Press Release: Advocate General’s Opinion in Cases C-47/08 Commission v Belgium; C-50/08 Commission v France; C-51/08 Commission v Luxembourg; C-53/08 Commission v Austria; C-54/08 Commission v Germany; C-61/08 Commission v Greece and C-52/08 Commission v Portugal

In the view of Advocate General Cruz Villalón, in limiting access to the profession of notary to their nationals, six Member States have failed to fulfil their obligations under the Treaty. The fact that the profession of notary is connected with the exercise of official authority cannot provide justification for direct discrimination on grounds of nationality.