Definitions
1.nounA lawyer of noncontentious private civil law who drafts, takes, and records legal instruments for private parties, and provides legal advice, but does not appear in court on clients' behalf.
2.noun(common law) A notary public, a legal practitioner who prepares, attests to, and certifies documents, witnesses affidavits, and administers oaths.
3.nounA lay notary public, who serves as an impartial witness to the signing of important documents, but who is not authorised to practise law.