In addition to managing the legal services provided by Bridge Law Solicitors, practice founder Claire Stewart is a Notary Public, a specialist lawyer appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This makes her a member of the oldest branch of the legal profession in the UK.
As a notary, Claire provides services to clients ranging from private individuals to international corporations.
Some of the most common overseas transactions needing notary authentication
- Powers of attorney for use overseas
- Affidavits and similar documents for use in overseas court proceedings
- Sales and purchase agreements relating to overseas assets
- Copies of passports and other documents of identification
- Verification of degree certificates and other qualifications for people taking up overseas jobs
Receiving jurisdictions
Claire can advise on the formalities required by receiving jurisdictions for both private and business matters.
She prepares all notarial forms and obtains apostilles and embassy legislation. She can also work with clients’ other advisers, both here in the UK and overseas to ensure documents meet the requirements of overseas courts and legal systems.
Notarial duty of responsibility
Unlike solicitors, whose principal duty of responsibility is to their clients, a notary is completely independent and has an overriding duty of responsibility to the transaction with which he or she is involved.
This means a notary’s duty of responsibility is to all of the parties relying on their certification. The notary must therefore by 100% satisfied with the accuracy of all of the information he or she will provide before final certification.
Foreign language documents
If notarial documents are required in a foreign language, it is usually necessary for them to be translated by an official legal translator, who on completion will sign a statutory declaration.
Notaries can also attest to the truth and accuracy of translations. Each notarised document then carries a notary’s signature confirming that it has been certified.
Insurance indemnity
A notary’s limit of insurance indemnity is £1,000,000.
Although working as a solicitor through Bridge Law Solicitors, Claire provides notarial services in the capacity of an independent notary public regulated through the faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.