Origin and development of the office. Functions, powers, duties and qualification of notaries. The Court of Faculties. Classes, appointment and training of notaries. Formalities of a notarial act. The evidentiary status of notarial acts. Bills of exchange, promissory notes and cheques. Powers of attorney. Affidavits, declarations and ship protests. Bond and debenture stock operations and share issue ballots. Execution and proof of documents for use outside the United Kingdom. Precedents.