Qualification as a Scrivener Notary
Qualification as a Scrivener Notary is now governed by the Scriveners (Qualifications) Rules 1998 (click for pdf version) which came into force on 1 February 1999.
Rule 3 provides that, in order to qualify as a scrivener notary, it is first necessary to qualify as a general notary. Qualification as a general notary is governed by rules made by the Master of the Faculties. A copy can be obtained 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, obtain a certificate of exemption from the Faculty Office and complete a post-graduate diploma in notarial practice consisting of studies in civil law, private international law and notarial practice. The post-graduate diploma in notarial practice is administered by the Professional Studies division of the University of Cambridge Department of Continuing Education.
A general notary wishing to qualify as a scrivener notary must first give notice to the Clerk of the Company of this intention. There are two parts to qualification as a scrivener notary. The first is the entering into of a training agreement or supervision arrangement with a practising scrivener notary. The second is the sitting of examinations in:
- notarial practice
- the legal system of a foreign country
- two foreign languages (translation and drafting skills).
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. Click here for further details.