In England and Wales Notaries are largely concerned with the verification of documents and information that will be used in other countries in the world, for clients who have business or property overseas, or who are involved in litigation in foreign Courts.
Notaries form an independent branch of the legal profession, although most are solicitors.
Their practice as Notaries is quite separate from their practice of any other profession or business, and is regulated by its own professional rules made by the Court of Faculties by virtue of Orders of the Master, a High Court judge. The most common documents for use abroad and requiring notarisation are Powers of Attorney, whether for personal or corporate matters. The Notary will also be involved in presenting Bills of Exchange for payment, drawing Deeds, Arrangements and Wills in English and foreign languages, attesting the execution of commercial documents to ratify trade agreements, contracts and tenders, and applications for registration or assignment of Patents for use throughout the world. He may also make or verify translations from foreign languages into English and vice versa. He can take evidence as a Commissioner for foreign courts.