Preserving Tradition, Embracing Change:

A New Chapter for the Notaries’ Society of South
Australia

Louis Leventis, President

I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by my fellow Notaries Public and look forward to working with our newly elected Council in advancing the interests of the Society, its members and the notarial profession more broadly.

At the outset, I wish to acknowledge our immediate past President, Roy Hasda, for his leadership, dedication and contribution to the Society. I am particularly pleased that Roy will continue to be involved in an honorary capacity, allowing us to benefit from his considerable experience and knowledge. I also congratulate my fellow Council members on their appointments and look forward to working collaboratively with them, together with our Director of Studies, Dr Ricky Lee, in pursuing the Society’s objectives.

A Distinguished Profession in an Evolving World

The office of Notary Public is one of the oldest continuing institutions of the legal profession, with a history extending back many centuries.

Its enduring relevance is founded upon independence, integrity, authenticity and public confidence.

While those principles remain unchanged, the world in which we practise has evolved considerably.

International commerce, migration, cross-border transactions, foreign legal proceedings, digital documentation and increasingly complex international regulatory requirements have all contributed to the changing nature of notarial practice.

Documents prepared and executed in South Australia may ultimately be presented before courts, government authorities, financial institutions and other organisations in jurisdictions throughout the world.

The responsibilities associated with those documents should never be underestimated.

As Notaries Public, we must remain conscious not only of the formalities involved in performing a notarial act, but also of the professional judgment, independence and responsibility that underpin our work. Tradition provides the foundation of our profession. Education, engagement and a willingness to embrace change will help secure its future.

More Than a Signature and a Seal

One matter I believe deserves greater attention is the continuing misconception that the role of a Notary Public is simply to witness signatures or certify documents in much the same way as a Justice of the Peace or Commissioner for taking affidavits.

While those offices perform important functions within our legal system, the office of Notary Public is distinct.

Notarial practice frequently involves the authentication of documents, verification of identities, certification of facts and transactions, administration of oaths and the preparation of notarial certificates intended for use and recognition internationally.

The nature and extent of the enquiries required will depend upon the particular notarial act being performed.

A Notary Public must exercise independent professional judgment and be satisfied that there is an appropriate basis for the matters being certified.

The significance of the office therefore extends well beyond the physical act of witnessing a signature or applying a seal.

The value of a notarial act is not measured by the time it takes to apply a seal, but by the professional qualifications, independent judgment and responsibility that give that seal its authority.

I believe we have an important collective responsibility to promote a better understanding of this distinction, both within the legal profession and among the wider community.

A More Active, Relevant and Informative Society

As I commence my presidency, one of my principal objectives is to strengthen the relevance and value of the Society to its members.

Our Society should be more than an organisation that maintains a register of Notaries Public, conducts meetings and provides general information about notarial services.

It should also be an active and accessible source of professional education, practical guidance, discussion and support.

We are fortunate to have members with considerable professional knowledge and experience. That collective expertise is one of our greatest resources, and I believe we should make greater use of it.

I would like to see our Society communicating more regularly with members, addressing contemporary issues affecting notarial practice and encouraging greater professional engagement.

This does not require us to abandon our traditions or fundamentally change the character of the Society.

Rather, it requires us to build upon its existing foundations and ensure that it continues to serve the needs of a modern profession.

Introducing “From the President’s Desk”

This inaugural editorial marks the commencement of a new initiative that I intend to develop during my presidency.

Through “From the President’s Desk”, I propose to publish regular articles addressing matters of interest and relevance to Notaries Public in South Australia.

My intention is to provide regular editorials exploring professional issues, emerging developments, practical challenges and matters affecting the future of notarial practice.

I also hope to introduce a complementary series of Notarial Practice Notes, dealing with specific issues that arise in the everyday work of Notaries Public.

Potential topics include:

• The distinction between notarial acts and other forms of document witnessing and certification;
• Apostilles, authentication and the requirements of foreign jurisdictions;
• Foreign-language documents and the importance of reliable translations;
• Powers of Attorney and other instruments intended for overseas use;
• Verification of identity and the exercise of independent notarial judgment;
• Electronic documents, digital signatures and remote notarisation;
• Professional ethics, responsibilities and standards of practice; and
• Developments in Australian and international notarial practice.

These publications are intended to be informative and educational, encouraging professional reflection and the sharing of knowledge rather than prescribing a single approach to every circumstance.

I also hope they will encourage members to raise questions, suggest topics and contribute their own experiences and perspectives.

Strengthening Professional Education and Collaboration

Professional education will remain an important priority.

Although Notaries Public in South Australia are experienced legal practitioners, the specialised nature of notarial work presents issues that are not necessarily encountered in ordinary legal practice.

International documentation requirements, foreign-language instruments, authentication procedures and developments in technology all warrant ongoing attention.

I would like to explore further opportunities for continuing professional development specifically directed towards notarial practice, working closely with our Director of Studies and Council.

There is also considerable value in strengthening our relationships with notarial organisations interstate and internationally.

The challenges we encounter are often shared by colleagues in other jurisdictions, and opportunities for collaboration and the exchange of professional knowledge should be encouraged.

Looking Ahead

I do not suggest that these initiatives will all be achieved immediately.

Meaningful progress requires planning, cooperation and the collective commitment of Council and members.

However, I believe we should be ambitious about what our Society can achieve.

I would like to see a Society that communicates more regularly, provides greater professional value to its members, actively promotes education and high standards of practice, and strengthens public awareness of the important role performed by Notaries Public. Above all, I would like our members to feel that the Society is relevant to their professional lives and that their membership represents more than simply an association with a distinguished institution.

An Invitation to Our Members

The strength of any professional organisation ultimately lies in the engagement of its members.

I encourage members to share their ideas, experiences and suggestions concerning the future direction of the Society.

If there are particular notarial issues you believe warrant discussion, topics you would like addressed in future editorials, or opportunities for improving the Society’s services, I would welcome your contributions.

Our collective knowledge and experience should be shared, developed and used to strengthen the profession for the benefit of both present and future Notaries Public.

The office of Notary Public has a distinguished past, but its future will depend upon our willingness to remain informed, engaged and responsive to change.

We should preserve the traditions that give our office its authority, while embracing the opportunities that will ensure its continued relevance.

I look forward to working with the Council and our members in pursuing that objective.

Louis Leventis
President
Notaries’ Society of South Australia Inc.
November 2026