Definition : Private writing

Act signed by one or more parties, the purpose of which is to record an agreement or fact whose consequences are juridical. This type of act must be distinguished from the authentic act, as no notary or other public officer is involved in its reception. Private writings may, inter alia, record a power of attorney, a sale or a lease. However, private writings that must be published in the Québec Land Register require to be certified  by a notary or by a lawyer.