Administrative scrivener
Administrative scriveners (行政書士 gyōsei shoshi), also known as gyosei-shoshi lawyers (certified administrative procedures specialists), form a legal profession in Japan.
The primary occupation of administrative scriveners is to prepare and draft not only filings to the national government, local governments or government agencies, but also other documents related to rights, liabilities and evidence of facts (i.e. legal documents not for court cases), for compensation at the request of others. Administrative scriveners have a monopoly on this practice under Japanese law.
Administrative scriveners may also give advice on the preparation of such documents, one of the few exceptions to the attorney at law's monopoly on giving "legal advice" for compensation.
Attorneys at law, certified public accountants, patent attorneys and tax attorneys are automatically qualified to register as administrative scriveners. Any person who has worked in an "administrative position" at a government agency for 20 years is also entitled to the qualification. The third way to become an administrative scrivener is to pass an examination administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which tests knowledge of the Constitution, Civil Code, Commercial Code and Administrative Code.
Administrative scriveners must maintain a membership in the administrative scrivener association ( 行政書士会 , gyōsei shoshi kai ) for the prefecture in which they work.
Administrative scriveners are found in a variety of roles. Many specialize in immigration matters, wills, inheritances, motor vehicle registrations, Development approvals, articles of incorporation, company minutes, etc.
