A notary is a person authorised to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents. The form that the notarial profession takes varies with local legal systems.
A notary, while a legal professional, is distinct from an advocate in that they do not represent the person who engages their services, or act in contentious matters.
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners use an old English term for a notary, and are an association of notaries practising in central London since 1373.
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