Robert Bond (robert.bond@bristows.com) is Partner & Notary Public at Bristows LLP in London, UK.

Over the centuries we have needed trust and assurance in our transactions as well as reliance upon valid signatures to contractual documents. For hundreds of years, in the paper world, that trust has been supported by a long-established framework of notaries, legalization under the apostille and consularization at embassies.

The long-established paper authentication process has obligated notaries to be regulated and accountable. Notaries carry professional indemnity insurance, are subject to consumer and data protection laws, and are trained to provide the reassurance around documentation and identity.