Bridge Law Solicitors has introduced a new notary public service. This service will be available at both the firm’s head office in Marple Bridge and their offices in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.
Clare Steward, Bridge Law’s founder and director, will operate the new notary service.
Claire completed the qualification and took the Crown oath earlier this year to join a select number of highly specialist lawyers practising as notaries public in England and Wales. This is one of the oldest branches of the legal profession in the UK. The Archbishop of Canterbury appoints notaries under an Act of Parliament from the reign of Henry VIII.
Commenting on the launch of the new notarial service, Claire Stewart shared: “I am delighted to be able to offer a Notary service through Bridge Law, alongside my role as director and solicitor at the firm.
“As more and more clients were contacting the firm enquiring if we offered notary services in recent years, it was something I was keen to be able to help clients with and I’m honoured to now be admitted to the office of notary public, a commission which expires at death.
Claire went on to explain that it is not necessarily common knowledge what a notary does. Most people will only come across them when they find themselves in need of assistance. The need for notary services has always been apparent for Bridge Law and has only been increasing since lockdown. Claire recognises that the number of people choosing to live, work, do business, marry or travel overseas is growing. People who wish to travel with their grandchildren or partners’ children often encounter foreign jurisdictions that demand documents and deeds to undergo witnessing, certification, or authentication by a notary public.
This further expansion to Bridge Law’s services follows steady growth at the boutique law firm over the last year. The firm has seen the appointment of specialist family law solicitor, Jill Walker, who has over 20 years of experience. Furthermore, paralegals Helena Boullerier and Jake Croke also joined the team in 2023, to support the firm’s specialist lawyers.