In this month’s feature interview, Kuldip Bhatti, an experienced notary public, explores these issues. What services are offered by notaries, how valuable they are to individuals and companies, and what changes have occurred in this field? Kuldip gives his insight, as well as a glimpse into his practice and future plans.
What is the role of a UK notary for a business? What services are available to corporations or other organisations?
Notaries public can legalise a variety of documents that companies use in England or most commonly abroad. They include:
- Documents required for establishing companies abroad
- Corporate powers of Attorney
- Certificates of Good Standing
- Services of Apostille & Legalisation
- Notarisation of documents of a company such as resolutions and minutes, Articles of Association etc.
- Notarisations of Share Certificates
- Notarisation required for documents required in the sale and purchase companies
- Certified copies of board resolutions, minutes and company meetings
- Use of Acknowledgements in the USA
- Documentation for certification of trademarks
- Certificate of Identification for Directors and Company Secretaries
- Certificates of execution of commercial contracts outside England and Wales
- Affidavits & Statutory Declarations
- Protesting bills and exchange
- Notarization of a document electronically
- Apostilles can be obtained on behalf of clients.
What are the differences between these services and those offered to individuals?
Notarizing documents for individuals is more personal, and does not require the authority of a corporate entity. In a sense, there is some overlap between the services that notaries public offer to companies and individuals.
- Notes on passports and proofs of address
- Certificates of Degrees
- Documents certifying a change of name
- Attesting powers for use outside England and Wales, such as Spain and France (to name just a few)
- Documents to be recorded for estate administration
- Consents to travel for children
- Documents for marriages
- Documents for adoption
- Documents to be prepared for the purchase and sale of property
- Attesting Wills
- Notarising Oaths
- Notifying statutory declarations
- Services of Apostille & Legalisation
- Use of Notarising Acknowledgements in the US
- Documents to be notarized for legal purposes
- Some documents can be e-otarised
- Apostilles can be obtained on behalf of customers.
What is the most common type of work you do for your corporate clients?
The documents I am asked to help with most are power of attorney documents given by individuals and used outside England and Wales. I also certify company documents like articles of incorporation or certificates of incorporation for use abroad. I am asked to attend board resolutions and board meetings of clients’ companies so that I may notarise relevant resolutions and meetings that are required overseas.
I am also asked to notearise documents of ID and proofs of address, such as driving licences and passports, so that details of directors from companies in England and Wales may be added to overseas companies. In the past, I was asked to verify the signature of a director of a company on behalf of overseas banks so that they could take advantage of any banking services that may be available to them.
Since you became a notary, have you seen any changes in the type of work you are asked to do?
A pandemic has caused clients to be more reluctant to travel. Brexit has had a significant impact on our work. Since the United Kingdom no longer belongs to the EU, there is a greater demand for documents that need notarisation. This was not the case when I became a Notary Public (which was evidently pre-Brexit), like visa applications and documents related to banking.
Power of Attorneys have increased in use due to the pandemic. Clients are less willing to travel.
What are the current trends in the legal sector that you observe?
In the changing world, I’ve seen more electronic tools being used to help the notary. I am happy to confirm that I can offer the service of electronic notarization of certain documents. In my private practice, I’ve also noticed that KB Solicitors is now completing and sending many documents electronically instead of via the post as in the ‘olden days’.
I’ve also noticed that social media platforms are being used to market and promote oneself, not just to procure work. It is not just Linkedin, but also other social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube. This is very important because many people are using these platforms. It is also a great way for lawyers or law firms, to communicate and interact with their clients or potential clients. Some networking events are being held “virtually” due to hybrid working and the effects of the pandemic, which has led to an increase in the use ZOOM.
What advice would be given to a legal professional with less experience who is interested in becoming a notary public?
Be prepared. It is a rewarding career dealing with different types of documents from around the world. However, it can also be a challenging one. A notary must remain diligent and ensure they follow the rules that govern notaries. Never be afraid to ask more questions to the client, because you need to understand exactly what you’re doing.
The notary’s primary role, as I was repeatedly told by experienced notaries, is to act like a “gatekeeper”, ensuring what is asked for and what is actually done are correct. They also ensure that (just like when wearing your solicitor’s hat) you have completed all the anti-money laundering checks and capacity checks required.
About Kuldip Bhatti
Tell us about your legal background. What led you to becoming a notary?
After completing my Master of Commercial Law at University of Birmingham and my law degree at Leicester, I was offered a two-year training contract while still at university. This allowed me to finish my legal practice, travel for a year, and begin my training.
After qualifying as a lawyer at a large provincial firm, I spent many years in London working for a large international firm. Later, I became a partner of a niche commercial firm. In the corporate and commercial departments, I was involved in many transactions that required the services a notary. The work that a notary is required to do is interesting and varied, and I thought this would be an area I’d like to get involved with.
I was confident that I had gained the skills, expertise and most importantly the drive to be a successful notary. After completing my studies at University College London, I was able to become a Notary Public.
Never be afraid to ask more questions to the client, because you need to understand everything you’re doing and being asked to do.
What is the most exciting aspect of your job?
I enjoy wearing two hats – one as a lawyer and founder of KB Solicitors Limited, and another as a notary. This keeps me challenged and fresh every day which is important in any career. Because the legal profession has kept up with modern technology and is more aware of electronic and digital communication, I’ve improved my skills and gained a better understanding. This is important to me and keeps me current. Modern lawyers must not only have a good legal mind, but they also need to be able to adapt and learn.
It is both challenging and rewarding for me to be a notary and a solicitor. Both are legal roles but I think the combination makes me more competent and skilled.
What are your career plans for the rest of the year?
It’s also a challenge for KB Notary Public Limited to expand and grow the two businesses KB Solicitors and KB Notary Public Limited. I plan to grow KB Notary Public Limited, and continue to provide clients in England and Wales and overseas with a fantastic service that meets their notarial requirements.
As a founding partner of KB Solicitors I plan to continue growing the firm. Expansion plans are in place for other areas of law, such as private clients and family matters. In addition to the Bracknell and Marlow office, I hope to open additional offices in other locations such as Wokingham or London. I am always looking for hard-working and competent staff to fill a range of positions, including notarial assistants, paralegals, solicitors, and trainee solicitors.
Kuldip Bhatti, the Founder
KB Notary Publics and Solicitors
Venture House, 2 Arlington Square, Bracknell, RG12 1WA, UK
Tel: +44 01344 374406
Kuldip Bhatiis a notary public with extensive experience and is the founder of KB Solicitors & Notary Public. Kuldip Bhatti is based in Bracknell and Marlow. He serves clients from all surrounding counties. Kuldip’s clients are both individuals and companies. His areas of expertise include notarisation, certification and apostille.