E1

Part IV Wills

Amendments of Wills Act 1837

17 Relaxation of formal requirements for making wills. C1

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.