What do I need to know?
What is a Notary Public?
A Notary Public is a qualified lawyer and is appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury. There are about 800 Notaries working in the UK.
Should I sign documents prior to a meeting?
No. This can complicate matters further so do not sign documents until you’ve consulted Paul.
What is acceptable evidence of public records?
Only original certificates (as opposed to copies) are acceptable means of proof of public records such as birth, marriage and death.
Do I need to meet in-person?
Yes. An in-person meeting at the BPE office will be required.
Can you advise me beyond direct Notarial certification?
No. Our Notarial responsibility extends only to the Notarial formalities themselves. We will not give advice for the drafting or effect of any documents which we have not prepared.
Meet our Public Notary
Paul Engelbrecht
Latest news
When should you apply for a Final Order (Decree Absolute) in divorce proceedings?
Divorce involves a number of formal legal stages, and understanding when to apply for a Final Order (previously known as a Decree Absolute) is an important part of the process.
Selling a company to an Employee Ownership Trust – is it still worth it?
BPE Solicitors LLP (BPE) have recently advised a number of clients on selling their companies to an employee ownership trust (EOT). Selling a company to an EOT offers significant tax advantages, including CGT relief for selling shareholders and tax-free bonuses for employees, provided statutory conditions are met.
The Hidden Risk in the Unfair Dismissal Reforms
The Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 16 December 2025, creating the Employment Rights Act 2025 and laying the groundwork for a series of significant employment law reforms due to take effect throughout 2026 and 2027.
EOT vs MBO: Which Ownership Model is Right for Your Business?
For many business owners planning their succession, the question of how to pass on their company is one of the most important – and often the most complex – decisions they will face. Two increasingly popular options are an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) or a Management Buy-Out (MBO).
Why legal advice remains essential for low-value lease transactions
When considering a lease transaction, whether as a landlord or a tenant, it can be tempting to go without professional legal advice, as you may think that the legal costs could be disproportionate given the low rental value.
Landlord’s leasehold obligations
It’s no real surprise that landlords are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the structure and common parts of the leasehold properties they own. But how far do their specific obligations reach?
BPE delivers successful new lease for Uniserve Group
BPE are proud to have acted for Uniserve Group on the lease of their latest premise, Droitwich 170. This brand-new warehouse of 169,410 square feet is a perfectly placed location for privately-owned logistics and global trade management provider Uniserve, thanks to its location, just a stone’s throw from Junction 5 of the M5.
Intellectual property risk, strategy and trade secrets: Lessons from Quantum Computing
Google’s quantum computer is described as an oil barrel made up of round discs suspended in a bronze liquid helium bath refrigerator. Housed in a secure laboratory in Santa Barbara, California USA, the technology behind this computer is subject to strict security, confidentiality and export control and it is claimed to be the world’s most powerful quantum computer.
