My name is Ellen Marie Baxter Beecroft. I am a notary public, qualified to practise in England and Wales. I am duly empowered to issue notarial acts, in the public and private forms, intended for use in England and Wales, and in any other jurisdiction

My office 

Cotswolds Notary, my notarial practice, is based in the north Cotswolds, near to the historic and beautiful village of Broadway. Clients are welcome to attend my office for a meeting, which is located in a rural area, about 2 miles from the centre of Broadway.

However, if it is more convenient for you, I can travel to attend a meeting on-site / at your home, although I will require access to wifi and an electrical socket.

Legal background 

I undertook my notarial legal training, between 2018-2019 and 2020-2021, at University College London www.ucl.ac.uk. 

Since 2010, I have been a solicitor of England and Wales. I previously worked in London and Surrey as a solicitor, practising in the areas of litigation and employment law. I became a specialist legal expert in employment law, dealing with contentious and non-contentious matters, advising both employer and employee clients.

Academic qualifications

I graduated from university with a 2.1 BA (honours) in Politics, in 2003. I subsequently undertook post graduate legal qualifications, the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course, and was awarded a LLB in 2007. Legal academics undertaken between 2005 and 2007 at The College of Law of England and Wales, the institution now known as The University of Law www.law.ac.uk. 

Commercial experience 

I have assisted with business ventures in Brazil, Croatia and France. As a result, I have had dealings with foreign lawyers and notaries in overseas jurisdictions, and have previously instructed notary publics in London. This experience has been invaluable, as I have acquired commercial awareness of the complexities and formalities required when undertaking legal transactions abroad.

My role 

As a notary public and commissioner of oaths my role is that of a public certifying officer. I am not providing legal advice on the transaction that is being undertaken. Instead it is my role to authenticate and certify the execution of documents required or intended for use abroad.

I shall liaise with the instructed foreign counsel in the overseas jurisdiction to ensure that the documents presented for execution are in the correct legal format to comply with English law.

If a document is in a foreign language OR dual languages (a foreign language together with English) then it will be necessary for an official translator to verify the text, as I must be satisfied as to its accuracy and meaning.

I charge my fees on a fixed fee basis.

All disbursements, including but not limited to translation costs, courier fees, postage, and Apostille legalisation (and further Embassy legalisation, if required) are expenses paid by the client.

Please do send me an email with your enquiry, and I endeavour to respond in a timely manner. If I am unable to assist, I shall pass on your enquiry to another notary public, who might be able to help, or direct you to the ‘find a notary’ search facility on the Faculty Office website.