Permanently allowing for the electronic signing of statutory declarations and affidavits would build on temporary changes made during COVID-19 that provided for witnessing of affidavits to occur remotely by audio-visual link.
Expanding this change to statutory declarations and making it permanent will align SA with other jurisdictions and save people time and costs potentially involved in travelling to meet with authorised witnesses in person.
The change will also help those living in regional and remote areas where there is limited access to lawyers and trusted persons who are eligible to sign and witness statutory declarations and affidavits.
Consultation on the proposed changes is expected later this year.
As put by Kyam Maher
It’s often easier for South Australians living in metropolitan areas to find the legal practitioners or trusted persons needed to witness signings of affidavits or statutory declarations.
However, for people in regional and remote areas it can be a time consuming and costly task.
The proposed changes will make this process easier, with important safeguards in place, which will benefit businesses and individuals alike.
