The Attorney-General’s Department has introduced video conferencing to facilitate legal transactions that usually require face-to-face meetings to deal with Coronavirus social distancing requirements.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’Ath said laws passed in State Parliament allowed for more flexible arrangements to conduct important and pressing legal transactions.
“There are a number of requirements across the statute book as well as the common law which requires a thing to be done in person,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“This includes the witnessing of documents, attendance at meetings or a visit or inspection by an authorised person of a particular site.
She said that social distancing requirements and other COVID-19-related restrictions made it difficult or impossible to meet those requirements safely or on time.
“That’s why we’ve put in place alternative arrangements for how documents are made, meetings are held and attendances are conducted,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“Modified arrangements could include allowing meetings to be held or inspections carried out using audio-visual technology for example.”
She said the making of documents such as wills, general powers of attorney, enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives, statutory declarations, deeds and many other types of documents were also available under the modified arrangements.
“This is about giving certainty to the legal profession and ensuring the community can continue to conduct important legal affairs, particularly with respect to end-of-life decision-making and estate planning,” the Attorney-General said.
