Scrivener notaries belong to the general notarial profession. However, they form a discrete and highly qualified branch within it. Having qualified first as general notaries, scrivener notaries go on to obtain their scrivener qualifications while undertaking a training contract with a scrivener notary firm or by undertaking a period of supervision by a scrivener notary. Scrivener notaries are trained in advanced aspects of notarial practice and at least two foreign languages. The purpose of this legal and linguistic qualification process is to ensure that scrivener notaries are leaders in the field of notarial services in the context of international transactions, something which is demanded in London due to its status as a world leading hub for cross-border business.