Notaries

What is a Notary?

Notaries form the third, and oldest, branch of the legal profession in England and Wales.

A Notary is a qualified lawyer, who has undertaken further specialist professional training.  Currently, this involves a two-year postgraduate course at University College London, with examinations in Roman Law (on which foreign civil law systems are based), Private International Law (also called Conflict of Laws), and Notarial Practice.

Notaries are appointed and regulated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, through the Faculty Office in London.

The status of a Notary is recognised throughout the world.

When might you need a Notary?

Anyone who has dealings abroad, whether as a private individual or in business, may need the services of a Notary.

Individuals may be looking to work or study abroad, buy or sell foreign property, claim overseas pensions, get married abroad, or give permission for their children to travel abroad without them.

Businesses may be wanting to export or import goods and services, set up a branch or new business abroad, or tender for contracts, or appoint local agents.

There are many different circumstances in which you might need a Notary – often at very short notice.

Please contact me if I can help you.

What does a Notary do?

Notaries in England and Wales deal with documents for use abroad, in foreign legal jurisdictions.

Some documents will only be accepted overseas if they bear the signature and seal of a Notary.

A Notary’s primary duty is to ensure that his/her Notarial Act may be relied upon by any anyone, anywhere in the world.

This is one of the ways in which a Notary is different to a solicitor: a solicitor’s primary duty is to his/her client.

Notaries in England and Wales may also conduct conveyancing and probate work, but most Notaries who do this work are also solicitors, and conduct this work as solicitors.

The role of a Notary in England and Wales is unique.  In other countries, Notaries only conduct domestic legal business.