After section 59 of the 1980 Act, insert—

“59ARules regarding notaries public

(1)

Subject to subsections (2) and (3), the Council may, if they think fit, make rules for regulating in respect of any matter the admission, enrolment and professional practice of notaries public.

(2)

The Council shall, before making any rules under this section—

(a)

send to each notary public a draft of the rules; and

(b)

take into consideration any representations made by any notary public on the draft.

(3)

Rules made under this section shall not have effect unless the Lord President, after considering any representations the Lord President thinks relevant, has approved the rules so made.

(4)

If a notary public fails to comply with any rule made under this section that failure may be treated as professional misconduct or unsatisfactory professional conduct on the part of the solicitor who is the notary public.”.