Kent Lawyer Joins Professional Elite

29 June 2007

A Kent lawyer who specialises in guiding clients through disputes concerning wills and probate issues has been appointed a Notary Public.

Simon Wolfe, a partner in the Private Client team at leading south east law firm Furley Page, now joins an elite section of his profession which acts for commercial organisations and private individuals engaged in transactions overseas.

Simon, who is 49 and an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), said: “I look forward to the challenges this appointment will bring. A notary acts as an official witness rather than a legal advisor, so the profession is different from a solicitor - although most notaries in England and Wales are also solicitors. Most of their duties involve work related to foreign business and property transactions.”

The most common tasks undertaken by notaries are preparing and witnessing Powers of Attorney for use overseas; dealing with the purchase or sale of land and property abroad; providing documents dealing with the administration of the estates of people who were living in, or owned, property abroad when they died; and authenticating personal documents and information required for immigration or emigration purposes – or when someone is applying to work abroad.

Notaries have an obligation not only to a client but also to anyone else relying on a particular document – as well as governments or officials of other countries. They must ensure that transactions are carried out meticulously, minimising any risk of error, omissions, alterations, fraud, forgery, money-laundering and the use of false identity.

In some cases it may be necessary for a written translation of a foreign document to be obtained so the notary can satisfy himself that the client fully understands what he or she is signing, says Simon. And an interpreter may be required if the client doesn’t speak English.

Peter Hawkes, senior partner at Furley Page - recommended by The Legal 500 and Chambers - commented: “A notary public within the firm is important in expanding the range of services we can offer our clients. The addition of this service comes at a good time for us with the increase in overseas work for both individuals and businesses.”

In his leisure time, Simon, who lives in Faversham, is secretary of the Canterbury Singers, plays the viola, helps to support the Faversham Air Training Corps, and takes part in bell-ringing at four local churches.

For more information contact Simon Wolfe

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