Legal Definitions - notarius

A notarius is a person who performs various legal duties, such as recording proceedings, taking dictation, and preparing contracts. The term comes from the Latin word "nota," which means a character or mark.

• A notarius in ancient Rome was a writer who took dictation or recorded proceedings by shorthand. They were sometimes slaves.
• In Roman law, a notarius was an officer of the court who took a magistrate's dictation by shorthand.
• Historically, a notarius was an officer who prepared deeds and other contracts.
• Today, a notary public is a type of notarius who is authorized to witness and certify the signing of legal documents.

These examples illustrate the different roles and responsibilities of a notarius throughout history. From recording proceedings in ancient Rome to preparing legal documents today, a notarius has played an important role in the legal system.