded with a closing ceremony led by Mihai Taus and Michelle Piccinino, thanking the attendance and the participation of the rest of the countries.
- Overview of the Land Registry system of Malta by Claude Sapiano.
- Case Study in the framework of the Free Circulation of public documents in EU. What would a cross-border mortgage need to be registered in your land register? by Francisco J. Gimeno.
- Status and functioning of the Land Registry by Lucia Filagová.
- Study on restrictions on the purchase of immovables by non-EU citizens by Mª Teresa Touriñán.
- What creates a sustainable property right in land: substantive law or registration law? by Prof. dr. J.H.M. (Sjef) van Erp.
- Presentation on the e-Justice Strategy 2024-2028: aspects related to the land registries by Enrique Maside.
- Digitalization of the Property Registration Processes in Malta by Michelle Piccinino and Prof. Saviour Formosa.
- The property of foreigners: challenges by Māris Kumerdanks.
- Implementation of EU instruments; study on Succession Regulation and Ongoing study on Insolvency Regulation: further digitalization by Judge Dr. Marta Rekawek-Pachwicewicz.
Online, 11th of March
The first Workshop was held online and it was proved to be a significant gathering, drawing in 41 Contact Points and members from 18 European countries.
The Workshop opened with a presentation by ELRA President, Mihai Taus. The day featured a diverse array of topics. Insightful discussions on the implementation of EU instruments, notably the Succession Regulation (No 650/2012), outlining its applicability to individuals who passed away on or after August 17, 2015, and its regulation of jurisdiction, applicable law, and the creation of the European Certificate of Succession (ECS) by Ana Luisa Freitas, a Land Registrar from Portugal.
This was followed by the presentation of a new topic by our Board member Jacques Vos, the possible effects of Rights for Nature in Land Registration.
The first part of this Workshop concluded with a practical study case led by our ELRA Coordinator, Francisco J. Gimeno, where a round table discussion took place in which each country intervened providing different information on what is needed to register the European foreign deed of plot purchase of land in each Land Registry.
Subsequently by a second part, which began with a depth examination of the Unique Parcel Identification Number, with a summary of the Contact Points’ contributions provided by Paulo Manuel Garces Vieira, a Contact Point from Instituto dos Registos (Portugal).
Discussions surrounding restrictions on the purchase of immovables by non-EU citizens, culminating in a summary of the last Contact Points’ contributions by Mª Teresa Touriñán, a Contact Point from CORPME (Spain).
Our ELRN Coordinator, Francisco J. Gimeno, who moderated the entire Workshop, ended with an overall assessment of the previous year through some general comments. We also informed about our new X account (@ElraSecretariat) and the Newsletter of the previous year.
Finally, the ceremony was closed by our ELRA President, Mihai Taus, thanking the attendance and the participation of the rest of the countries.
