Who is David?
David provides wide experience in all aspects of the law accumulated over many years. Formerly a partner in the firm and later a consultant David is now retired as a practicing lawyer but remains a barrister and solicitor on the Roll and continues as a Notary Public. During his 45-year career as a practicing lawyer David offered a wide range of legal services and had a special interest the law concerning trusts, estate planning, succession matters, and client’s personal affairs, and property, business, and commercial law.
Often remembered for what were his regular ‘talk back’ sessions broadcast nationally over 24 years on Sunday mornings on NewsTalk ZB, first with Ruud Kleinpaste (the “Bug Man”) and later Kerre Woodham, answering listeners’ legal queries on air ‘cold’. The usually lively discussions that ensued were informative and even entertaining (thanks in part sometimes to the ‘contributions’ of the presenters), and the feedback was always positive and considered helpful.
The Best Part of the Job
In his role as a Notary Public he attends on clients of the firm and members of the public at the firms offices and from his workspace at his home at Omaha Beach.
David retains an interest in the law albeit as an observer but does if asked help at an initial stage of a problem or issue, and guides people to appropriate professionals in the firm or elsewhere depending on the need.
As well David continues to provide his skills and experience in governance, administration, fund raising and some legal matters, on a pro bono basis to community organisations particularly conservation and environmental groups and his local surf lifesaving club.
Why Law?
Many people ask, “what and why a Notary Public”? The office of a notary is one of great antiquity tracing its origins back to ancient Rome when they were called scribae, notarius or tabellius. Notaries are easily the oldest continuing branch of the legal profession, existing throughout the world. David’s appointment is for life.
Today a Notary Public is at the time of appointment by the Archbishop of Canterbury in England a lawyer, who is then authorised most commonly to officially witness signatures on legal documents, take sworn statements, administer oaths and declarations, and certify the authenticity of copies of documents for use overseas. Other functions include the preparation and witnessing of international business and personal contract, deeds, wills, powers of attorney and ships’ protests.
Quite different from Justices of the Peace who can witness and certify copies only of local documents, David deals exclusively with overseas documentation in accordance with incredibly old traditions and a Hague Convention. He has a unique Seal that is affixed to all documents he signs or certifies making them internationally accepted.
Click here to read an interesting article about the origins of the Notary Public.
Outside Work
As a resident of the Matakana/Omaha area David will meet with applicants for notarial services at his home but also for those further away at this firm’s Warkworth offices, and in special circumstances in other locations and at an applicant’s home or workplace.