Question of ethics

Q I am a newly qualified solicitor.

How many years after qualifying can I become a Commissioner for Oaths so that documents can be sworn before me? How do I go about registering as a Commissioner for Oaths? How do I become a notary?A Any solicitor who holds a current practising certificate can administer oaths and declarations and describe himself or herself as a Commissioner for Oaths - see the Solicitors Act 1974 section.81(1) and the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, section 113(10).

If you wish to qualify as a notary public you should contact the Court of Faculties at the Faculty Office, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3JU, tel: 020-7222 5381, extension 268.Please noteLimited liability partnerships (LLPs)The legislative changes which provide for LLPs came into force on 6 April 2001.

For practitioners to 'convert' to LLP status, the process will involve two successive steps - registration as an LLP at Companies House followed by recognition as a recognised body by the Law Society under the new Solicitors' Incorporated Practice Rules 2001.

These rules also came into force on 6 April 2001 and now regulate all incorporated practices, whether companies or LLPs.

An information pack including the new rules is available from professional ethics.

l Question of ethics is compiled by the Law Society's professional ethics guidance team.

Send questions for publication to Austin O'Malley, the Law Society, Ipsley Court, Berrington Close, Redditch B98 0TD; DX 19114 Redditch; tel: 020 7242 1222.