"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
A notary public is a lawyer whose office it is to draw up and certify documents.
An act drawn up by a notary public traditionally has credence throughout the world, ensuring acceptance by overseas courts and registries. A notary public is an officer of law, held to standards of integrity, impartiality and excellence. In England and Wales, a notary acts as connection between the legal traditions of the common law and civil law.
A notary public admitted in England and Wales may offer the following services in London and beyond:
- authentication of the execution and content of documents
- electronic notarisation
- 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 translations
- bills of sale, ship mortgages and overseas registry registration forms
- agents for service of legal process
An experienced notary public will be able to assist clients with many types of document. These include
- powers of attorney
- affidavits, oaths and statutory declarations
- contracts
- trademark assignments and patents
- wills and grants
Those notaries who have the experience and skill may go on to qualify as scrivener notaries by examination and training. This is a professional choice. It is a proud tradition and one which senior notaries at John Venn & Sons and their predecessors have been privileged to maintain.