Complaints Procedure

Notaries are bound by practice, accounting and other Rules broadly similar to those affecting solicitors. They are fully insured, and their undertakings in conveyancing and all other matters should be accepted without question. The Notaries Society is a membership organisation for notaries practising in England & Wales and not all notaries are members.

The profession is regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Any complaint against a notary should be made to the notary in the first instance.  If the matter cannot be immediately resolved the notary will refer the complaint to The Notaries Society (if s/he is a member of the Society).  The Notaries Society will deal with the complaint under their Approved Complaints Procedure.

 If the notary is not a member of the Society complaint should be made to The Faculty Office direct and they will deal with the matter. You can ask the Legal Ombudsman to consider your complaint if you are dissatisfied with our final response, or if the complaint remains unresolved after eight weeks. Normally, you must contact the Ombudsman within one year of the problem happening or of becoming aware of it, and within six months of our final response. Eligibility and exceptions are explained in the Legal Ombudsman’s current guidance. Complaints to the Notaries Society should be addressed to Elaine Standish, Secretary of The Notaries Society, PO Box 876, Chichester PO19 9ZH.  Email: [email protected] 

Complaints to The Faculty Office should be addressed to The Registrar, The Faculty Office 1 The Sanctuary Westminster London SW1P 3JT telephone 020 7222 5381

email:[email protected] 

Complaints to the Legal Ombudsman should be addressed to Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6167, Slough SL1 0EH Telephone: 0300 555 0333. Email: [email protected].