TERMS OF BUSINESS

• I act only on the basis of these Terms of Business and the Privacy Notice which may also be viewed on this website.
• I charge fees based on the time taken for the whole matter (including making the appointment, travelling or waiting time and the time needed to prepare the official records) at the rate of £250.00 per hour. Generally speaking, it is unlikely that the fee for any transaction will be less than £100. My practice is registered for VAT which will be charged in addition at the standard rate. Also there may be third party expenses and fees such as those of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Foreign Embassies and Consulates, any agents dealing with the legalisation of documents and special postage and courier charges. My charges are payable on presentation of an invoice which is usually at the time of our meeting. Documents may not be released until the invoice has been paid.
• Part of the Notary's role may include checking certain facts in the documents he notarises and this sometimes involves obtaining evidence or proof from sources independent of the signatory. With regard to this I will need your full cooperation. If it is necessary to add qualifications to my certificate to make it clear that there are facts which I have not been able to verify, the document may be of less benefit and no liability is accepted if this is the case.
• In some circumstances, I may consider that I should decline or cease to act. For example, if I do not receive clear or proper instructions or if the matter on which I am instructed involves anything which appears to be fraudulent or unlawful, or if my charges are not paid.
• I store without charge electronic copies of all notarial acts for as long as required by the rules governing the profession. I do not always keep a full copy of your documents or identification materials but reserve the right to do so.
• Except so far as excluded by the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, my liability for any loss, injury or damage of any nature whatever, whether direct or consequential, including (without limitation) in respect of negligence or breach of duty of care is limited to £750,000.00 in respect of any one claim or series of related claims.

My notarial practice is regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury whose address is:

• The Faculty Office, 1, The Sanctuary, Westminster, London , SW1P 3JT;
• The vast majority of my clients are extremely satisfied with the services I provide. If you have complaints about my work please contact me in the first instance; if the matter cannot be immediately resolved I will refer your complaint to the Notaries Society of which I am a member, who have a Complaints Procedure which is approved by the Faculty Office.
• Alternatively, you can complain to the Notaries Society direct. Please write (but do not enclose any original documents) with full details of your complaint to :-
• Christopher Vaughan, Secretary of The Notaries Society, PO Box 7655, Milton Keynes, MK11 9NR;
• Email secretary@thenotariessociety.org.uk.
• Finally, even if you have your complaint considered under the above procedure, you may then or after a period of eight weeks from the date of making the complaint to me, make your complaint direct to the Legal Ombudsman, (whose contact details are set out below) if the matter has not been resolved to your satisfaction :
• Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ Tel: 0300 555 0333; Or by email to enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk;
• My practice is currently insured through HCC International Limited.