Court of Appeal decision restricts the mysterious Donatio Mortis Causa exception to the Wills Act
Since the Wills Act 1837 there have been strict laws on how property can be passed when someone dies; anyone who has made a will should have been told about the requirements for executing the will to ensure its validity. Even before 1837, the Statute of Frauds 1677 set down provisions relating to wills having to be in writing. On top of this, there are strict rules on agreements to transfer land having to be in writing, and (since the Law of Property Act 1925) executed by deed. Continue reading →