This Statutory Instrument has been published in substitution of the S.I. of the same number which did not reflect the version signed by the Minister due to paragraph formatting changes in article 3. It is therefore being issued free of charge to all known recipients of that Statutory Instrument.
Statutory Instruments
2020 No. 952
Administration Of Estates
The Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020
Made
4th September 2020
Laid before Parliament
7th September 2020
Coming into force in accordance with article 1
This Lord Chancellor, considering that the use of electronic communications for any purpose is such that the extent (if any) to which records of things done for that purpose will be available will be no less satisfactory in cases where use is made of electronic communications than in other cases, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 8 and 9 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000( 1 ), makes the following Order:
Citation and Commencement
Amendment of the Wills Act 1837
2. —(1)Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837( 2 ) is amended as follows.
(2) The existing text becomes subsection (1).
(3) After that subsection, insert—
“ (2) For the purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1), in relation to wills made on or after 31 January 2020 and on or before 31 January 2022, “presence” includes presence by means of videoconference or other visual transmission. ” .
Saving Provision
3. Nothing in this Order affects—
(a) any grant of probate made; or
(b) anything done pursuant to a grant of probate,
prior to this Order coming into force.
Robert Buckland
Lord Chancellor
Ministry of Justice
2000 c.7 .
1837 c.26 . Section 9 was substituted, in relation to England and Wales, by the Administration of Justice Act 1982 (c.53) , section 17, and repealed, in relation to Northern Ireland, by S.I. 1994/1899 .