1. In your legal system, are there acts which fall within the notion of an authentic instrument as defined in the European Union legislation?<br>[‘authentic instrument’ means a document which has been formally drawn up or registered as an authentic instrument in a Member State and the authenticity of which:<br>(i) relates to the signature and the content of the authentic instrument; and<br>(ii) has been established by a public authority or other authority empowered for that purpose by the Member State of origin.]

Yes.

If so, what are they?

All acts received and signed by a Notary in Malta are deemed authentic instruments, as they are Notarial Acts drawn up and/or received by notaries who are charged by law to receive acts inter vivos and wills, and to attribute public faith thereto, as defined in Article 2 of the Notarial Profession and Notarial Archives Act, Chapter 55 of the Laws of Malta.

Are these only notarial acts or also acts of other authorities?

All original acts issued by the Public Registry, the Land Registry, Court Registries, the Registrar of Companies, and other such and similar official registers are deemed authentic instruments as they are issued by a competent authority empowered for that purpose by the laws of Malta.