"All notarial acts and instruments may be received in evidence without further proof as being duly authenticated in accordance with the requirements of law unless the contrary is proved".
Civil Procedure Rules - Rule 32.20
Notaries are the oldest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales.
There exist two main classes of notaries in England and Wales today, general or public notaries and scrivener notaries.
Scrivener notaries are highly qualified and specialised Public Notaries. They must first qualify as Public notaries and then obtain their scrivener qualifications while undertaking a training contract with a scrivener notary firm or by undertaking a period of supervision by a scrivener notary.
A Public Notary is a lawyer whose office it is to draw up and certify documents. This is to ensure their acceptance by overseas courts and registries.
John Venn & Sons is extremely proud to be one of the oldest firms of scrivener notaries in London. We have been providing notarial services for almost two centuries with records dating back to 1839.
Our notaries offer some of the following services in London and beyond:
- Authentication of the execution and content of documents
- Attestation of signatures
- Preparation of foreign wills and the provision of documents for the administration of estates in England and other countries
- Preparation and authentication of powers of attorney for use abroad
- Administration of oaths in relation to written evidence for use in the courts of England and foreign courts
- Notarisation of copy documents and the authenticity of public records
- preparation and certification of legal translation
Each notary in London is subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties and must adhere to professional rules which include:
- an obligation to hold insurance and fidelity cover for the protection of their clients and the public in London and beyond
- an obligation to keep clients’ money separate from their own and comply with very stringent practice rules as well as rules relating to conduct and discipline.
- standards of quality, conduct and practice, and continuing professional education.
The firm provides a full range of notarial services. A primary function of a notary is to certify the signature of a client. To do this, we will ask for photo identification and proof of residential address.
On request we attend on clients at their place of business or home.
- If you are representing a company or other organisation we will need to investigate your authority. In some cases we may ask you to produce certain documents, such as a certificate of incorporation or good standing. A board resolution or power of attorney may also be relevant.
- The firm offers certification of translations and can assist in making certified copies of documents. It also confirms the authenticity of United Kingdom documentation for overseas use. A notary’s certificate creates a presumption of authenticity in court.
- Notaries are authorised by statute to administer oaths and declarations. We also draft affidavits and declarations to our clients’ instructions.
- In matters of commerce we will note and protest bills of exchange.
- In probate matters the firm acts on behalf of foreign beneficiaries who are seeking to obtain a grant in England and Wales. We also advise clients who have assets in different countries or who are seeking to obtain recognition of a will in more than one jurisdiction. Notaries are authorised to make applications to the court in this respect.