Scrivener notaries are highly qualified
and specialised notaries public.
A scrivener notary first qualifies as a notary public and then obtains the scrivener qualification through a training contract with a scrivener notary firm or by undertaking a period of supervision by a scrivener notary.
Scrivener notaries typically are in notarial practice on a full-time basis. The training of scrivener notaries in advanced aspects of notarial practice and two or more foreign languages gives them a unique linguistic and professional capacity. The Scrivener notary drafts and attests documents in foreign languages, which potentially removes the need for written translation. The Scrivener notary will converse with overseas counsel, authorities, or courts to clarify any potential issues surrounding a transaction.
Certified translations can also be produced and attested by scrivener notaries.
Scrivener notaries will usually have a wide and varied clientele. That clientele may include private individuals, law firms, banks, asset and fund management firms, pharmaceutical companies, oil and gas conglomerates, engineering companies and tech start-ups.
The Society of Scrivener Notaries is the representative body for Scrivener notaries. Languages spoken by members of the Society include: French, German, Greek, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.
The skills possessed by Scrivener Notaries are sought after by clients for many reasons. At John Venn & Sons we find that following legal matters are entrusted to us by clients:
Germany
- certificates of representation “Vertretungsbescheinigungen” - to prove the existence of companies and the authority of their directors and legal representatives.
- powers of attorney “Vollmacht” for purchase, sale and mortgage of property. Also encountered in the incorporation and mergers of companies.
- ratifications “Genehmigungen” to retrospectively confirm an action carried out on an individual’s behalf.
Italy
- certified copy documents and translations in connection with applications for Declarations of Value “Dichiarazioni di Valore in Loco” to prove recognition of qualifications.
- powers of Attorney “procura” for loans, sale and purchase. These are also common in inheritance matters
Spain
- preparations of powers of attorney “poder” to buy or sell property, to obtain a Spanish Tax Number “NIE” or “NIF”,
- notarial deeds recording resolutions of Spanish companies “elevacion a público” in relation to changes of name, change of director, change of objects etc.
- Deeds of Revocation of Powers of Attorney or ratification
- wills and acceptances or renunciations of inheritance – “renuncia”
France
- acte de notoriété – to prove the capacity of the heirs and executors of an inheritance
- powers of attorney “procuration” in connection with gifts “donation”, purchase, sale and mortgage of property
- changement de régime matrimonial – where the spouses or couple decide to choose the property relationship with marriage
Poland
- power of attorney (pełnomocnictwo) to deal with property or inheritance matters
- declarations regarding matrimonial property (intercyza) or renunciations of inheritance (odrzucenie spadku)
Scrivener notaries can also arrange for the legalisation of documents. This will involve taking documents to the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office to obtain the apostille stamp. This government issued certificate, also known as the “apostille” or “Hague apostille”, confirms the registration of the notary in the United Kingdom. If the receiving jurisdiction is not a member of the 1961 Hague Convention then the scrivener notary may arrange for the document to also be taken to the relevant consulate.
These unique services are offered by John Venn & Sons from offices in London and Birmingham. They provide a complete legal solution. The full suite of notarisation, legalisation and translation is carried out or managed in-house, ensuring a quality and consistency for clients.