Four sets of temporary regulations created during COVID-19 that permit the remote witnessing of certain documents will be made permanent.聽
These include: The Land Titles (Remote Witnessing) Amendment Regulations, 2020; The Powers of Attorney (Remote Witnessing) Amendment Regulations, 2020; The Electronic Information and Documents (Remote Witnessing) Amendment Regulations, 2020;聽and聽The Wills Regulations.
These regulations allow lawyers to commission sworn documents and witness land registry applications, powers of attorney and other documents remotely using electronic means.聽
These regulations also permit the remote witnessing of wills using electronic means, where one of the two required witnesses is a lawyer.
鈥淐ontinuing to allow these documents to be signed remotely will increase access to the justice system through the use of technology,鈥� Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said.
In the past, the lawyer was required to be physically present to witness the client signing the wills, power of attorney or land registry application.
More information on wills and estates can be found at聽.
