The Government have confirmed there will be no further extension to legislation that permits the remote witnessing of Wills. The special measure was announced in July 2020 in response to the national lockdowns which prevented face-to-face contact during the Covid-19 pandemic.
You may have heard many stories of Wills being witnessed through kitchen windows, or from one side of a garden to another during the pandemic. The legislation was designed to allow Wills to be witnessed via video, although this was intended to be used only as a last resort where in-person witnessing could not be achieved.
On 1st February 2024, the House of Commons confirmed the legislation will not be extended beyond 31st January 2024. The law therefore remains that a Testator (the person making the Will) must sign their Will in the presence of two witnesses.
If you would like to prepare a Will, please contact a member of our Probate team who will be happy to discuss this with you.
