The court retried an action disputing the validity of the will, new evidence having emerged post trial. The doubtful signature was explained by witnesses who said that he had been assisted. Held: The matter might have been handled better, but the testator knew the contents of his will, and signed it. Judges: Vos J Citations: … Continue reading Barrett v Bem and Others: ChD 19 May 2011

The testatrix had signed her name by the attestation clause before it was witnessed. Held: A pre-signed will, on which the testator’s earlier signature was then acknowledged before a witness, and if there was appropriate evidence of her intention to give effect to the will, satisfied the UK law’s attestation requirements. The court is to … Continue reading Weatherhill v Pearce: ChD 7 Nov 1994