Signing your Will/Codicil using video calling

Published: 29/07/2020
Written by Curwens Solicitors

It has now been confirmed that the UK Government is introducing legislation to allow people to use video-conferencing technology for the witnessing of Wills being made. Temporary legislation is to be introduced to deal with people using video calling to witness a Will being executed where it is not possible for the witnesses to be in their physical presence.

The legislation will be retrospective; applying to Wills executed after 31 January 2020 (with an exception for cases where a Grant of Probate has already been issued and where the application is already in the process of being administered) and shall have effect until 31 January 2022.

The type of video-conferencing or device used is not important, as long as the person making the Will and their two witnesses each have a clear line of sight of the writing of the signature

A suggested step by step process has been published by the Ministry of Justice giving clarification of the process however this should only be utilised where it becomes impractical for one or both witnesses to be physically present when the Will maker is in a position to sign the Will.

The advice remains that where people can make Wills in the conventional way they should continue to do so.

Contact our Private Client Solicitors

For more information about how to prepare a Will, how to sign your Will and the options available contact our Private Client Department.

 

Please note that our briefings are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal advice.

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