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VII
Preface and Acknowledgments
The EU Succession Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on jurisdiction, ap-
plicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and acceptance and enforce-
ment of authentic instruments in matters of succession and on the creation of a Euro-
pean Certificate of Succession) is an important stage in the unification of European
Private International Law. The EU Succession Regulation has already as from 17 Au-
gust 2015 entered into force in all Member States (except Denmark, Ireland and the
United Kingdom) and is applied by judges, notaries and advising solicitors and tax
planning specialists.
International successions are a particularly complicated area and the Regulation
had to deal successfully with many national idiosyncrasies. Its modern approach is
also to be noted as it follows the modern – and in my view accurate – distinction be-
tween international jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of for-
eign judgments. Furthermore, the judicial assistance broadly conceived is well served
by the introduction of the European Certificate of Succession, which will practically
resolve many issues and avoid national disparities that might constitute an obstacle
in terms of time and expenses.
It still remains that this is a complex Regulation. Merely of course because of the
variety and the complexity of the problems which need to be regulated. The methodol-
ogy rich and the modernity of the techniques used made necessary a commentary by
private international law confirmed specialists. This is how the idea of a commentary
in English, too, was conceived (on top of its pre-existing Greek version), because of the
practical importance of the English language. The Commentary was initially published
in Greek in 2015. However, it has been substantially reworked for the English edition.
As Editor I am indebted to all contributors in that collective effort. Without their
collaboration the Successions Commentary could not have possibly been achieved.
Even if the present effort appears as a “Greek” contribution almost all of the authors,
as it can be seen in their brief cv, have profited from their European and international
law background which guarantee a European approach in the analysis of the Regula-
tion and a European contribution to its autonomous interpretation.
I am also grateful to the backing team and Ms M. Orfanou, who prepared the list of
abbreviations, the helpful indispensable index and the correction of linguistic niceties.
Their contribution rendered the present Commentary possible and many thanks are due.
Last but not least, the Commentary owes tremendously to our common publishers:
Nomiki Bibliothiki, who undertook the publishing initiative, and C.H.Beck – Hart – No-
mos, who have trusted us with the first common edition. We convey them our gratitude.
Prof. Haris P. Pamboukis
University of Athens, Faculty of Law