Witnessing the Execution of a Will
On 10 March 2015, Australia acceded to the Convention Providing a Uniform Law on the Form of an International Will 1973 (International Will Convention). All Australian states and territories have passed legislation to give effect to the convention.
Australian consular or diplomatic officers cannot witness International Wills. An Australian legal practitioner or Australian Notary Public must witness an International Will drawn up in Australia. To create one overseas, it must be drawn up under the laws of the foreign country.
The Australian Consulate and Embassy in Switzerland are unable to provide legal advice or become involved in Swiss legal proceedings. We can direct you to the following websites:
- Swiss Bar Association: Where you can search for a lawyer by canton, language, and area of specialisation.
- Fédération Suisse des Notaires: Where you can search for a Swiss Notary by canton and language.
- Swiss Federal Office of Justice: The FOJ is responsible for legislative matters pertaining to constitutional and administrative law, private law and criminal law.
Further information on what help we may provide and what we can’t do for Australians overseas can be found on Smartraveller - Consular Service Charter.