Qualification as a Scrivener Notary

Qualification as a Scrivener Notary is now governed by the Scriveners (Qualifications) Rules 1998 which came into force on 1 February 1999.  Click here for a copy of the Rules.

Rule 3 provides that, in order to qualify as a scrivener notary you must first qualify as a general notary.  Qualification as a general notary is governed by rules made by the Master of the Faculties and you can obtain a copy by writing to the Registrar of the Court of Faculties, 1 The Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3JT.  It is a requirement of the rules made by the Master of the Faculties that applicants for appointment as a general notary hold a university degree and take a diploma in notarial practice which is currently administered by the University of Cambridge Department of Continuing Education.  Exemptions from certain diploma subjects are available to law graduates.

Once you have become a general notary you need to give notice to the Clerk, accompanied by evidence of your appointment as a general notary together with a cheque for the requisite fee.

In order to qualify as a scrivener notary, you will need to be in possession of a postgraduate master’s degree in a relevant subject or take an examination in advanced notarial law and practice set by the Company.  You will also need to pass the foreign language examinations as specified in Schedule 3 to the Rules.  These examinations require  translation both from and into the main language of your choice and translation into English of standard legal documents in a subsidiary language. Exemptions from the language examinations are available in certain circumstances. 

Furthermore, you will need to undertake a period of practical training with a scrivener notary; this is generally for a period of two years but may in certain circumstances be reduced.  As an alternative to practical training, a candidate who is in actual practice as a general notary at the relevant time may with the agreement of the Company elect to undergo a period of supervised practice and in those circumstances a scrivener notary would be appointed as supervisor.

If you are interested in entering into a training agreement with a scrivener notary you will need to contact one or more of the firms of scrivener notaries operating in central London.
 


 

 

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