To Law Students/Graduates:

Hello, I was hoping to find 2 local solicitors who would be willing to sign my deed poll, but unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out. Here are some information about deed polls:
link 1
link 2

I have prepared an unenrolled deed poll and I planned to visit solicitors for their signatures. While this document can be signed by anyone—family, friends, or strangers—I chose to seek out 2 legal professionals for my peace of mind, as this document will support applications such as my job applications.

However, fees charged by local solicitors are beyond my budget, which is why I had trouble finding assistance locally. Although it’s not much, I can manage to pay about £10-£20.

**Is there anyone studying to become a solicitor who could help?** I’ve been hesitant to share this here, since it’s a very personal matter. If you need more details, please don’t hesitate to send me a DM. Thank you!

P.S. I created my account just yesterday. I think according to the rules, it must be at least 3 days old before I can send private messages...!

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 1

Stiffy Byng

Original post by Kd_0

Hello, I was hoping to find 2 local solicitors who would be willing to sign my deed poll, but unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out. Here are some information about deed polls:
link 1
link 2
I have prepared an unenrolled deed poll and intended to visit solicitors for their signatures. While this document can be signed by anyone—family, friends, or strangers—I chose to seek out 2 legal professionals for my peace of mind, as this document will support applications such as my job applications and help me secure a job.
However, some solicitors charge fees, which is why I had trouble finding assistance locally. Although it’s not much, I can manage to pay between £10-£20.
**Is there anyone studying to become a solicitor who could help?** I’ve been hesitant to share this here, since it’s a very personal matter, but I have no choice. If you need more details, please don’t hesitate to send me a DM. Thank you!

All solicitors charge fees. They are professional services providers, and professional services have a cost. Solicitors will sometimes work work without charge pro bono publico (for the public good. Executing or witnessing a document such as a deed poll is not the sort of thing which most lawyers would choose to do pro bono.

In any event, you don't need a deed poll to change your name, and there is no requirement to have any form of deed witnessed by a solicitor. Having a deed poll signed by a solicitor adds nothing to the legal effect of the document. Having a document signed by a law student similarly adds nothing.

You can use any name you wish, at any time, so long as you don't use a name to commit fraud.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

Kd_0

Original post by Stiffy Byng

All solicitors charge fees. They are professional services providers, and professional services have a cost. Solicitors will sometimes work work without charge pro bono publico (for the public good. Executing or witnessing a document such as a deed poll is not the sort of thing which most lawyers would choose to do pro bono.
In any event, you don't need a deed poll to change your name, and there is no requirement to have any form of deed witnessed by a solicitor. Having a deed poll signed by a solicitor adds nothing to the legal effect of the document. Having a document signed by a law student similarly adds nothing.
You can use any name you wish, at any time, so long as you don't use a name to commit fraud.

It's a big step that will affect my entire life, so I was determined to have legal professionals/law students sign it, to make sure it will be accepted without issues at every stage of my life. I'll look up 'pro bono publico'. But I think it's time to move forward some other way! Thanks!

Reply 3

Stiffy Byng

Original post by Kd_0

I reiterate: having the document signed by a solicitor will make no difference at all. Having the document signed by a law student will make no difference at all. A law student is just a student studying law. Nether a lawyer nor a law student possesses any magical powers. Nobody is going to look at a document and say "I would not have accepted that if it had not been signed by some random person who was doing law at some random university twenty years ago."

If you really want something super duper, you have to apply to the High Court to "enroll" the deed, and the court charges about fifty quid for doing that.

Pro bono publico simply means "for the public good". It is the term used by lawyers to describe working without charge, usually for something such as a charitable cause or a political cause. Pro bono work doesn't usually involve churning out routine documents. When not choosing to work pro bono, lawyers charge for the work which they do. That is reasonable, because that is their business.

If you wish for a deed poll, execute one, but you don't need one unless, for example, you wish to obtain a passport in a name other than your given name. You can call yourself any name you like. Many people who change their names change them back again after a few years.

Any adult can witness the deed for you. There is no magic attached to the process.