Administration of Justice Act 1982

17 Relaxation of formal requirements for making wills. U.K.

The following section shall be substituted for section 9 of the Wills Act 1837—

“9 Signing and attestation of wills.

No will shall be valid unless—

(a) it is in writing, and signed by the testator, or by some other person in his presence and by his direction; and

(b) it appears that the testator intended by his signature to give effect to the will; and

(c) the signature is made or acknowledged by the testator in the presence of two or more witnesses present at the same time; and

(d) each witness either—

(i) attests and signs the will; or

(ii) acknowledges his signature,

in the presence of the testator (but not necessarily in the presence of any other witness),

but no form of attestation shall be necessary.”.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 The text of s. 4, 6(1)(2), 14(1)(2)(4), 15(1)(3)(6), 16–19, 28(7), 34, 35, 49–54, 56–59, 61, 63–67, 69(1)(2), 70, 72(1), 75, Sch. 1 Pts. I, III, IV, Sch. 3 Pt. III para. 7, Sch. 4 Pt. I, Sch. 6 paras. 2–9, Sch. 7 Pts. I, II, Sch. 7 Pt. III paras 2, 3, Sch. 8, Sch. 9 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.