A S Johal Notary Public

Terms and Conditions

I act only on the basis of these Terms of Business:

  • 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 £180 per hour. Generally speaking, it is unlikely that the fee for any transaction will be less than £80. I am happy to do home visits once we have agreed what work is required and I can also quote a fixed fee for any work needed. My practice is not registered for VAT and will not be charged. In addition, third party expenses and fees will be charged such as charges 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 is to check the 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. No liability is accepted for the consequences of notarial acts intended for the USA and Canada.
  • 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 fraud or violence, 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. 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 £1,000,000.00 in respect of any one claim or series of related claims.
  • The notarial practice is regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury whose address is: The Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JT. Email: faculty.office@1thesanctuary.com. Website: www.facultyoffice.org.uk.
  • The vast majority of clients are extremely satisfied and most are very happy with the Notarial services which provided. If you have complaints about the work please do not hesitate to contact me, and 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 Notaries Society Approved Complaints Procedure, you may at the end of that procedure, or after a period of 8 weeks from the date you first notified me that you were dissatisfied, make your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, if you are not happy with the result: Legal Ombudsman, P O Box 6167, Slough SL1 0EH. Tel : 0300 555 0333. Email: enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk. Website: www.legalombudsman.org.uk. If you decide to make a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman, you must refer your matter to the Legal Ombudsman within one year from the act/omission or within one year from when you should reasonably have known there was cause for complaint.
  • My practice is insured through a reputable insurance company details of which are available upon request.
  • I may share your details with the law firm that I also work with unless you advise my specifically not to.