Notary services articles

Budget Summary 2010 | How it will affect your business
24 June 2010

Budget Summary 2010 | For business clients
26 March 2010

Budget 2009 summary for corporate clients
22 April 2009

The work of a notary public
21 April 2009

In business overseas? Notary Public requirements
1 December 2006

The Notary Public: How can we help?

03 July 2007



Historically, Notaries form the oldest segment of the legal profession, dating back to Imperial Rome. Notaries are still appointed by ecclesiastical authority (the Archbishop of Canterbury issues each Notary with his official authority called a "Faculty"). However, regulation of Notaries is in the hands of a Judge in the High Court.

Officially, the Notary is an officer of the law whose public office and duty it is to draw, attest or certify documents under his signature and official seal in such a manner as to render them acceptable as proof of the matters attested, to the judicial or other public authorities in the country where they are to be used. The Notary is a professional and independent lawyer entitled to carry out a wide range of commercial administration work where foreign element is involved.

You may find that you need a Notary on several occasions during your life, for example:

• If you decide to buy or sell a property abroad.

• If you want official translations or certified copies for use abroad.

• If you want to get married abroad.

• If you want to emigrate, or adopt a foreign child, or invite or "sponsor" a visitor to the UK.

• If you are a company wanting to set up a business abroad, or employ others to represent you abroad (including litigation) or to protect, assign or defend patents and trade marks.

The most common document encountered by the Notary is the Power of Attorney. Different countries have different requirements as to format, certification and legalisation ("Legalisation" is the process involving either the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Consulate which confirms the Notary's status and is only required on certain, usually commercial, documents). The Notary will guide you through the requirements and where time is of the essence we can either use agents or couriers to assist in speeding up the legalisation process.

Notarial matters are often urgent and David Wilkinson, partner in the private client practice can help provide a first class service. Contact 01753 279030 or notary@bpcollins.co.uk for more details.