OUR CODE OF ETHICS

This code, comprising of Ten Principles, is sponsored by the Governing Council of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association (PCLNA). It is a reflection of the way in which all members of The Association should conduct their business according to rigorous ethical, fair, professional and legal standards.

It flows from our determination to:
Be fair
Be transparent
Be accountable
Be honest
Be cautious
Be thorough
Be law abiding
Be mindful of the confidentiality of that with which we are entrusted
Protect and enhance the reputation of this Association and its members.

Principle 1- Responsibility and Accountability
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are personally responsible and accountable for their actions or omissions, as are their employees and other persons paid to assist an investigation. It must be ensured that the latter adhere to this Code of Ethics and Professional Standards.

Principle 2 - Honesty and Integrity
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to act with honesty, integrity and must not compromise their position, that of this Association or any of their clients.

Principle 3 - Caution and Thoroughness
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to verify the credentials of clients to ensure that they have are who they proclaim to be to insure that all documents are completed appropriately.

Principle 4 - Conflict of Interest
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association having a personal or conflicting interest in any matter in which they are involved shall disclose that interest, if it is in conflict with the interests of their clients.

Principle 5 - Acting within the Law
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to obey the law and refrain from carrying out any act that they know, or ought to know, is unlawful, or contrary to The Associations policy.

Principle 6 - Authority, Respect and Courtesy
No member of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association is to abuse their position and must respect the rights of all individuals.

All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to act with self control and tolerance, treating everyone with whom they come into contact, during the course of their activities, with respect, fairness and courtesy.

Principle 7 - Equality
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to act with fairness and impartiality. They will not discriminate unlawfully on the grounds of sex, race, color, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, disability, age, sexual orientation, property, birth or other status.

Principle 8 - Confidentiality
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to treat information with which they are entrusted during the course of business with respect and access or disclose it only for the purposes for which it is intended; attending to all instructions within the principles of the prevailing privacy legislation and in particular if controlling personal data to be so notified with the Information Commissioner.

Principle 9 - General Conduct
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are to act in a professional manner.

They must not behave in a manner which brings, or is likely to bring, discredit upon The Association or any of their clients, or act in a way that undermines or is likely to undermine confidence in the Association or that of any of their clients.

Principle 10 - Challenging and Reporting Improper Conduct
All members of The Professional Civil Law Notary Association are expected to challenge and when appropriate take action or report breaches of this code and the improper conduct of colleagues.