>>> ring up your local solicitor and pop the question - are you a commissioner for oaths - not every solicitor is
Wrong, PP!
All practising solicitors are empowered to act as commissioners for oaths, as are all barristers, notaries public, Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives, licensed conveyancors, JPs, circuit judges, district judges, official receivers (and their deputies) and certain court officials.
[Practice direction 32 9.1 of the Civil Procedure Rules]
So any solicitor can do the job.