When attesting a document the notary checks the identity of the person concerned and certifies that a signature is actually this person's signature. However, the notary's contribution is not limited to establishing identity. As attestations are required primarily in legal relations with public registers - particularly for applications for registration in the land register and commercial register - the notary performs an important practical function as middleman between the parties concerned and the register. Often the notary is instructed also to draft the application to be attested to ensure that the register receives the information required by law completely and correctly. By performing this filter function the notary also helps to lighten the workload of the judiciary. The continuing expansion of electronic data interchange is increasing the practical importance of the part played by the notary.