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 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 qualified as a general notary it is necessary, in order to further qualify as a scrivener notary, to give notice to the Clerk, accompanied by evidence of the appointment as a general notary together with the requisite payment.   You will also need to be in possession of a postgraduate master's degree in a relevant subject or to 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 Qualifications Rules, although 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.   Click here for further details.