Part 8Miscellaneous provisions about lawyers etc

Other lawyers

183Commissioners for oaths

1

For the purposes of any enactment or instrument (including an enactment passed or instrument made after the passing of this Act) “commissioner for oaths” includes an authorised person in relation to the administration of oaths (“a relevant authorised person”).

2

A relevant authorised person has the right to use the title “Commissioner for Oaths”.

3

A relevant authorised person may not carry on the administration of oaths in any proceedings in which that person represents any of the parties or is interested.

4

A relevant authorised person before whom an oath or affidavit is taken or made must state in the jurat or attestation at which place and on what date the oath or affidavit is taken or made.

5

A document containing such a statement and purporting to be sealed or signed by a relevant authorised person must be admitted in evidence without proof of the seal or signature, and without proof that that person is a relevant authorised person.

6

The Lord Chancellor may by order prescribe the fees to be charged by relevant authorised persons in respect of the administration of an oath or the taking of an affidavit.

7

The Lord Chancellor may make an order under subsection (6) only—

a

after consultation with the Board, and

b

with the consent of the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls.

8

In this section “affidavit” has the same meaning as in the Commissioners for Oaths Act 1889 (c. 10).