Notary services

A notary public is an officer of the law appointed in England and Wales by the Court of Faculties. The notary's role is to prepare, attest or certify documents under an official seal, for use anywhere in the world.

Many overseas transactions require documents to be authenticated before a notary public, the most common of which are:

  • powers of attorney for use overseas
  • sale and purchase agreements relating to foreign assets
  • verification of degree certificates and other qualifications for those taking up employment abroad
  • affidavits and similar documents for use in foreign court proceedings
  • copies of passports and other documents of identification.

Fiona Smith is a partner in our Private Client team and also an experienced notary. Whether a transaction is commercial or personal, Fiona can advise on the formalities required by the receiving jurisdiction. She prepares all forms of notarial acts and is able to obtain apostilles and embassy legalisation. She often works with clients' other advisers, both in the UK and overseas, to ensure documents meet the requirements of foreign legal systems and courts.

Forsters' Private Client practice is top ranked in the latest editions of The Chambers HNW Guide.


The Life Cycle of Family Wealth

From growing a business to starting a family or handing over control of that business to the next generation, every individual has their own goals to aspire to. Our Private Wealth lawyers advise our clients throughout this family life cycle, providing the legal advice required for specific transactions such as purchasing a home or selling a business, whilst also advising on the long-term opportunities for succession and estate planning.

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