丁香园AV

Roman Svirshchevs鈥檏yy, Notary Public, recalls a specific moment in his first semester of the Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MA ALS) program at 丁香园AV, the prerequisite program to becoming a Notary in British Columbia. He recalls a professor describing the uniqueness of the Notary profession because it encompasses 鈥渉appy law.鈥�

Since Notaries in B.C. only address non-contentious issues, their clients are rarely in a win-or-lose situation. Instead, 鈥渆veryone gets what they expected to get,鈥� says Svirshchevs鈥檏yy. 鈥淣ormally, when a real estate transaction goes through, you are acting for the buyer or the seller and everybody is happy and excited,鈥� explains Svirshchevs鈥檏yy. 鈥淚 think that part is amazing.鈥�

Svirshchevs鈥檏yy enjoys notarizing real estate transactions and has aptly tailored his Langley Notary practice to meet the demand of the B.C. housing market. 鈥淟ast year was extremely busy for real estate,鈥� says Svirshchevs鈥檏yy, 鈥淭he market is crazy right now!鈥� Svirshchevs鈥檏yy estimates 75 to 80 per cent of his practice involves real estate transactions including purchases, sales, refinancing, and private mortgages. The remaining portion of his services includes wills, estates, and general notarizations.

Originally a customs officer from Ukraine, Svirshchevs鈥檏yy moved to Canada in 2009 but had long been interested in the Notary practice. 鈥淓ven back in Ukraine, I saw Notary as a great profession,鈥� he says.

While completing the challenging MA ALS course load in his second language, Svirshchevs鈥檏yy worked full time as a Notary assistant to enhance his practical knowledge. He also became a father and managed life with a newborn at home. Svirshchevs鈥檏yy laughs when he looks back at this defining period of his life, admitting he had apprehensions about whether he could do it all. 

At graduation, Svirshchevs鈥檏yy鈥檚 determination to succeed was evident. He won the Professor Reid Award, the Do Process Award, and the Real Estate Institute of B.C. Award for the highest marks in property, conveyancing, and contract examinations. He also won the prestigious Dr. Bernard W. Hoeter award for highest marks on all Notarial statutory examinations. Svirshchevs鈥檏yy describes his receipt of these awards with humility. 鈥淢aybe I just got lucky. I didn鈥檛 expect that at all,鈥� he says with a laugh.  

Svirshchevs鈥檏yy recommends a career as a Notary in B.C. and indicates there is ample work available, particularly in smaller communities outside of the Lower Mainland.

Svirshchevs鈥檏yy celebrates the cultural diversity and equity of opportunity within B.C.鈥檚 current Notary practice. Prior to 2008, Notaries in B.C. were governed by a seal system that limited the number of practicing Notaries. When a Notary retired, they would pass their existing seal to a new Notary of their choice. 鈥淣ow you need to take the Master of Arts in Applied Legal Studies program, which is a much more professional and educational approach, similar to becoming a lawyer,鈥� says Svirshchevs鈥檏yy. He champions the current qualification system as it ensures the Notary practice is open to anyone willing to put in the effort.

鈥淚 think it is an amazing opportunity to get into something huge, especially for someone like myself who is an immigrant,鈥� says Svirshchevs鈥檏yy. 鈥淵ou are a professional, it鈥檚 your own business, and as long as you work hard, the achievement is great.鈥�

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