Notary Public
- Regulators
-
- Law Society of Scotland
- Nations
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- Scotland
- Sectors
-
- Law
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Law Society of Scotland
- Address
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Level 2, Atria One
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX - Email address
- lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
- Website
- http://www.lawscot.org.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)1312 267 411
Regulation
Regulation summary
Notaries public play an important legal role in Scottish life where the legal validity of a document requires the swearing of an oath. Only solicitors/notaries in possession of a practising certificate can act as notaries in Scotland. The Law Society is responsible for the admission and registration of notaries.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
A link to information on activities reserved to Notaries in Scotland can be found under "More about regulated activities and titles" below
Protected titles
Notary Public
N.P.
See Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 s31
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/membership-and-fees/practising-certificate-holders/notary-public/
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
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Scottish Notaries Public are required to be Scottish Solicitors with a current practising certificate - Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 Section 62. See Scottish Solicitor qualification for details.
Admission and registration of notaries under the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 requires a petition to the Court of Session - More about qualification
- https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/membership-and-fees/practising-certificate-holders/notary-public/
Professionals from other UK nations
- Routes to recognition within the UK
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Scottish Notaries Public are required to be Scottish Solicitors with a current practising certificate - Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 Section 62. See Scottish Solicitor qualification for details.
Admission and registration of notaries under the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 requires a petition to the Court of Session - More about recognition within the UK
- https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/membership-and-fees/practising-certificate-holders/notary-public/
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
- Summary of routes
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Scottish Notaries Public are required to be Scottish Solicitors with a current practising certificate - Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 Section 62. See Scottish Solicitor qualification for details.
Admission and registration of notaries under the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 requires a petition to the Court of Session - More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.lawscot.org.uk/qualifying-and-education/qualifying-as-a-scottish-solicitor/requalifying-into-scotland/
Registration
- Registration requirements
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You must hold a current Practising Certificate and declare your status and compliance with rules annually and pay fees to act as a Notary. See our website for current
Rules
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/rules-and-guidance/rules-and-guidance/ - More about registration
- http://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/membership-and-fees/
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
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Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/46/contents