The profession of the notary traces its roots back to Ancient Rome and the Roman Empire, where the notarius would keep official and business records. In England & Wales, notaries were originally appointed by Papal legates, but in 1279 the Pope authorised the Archbishop of Canterbury to appoint notaries. However, following the Reformation, and the Ecclesiastical Licenses Act in 1533 the power to appoint notaries vested in the Monarch, who devolved it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, hence it can be said that a notary has a royal appointment. Notaries are an independent branch of the legal profession and their practice as notaries is quite separate from their practice of any other profession or business, and is not controlled by the rules affecting solicitors. While notaries have the powers of a Commissioner for Oaths (and most of them are also solicitors) the work that they do is mainly concerned with foreign matters and their procedures are entirely different.
There are approximately 900 notaries in England & Wales, and here at Hatten Wyatt two of our Partners are notaries. Their practice as notaries is separate and distinct from Hatten Wyatt Solicitors & Advocates and they practice under the partnership Hatten Wyatt Notaries.
Notaries are primarily concerned with the verification of documents and information that will be used in other countries in the world, for clients who have business or property overseas, or who are involved in litigation in foreign courts.
The services provided by notaries include the verification of legal documents for use outside of England and Wales or verification of identification. This is useful for clients who have business or property overseas or who are involved in litigation in foreign courts. Other services which may be useful are that notaries are able to authenticate powers of attorney for use abroad, authenticate the signing of documents in their presence and deal with the administration of oaths.
The geographical location of Hatten Wyatt Notaries in Gravesend Kent, home of the Port of London Authority means that we are well placed for shipping protests.
Further information on the notarial practice can be found on the following dedicated micro-site www.notaries.hatten-wyatt.com or by telephoning 01474 33 55 15
