Who am I?
Hugh qualified as a solicitor in 1976 and still practices as a solicitor as consultant to Carter Vincent LLP, though his Notary business is kept separate.
He was admitted as a Notary Public in England in Wales by passing the post-graduate diploma at Cambridge University in 2010.
A native of Hertfordshire, he moved to Wales because of his love of rock climbing and mountaineering, and spent 39 years as a member of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team. Alas, the wear and tear brought that to an end, and he now sails.
He remains passionate about the practice of law, and maintains strong links with Bangor University.
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer – a member of the third and oldest branch of the legal profession, but least known, in the United Kingdom. They are regulated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and are subject to regulation by the Master of the Faculties. The Rules which affect Notaries are very similar to the rules which affect Solicitors. They must be fully insured and maintain fidelity cover for the protection of their clients and the public. If they hold client’s money, they must keep it separately from their own and comply with stringent practice rules and rules relating to conduct and discipline. Notaries have to renew their practising certificates every year and can only do so if they have complied with the Rules.
What does Notary Do?
Almost everything a Notary does relates to a foreign jurisdiction, which includes Scotland and Northern Ireland. Generally, a document will be prepared by a foreign lawyer for use abroad, but will need authenticating in England and Wales before it can be used abroad. This often requires a process known as legalisation through the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and sometimes Consular legalisation.
The types of documents will often relate to buying and selling property abroad, verifying commercial or industrial standards documentation, and dealing with deaths abroad or deaths in England and Wales but with assets abroad.
Get In Touch
The Port House, Port Penrhyn, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4HN
hugh.davis@cartervincent.co.