Any future digital wills process that allows video-witnessing must contain appropriate safeguards to protect against fraud or undue influence, the Law Society has said – following the end of Covid-related legislation that permitted video-witnessing.
The government confirmed last week that legislation during Covid permitting wills to be video-witnessed would not be extended.
The legislation, introduced in September 2020, amended the Wills Act 1837 to stipulate that where wills must be signed in the presence of at least two witnesses, their presence can be physical or virtual.
The temporary legislation was extended in February 2022. However, with in-person witnessing of wills no longer subject to restrictions, the government announced last week it was not extending the legislation beyond 31 January.
