The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that it has temporarily legalised the witnessing of wills by video, in an update to legislation that is over 150 years old.
The amendment recognises the challenges presented by the Coronavirus crisis of witnessing wills in person due to social distancing requirements.
Dispensation has been given to enable us to witness your will in a socially distanced way by
- Witnessing the will through a window or an open door of a building or a vehicle,
- Witnessing the will from a corridor or an adjacent room with the door open,
- Witnessing the will outdoors from a short distance ie. the garden.
However in cases where it is impossible to witness the Will in person, this temporary measure will enable the witnessing by video and provide more freedom for clients, ensuring that they are able to create effective Wills whilst in isolation or quarantine that will be recognised in law if witnessed via video conferencing.
We must stress however that the guidance is clear that the preferred method of will witnessing continues to be in person and where possible this should be adopted.
And even in cases where wills have been witnessed via video, we urge the re-signing be completed in person as soon as is feasibly possible.
The amendment will remain in place as long as it is deemed necessary, provisionally until 31 January 2022.
We continue to offer telephone and video consultations as well as some home consultations provided a Covid-secure environment can be facilitated.
As providers of wills, lasting powers of attorney and trusts we can take care of all of this on your behalf. CP Law’s team of expert solicitors can guide you through the process. Speak to a member of our team today, contact us on 0345 2413100 or email us at mail@cplaw.co.uk.
