The guidelines below have been issued by the DIFC Wills Service Centre regarding Will Registration at this time.

In line with the UAE Government initiatives and effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 infections, the DIFC Wills Service Centre will still be operational but will adhere to a work-from-home policy.

All will registrations will be done over the video conferencing until further notice. The Testator and two witnesses will be required to sign the will at their location during a video conferencing call with an Authroised officer form DIFC Wills Service.

If you choose to go ahead with the video conferencing registration, please be aware of the following requirements:

• You must also have two witnesses present who are able to sign the will as witnesses. The witnesses should not be beneficiaries or guardians in the will or the spouses of beneficiaries or guardians in the will. Your executors may act as your witnesses if they are eligible. Your witnesses must be over the age of 21 years and they must show their photographic ID during the video conferencing registration.

• No beneficiaries of the will or spouses of beneficiaries of the will should be present in the room with you during the video conferencing call

• Please ensure that you have a laptop with stable internet connection. Mobile (3G or 4G) internet connections are not accepted

• Please ensure that you also have another touch screen device on hand to complete your electronic signature during the call using either a stylus pen or just your finger e.g. an apple or android touch screen mobile phone or iPad.

• Please note that all video conferencing registrations will be recorded so by booking this appointment you are agreeing to being recorded Before you proceed with the booking of your appointment, please make sure that you have the following set of documents available to upload on our system:

1. Draft will
2. Clear copy of your passport (and Emirates ID if applicable)
3. Clear copy of your witnesses’ ID’s ( passport or any other form of ID front and back if using Emirates ID)
4. Signed and dated Guardianship Witness Statements (if applicable).

Soma Gardi is the founding partner of SG Legal Consultants FZC, a specialised niche firm providing a bespoke service for clients requiring a DIFC Will. Please contact soma@sglegalconsultants.com for any further information.