yeah your right, Teachers can, as obviously can Docs, I also know that professional trades can, as i'm allowed to sign passports, as it seems to be my second trade around here... 
  Found this on the web; 
 ACCEPTABLE COUNTERSIGNATURES 
 Accountant 
 Articled Clerk of a Limited Company 
 Assurance Agent of Recognised Company 
 Bank/Building Society Official 
 Barrister 
 Broker 
 Chairman/Director of Limited Company 
 Chemist 
 Chiropodist 
 Christian Science Practitioner 
 Commissioner of Oaths 
 Councillor: Local or County 
 Civil Servant (permanent) 
 Dentist 
 Engineer (with professional Qualifications) 
 Fire Service Official 
 Funeral Director 
 Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised Company 
 Journalist 
 Justice of the Peace 
 Legal Secretary (members and fellows of the Institute of legal secretaries) 
 Local Government Officer 
 Manager/Personnel Officer (of Limited Company) 
 Member of Parliament 
 Merchant Navy Officer 
 Minister of a recognised religion 
 Nurse (SRN and SEN) 
 Officer of the armed services (Active or Retired) 
 Optician 
 Paramedic (state registered) 
 Person with Honours (eg OBE MBE etc) 
 Photographer (Professional) 
 Police Officer 
 Post Office Official 
 President/Secretary of a recognised organisation 
 Salvation Army Officer 
 Social Worker 
 Solicitor 
 Surveyor 
 Teacher, Lecturer 
 Trade Union Officer 
 Travel Agency (Qualified) 
 Valuers and auctioneers (fellow and associate members of the incorporated society) 
 Warrant officers and Chief Petty Officers  
 Hope it helps? 
 Steve
