The Post Office Horizon Enquiry
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can a councillor certify documents?
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can local councillors certify documents?
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It really depends on what the documents are and who wants you to get them verified. For example, there is a specific list of people who can countersign a passport application. There is usually a bit of discretion if they think the person signing is honest and reliable. I have retired from a position that would have qualified me to sign some documents, and I sometimes sign them, adding 'retired'. In short, it is worth a try, or ring them and ask what they will accept.
(Posted in 2 parts):
It depends both on the type of documents involved and what exactly is being 'certified'.
There are some things which any adult of sound mind can certify. (e.g. anyone can witness a will. In so doing, they're certifying that they saw the testator sign).
Also, if a local sports club asks someone to audit their accounts, then any auditor can certify that the accounts are a true record of the club's transactions. (The auditor doesn't need to have any qualifications or to hold any public office).
There are some things which only persons 'of a certain standing' can certify. (e.g. when someone applies for a passport they have to get an appropriate person to certify that the photograph is a true likeness. A local councillor is considered an appropriate person - along with opticians, journalists, funeral directors, etc!).
Some documents can only by people with certain professional qualifications. I referred, above, to the fact that anyone can certify that a local sports club's accounts are in order. When a limited company has its accounts auditted, however, only a qualified accountant can certify that everything is in order.
It depends both on the type of documents involved and what exactly is being 'certified'.
There are some things which any adult of sound mind can certify. (e.g. anyone can witness a will. In so doing, they're certifying that they saw the testator sign).
Also, if a local sports club asks someone to audit their accounts, then any auditor can certify that the accounts are a true record of the club's transactions. (The auditor doesn't need to have any qualifications or to hold any public office).
There are some things which only persons 'of a certain standing' can certify. (e.g. when someone applies for a passport they have to get an appropriate person to certify that the photograph is a true likeness. A local councillor is considered an appropriate person - along with opticians, journalists, funeral directors, etc!).
Some documents can only by people with certain professional qualifications. I referred, above, to the fact that anyone can certify that a local sports club's accounts are in order. When a limited company has its accounts auditted, however, only a qualified accountant can certify that everything is in order.
(2nd part):
Moving up one stage further, we arrive at documents which can only be certified by a 'notary public' or a solicitor. These would include any situation where an oath has to be sworn. (e.g. if you're trying to sell your house and you need to make a legal declaration of where the rights of way are, you will have to draw up a plan of the rights of way and then swear an oath that the plan is correct. The notary public or solicitor will then certify that he has seen the plans and that he has heard you declare the oath relating to them).
Beyond this are documents which can only be certified by a solicitor (and not a notary public). There are also documents which can only be certified by the Lord Chancellor and even some which can only be certified by the monarch!
So, unless we know what type of documents are involved and what type of 'certifying' is being done, it's impossible to give a 'yes' or 'no' answer to your question.
Chris
(Just a note to Grunty. People who've retired from any of the jobs on the 'passport list' can continue to countersign passport applications. This bit appears at the end of the list: "Or persons of similar standing to the above, working or retired, are acceptable as countersignatories" :
http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/faqs/faq.asp?intElement=454 ).
Moving up one stage further, we arrive at documents which can only be certified by a 'notary public' or a solicitor. These would include any situation where an oath has to be sworn. (e.g. if you're trying to sell your house and you need to make a legal declaration of where the rights of way are, you will have to draw up a plan of the rights of way and then swear an oath that the plan is correct. The notary public or solicitor will then certify that he has seen the plans and that he has heard you declare the oath relating to them).
Beyond this are documents which can only be certified by a solicitor (and not a notary public). There are also documents which can only be certified by the Lord Chancellor and even some which can only be certified by the monarch!
So, unless we know what type of documents are involved and what type of 'certifying' is being done, it's impossible to give a 'yes' or 'no' answer to your question.
Chris
(Just a note to Grunty. People who've retired from any of the jobs on the 'passport list' can continue to countersign passport applications. This bit appears at the end of the list: "Or persons of similar standing to the above, working or retired, are acceptable as countersignatories" :
http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/faqs/faq.asp?intElement=454 ).
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