For many, time and money may be the two most crucial deciding factors in whether to hire a lawyer or a notary public to handle your legal matters at hand. If you have ever been in a situation where you are to hire an attorney, you may have also likely wondered whether speaking to a notary public would suffice or if you will need to speak with a lawyer instead. Understanding the difference between a notary and a lawyer can potentially help to save your time and money spent on legal proceedings as needed.
The following article aims to help you learn more about the roles of a notary public vs. a lawyer so you can reach out to the right representative(s) when it comes to managing your most important personal documentations and professional legal affairs.
ROLE OF A NOTARY PUBLIC
To begin, the biggest difference between a notary public and a lawyer is that a lawyer can represent you in court and be involved in litigation. Notaries generally handle non-contentious legal matters where all parties have reached an agreement and need a document draft/preparation and legal witness to advise and arrange the proceedings of said agreement.
All notaries also maintain ongoing trainings and are members of The Societies of Notaries Public in British Columbia which strictly follow the same standardized practices across the province. While a notary can offer legal advice in various circumstances; notary publics typically focus on real estate matters. As such, a Notary Public’s work is restricted, which consists of non-contentious legal matters, such as:
- Real estate
- Business
- Wills and Estates
- Contracts
- power of attorney
- notarizing documents
Hiring for a Notary Public is a great option if you are seeking legal advice or assistance with personal documents or real estate transfers. You may wish to visit our blog by clicking here to learn more about the real estate conveyancing process or by clicking here for a more detailed list of services that a BC Notary Public can provide for you today.
Requirements to become a Notary Public in British Columbia
Commissioned notary publics in BC are required to obtain a Master’s Degree in Applied Legal Studies from Simon Fraser University, undergo mentorship period and pass statutory examinations to be commissioned as a Notary by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
According to The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, all prospective notaries “must complete a University Level, Basic Accounting Course, and every applicant will be required to complete a written exercise as part of the interview process”, prior to becoming a notary public candidate.
To learn more about becoming a Notary Public in British Columbia, please visit the official website for The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia for more information.
ROLE OF A LAWYER
A lawyer, on the other hand, can legally represent clients in court. A lawyer is directly involved in a client’s legal paperwork, court proceedings and all other aspects of litigation while working on your behalf and in your best interest.
Requirements to become a Lawyer in British Columbia
A lawyer in B.C. must obtain an undergraduate degree as well as a law degree, on top of other prerequisites and requirements before practicing at a firm. Additionally, “Lawyers practicing in other jurisdictions in Canada may be eligible to transfer to BC” as stated by the Law Society of BC.
For more information about the requirements of becoming a lawyer in British Columbia, please visit The Law Society of BC’s official website to learn more.
WHEN TO HIRE A NOTARY PUBLIC
The primary difference between a notary and a lawyer is that a lawyer can represent their client in court, whereas a notary cannot. Among other responsibilities, a lawyer has the power to act as a notary public, but not vice versa.
It is recommended for you to reach out to a Notary or Lawyer’s office directly to speak with a representative regarding your legal matters to obtain the most up to date information and resources for your needs.
Disclaimer: the information listed above is not exhaustive. This is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Please contact us directly at 604 416 0211 or INFO@JURISNOTARY.COM for more information.
HOW JURIS NOTARY CAN HELP YOU
At Juris Notary, we maintain a standardized procedure where we can meet our clients in person and go over any questions or concerns you may have regarding your legal documents.
You may find more information on notarization services and how a Notary Public can help you with your legal needs on our blog. Should you have any further questions regarding the services that a Notary Public can provide for you, feel free to contact us today at 604.416.0211 or info@jurisnotary.com to speak with a legal representative today.
