THE ROLE OF THE NOTARY IN THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC

Abstract

To shed light on the qualifications and functions of notaries in Quebec, this article surveys the historical French origins of this unique office and the organizing and governing bodies in Quebec. It reviews the relevant statutory law, as it canvasses several aspects of the profession: the requirements for admission to the notarial profession, the functions, privileges and duties of the notary, the incompatibility of the profession with certain functions, illegal practice of the profession, the relation of the notary to each person in a deed, the rule of the Board of Notaries, notarial deeds, custody of notarial records, wills and codicils, deeds en brevet and inspection of records. The author concludes with a brief comment about the varying ways the profession is conducted.