Notary Public

We are pleased to introduce Simon Cross who is a Partner and joint Head of the Private Client team and is also a qualified Notary Public.

Simon, who is based in our Wareham office, frequently travels to other Humphries Kirk offices in Bournemouth, Parkstone, Poole, Swanage and Dorchester and is happy to accomodate anyone who is in need of notarial services when he is at any of these offices.

Below are examples of the notarial services Simon offers, however, should you require other services not listed then please contact Simon directly.

Simon Cross - 01929 552141

Services

• Attesting the signature and execution of documents
• Authenticating the execution of documents
• Authenticating the contents of documents
• Administration of oaths and declarations
• Drawing up or noting (and extending) protests of happenings to ships, crews and cargoes
• Presenting bills of exchange for acceptance and payment, noting and protesting bills in cases of dishonour and preparing acts of honour
• Attending upon the drawing up of bonds
• Drawing mercantile documents, deeds, sales or purchases of property, and wills in English and (via translation), in foreign languages for use in Britain, the Commonwealth and other foreign countries
• Providing documents to deal with the administration of the estate of people who are abroad, or owning property abroad
• Authenticating personal documents and information for immigration or emigration purposes, or to apply to marry, divorce, adopt children or to work abroad
• Verification of translations from foreign languages to English and vice versa
• Taking evidence in England and Wales as a Commissioner for Oaths for foreign courts
• Provision of Notarial copies
• Preparing and witnessing powers of attorney, corporate records, contracts for use in Britain or overseas
• Authenticating company and business documents and transactions
• International domain name transfers

Who is a Notary?

A Notary is a qualified lawyer – a member of the third and oldest branch of the legal profession in the United Kingdom.  He is appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and is subject to regulation by the Court of Faculties.   The rules which affect Notaries are very similar to the rules which affect Solicitors.  They must be fully insured and maintain fidelity cover for the protection of their clients and the public.  They must keep clients’ money separately from their own and comply with stringent practice rules and rules relating to conduct and discipline.  Notaries have to renew their practising certificates every year and can only do so if they have complied with the rules.

What do they do?

In most instances a notary acts as an impartial and legally trained witness to authenticate and certify the execution of documents required or intended for use outside the UK.

The office of a notary in England and Wales is internationally recognised and the signature and official seal of a Notary are recognised as evidence of a responsible legal officer in most countries of the world.

What else can Notaries do?

Most notaries act in that capacity to provide the sort of services already described, but they can also provide authentication and a secure record for almost any sort of transaction, document or event.

Also as a member of the oldest legal profession in England and Wales, a notary can do any form of legal work for you except for taking cases to court.

Most notaries are also solicitors and do their general legal work in that capacity and under the regulation of the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A few (including the Scrivener notaries in London) practice only as notaries doing commercial and property work (including conveyancing) and family and private client work (including wills, probate and the administration of estates).

Please note: Simon is happy to meet clients at any of Humphries Kirk's offices and as such he will try to make appointments with anyone needing Notarial services when he is next at the office in question, however, Simon may charge a mileage fee should he be required to travel for notarial business alone.

If you require the services of a Notary Public please contact Simon Cross on 01929 552141 or email sdc@hklaw.eu