繁體中文
工作內容
公證人會核實簽署人身分、見證簽署同宣誓、認證文件副本,同製作公證文書,例如授權書、公司文件同用於外地嘅聲明。由於文件最終喺海外使用,公證人要熟悉不同司法管轄區嘅要求,並確保程序同紀錄嚴謹。公證人通常本身係執業律師,同時從事律師同公證工作,但兩個身分嘅職能同責任唔同。
委任關卡
《法律執業者條例》(第159章)第IV部為公證人嘅考試、委任同註冊提供框架,委任權屬高等法院首席法官。一般須先為執業律師並具最少七年執業經驗,方符合報考資格。流程包括通過公證人考試、取得不反對通知書、加入香港法律公證人協會為會員,同由首席法官委任。公證人須每年領取執業證明書先可以執業。
協會職能同專業要求
香港法律公證人協會嘅職能包括公證人嘅委任、管理公證人考試、提供專業發展課程、指導同監察公證實務、簽發年度執業證明書,以及調查有關公證人專業失當嘅投訴同指控。協會亦設有公證實務同匯票訓練課程供考生選讀。律師會根據高等法院簽發嘅公證人委任證明書編製公證人名單,方便公眾同律師尋找公證人。
English
What the work involves
Notaries public verify the identity of signatories, witness signatures and oaths, certify copies of documents and prepare notarial instruments such as powers of attorney, company documents and statements for overseas use. Because the documents end up abroad, a notary must understand the requirements of different jurisdictions and keep procedures and records rigorous. Notaries are usually practising solicitors who combine both roles, but the functions and responsibilities of the two capacities differ. Notarial records are kept systematically so that an instrument can be traced if it is later questioned overseas.
The appointment gate
Part IV of the Legal Practitioners Ordinance (Cap. 159) provides the framework for the examination, appointment and registration of notaries public, with appointment vested in the Chief Judge of the High Court. A person generally must first be a practising solicitor of at least seven years' standing to be eligible to sit the examination. The process includes passing the notaries public examination, obtaining a letter of no objection, joining the Hong Kong Society of Notaries as a member, and appointment by the Chief Judge. A notary must obtain an annual practising certificate to practise.
Society functions and professional requirements
The Hong Kong Society of Notaries' functions include the appointment of notaries public, administration of the notaries public examination, provision of professional development programmes, guidance and monitoring of notarial practice, issuance of annual practising certificates, and investigation of complaints and allegations of professional misconduct. It also offers a training course on notarial practice and bills of exchange for candidates. The Law Society compiles a list of notaries public based on appointment certificates issued by the High Court, to help the public and solicitors find a notary.