Sections 2(3) and 2A of the Wills Act of 1953 were incorporated into the Wills Act in 1992. The purpose of the two sections was to give the court power to condone a document that did not comply with the formalities for making a will and to empower a court to condone a legally ineffective attempt by a testator to revoke his or her will. By introducing section 2(3) and 2A of the Wills Act, the Legislature intended to eliminate the injustice and inequities which frequently resulted from non-compliance with legal requirements. However, after the implementation of the two sections, problems arose with regard to the interpretation and application thereof. This dissertation identifies and analyses the sections to show the current issues which have been discussed in case law and writings by scholars. They are as follows: <ul> (a) Meaning of the word “document” in section 2(3). (b) Meaning of “drafted” by a person who has died since the……drafting thereof. (c) Meaning of “executed” by a person who has died since the….. execution thereof. (d) Should there already be partial compliance with some of the formalities? (e) How does the court conclude that the deceased intended the document to be his will? (f) When must the intention be present? (g) Is a subsequent change in intention (even though it was present at time of making a document) relevant? (h) Interpretation of section 2A. (i) Interaction between section 2(3) and 2A. </ul> Comparing and analysing section 2(3) with a similar provision in Canada and Australia, gives an insight into the problems they encounter and measures that are implemented to achieve the purpose of the provision. Finally, this dissertation will make recommendations regarding the possible alternative wording of the relevant section(s). / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Private Law / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Title page in Afrikaans and English / Die verhandeling handel oor die howe se hantering van testamentere geskrifte wat nie aan die testamentsformaliteite voldoen nie. Die posisie voor die inwerkingtreding van artikel 2(3) word eerste bespreek. Daarna bespreek ek die wysigings wat aanbeveel is deur die regskommissie. Vervolgens bespreek ek die inwerkingtreding van artikel 2(3) wat aan die howe die bevoegdheid gee om 'n testamentere geskrif wat nie aan die formaliteite voldoen nie tot geldige testament te verhef. Die spesifieke probleemareas met die interpretasie van artikel 2(3) word uitgelig en in detail bespreek. Daarna maak ek 'n aanbeveling dat 'n handtekening of merk op 'n testamentere geskrif 'n drempelvereiste moet wees alvorens 'n hof dit kan kondoneer. Ek sluit af met 'n opinie oor hoe die artikel in die toekoms geinterpreteer behoort te word. / The dissertation is about the way in which the courts handle testamentary writings which do not comply with the formalities of a will. Firstly I discuss the position before the implementation of section 2(3). Thereafter I discuss the recommendations of the law commission. Then I discuss the implementation of section 2(3) which empowers the court to legalise a document which does not comply with the formal requirements of a will. The specific problem areas with regard to the interpretation of section 2(3) are highlighted and discussed in detail. Thereafter a recommendation is made that a signature or a mark on a testamentary writing must be a prerequisite before a court can consider condoning it. I conclude my dissertation with an opinion on how this section should be interpreted in the future. / Jurisprudence / LL. M. (Legum)

Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Title page in Afrikaans and English / Die verhandeling handel oor die howe se hantering van testamentere geskrifte wat nie aan die testamentsformaliteite voldoen nie. Die posisie voor die inwerkingtreding van artikel 2(3) word eerste bespreek. Daarna bespreek ek die wysigings wat aanbeveel is deur die regskommissie. Vervolgens bespreek ek die inwerkingtreding van artikel 2(3) wat aan die howe die bevoegdheid gee om 'n testamentere geskrif wat nie aan die formaliteite voldoen nie tot geldige testament te verhef. Die spesifieke probleemareas met die interpretasie van artikel 2(3) word uitgelig en in detail bespreek. Daarna maak ek 'n aanbeveling dat 'n handtekening of merk op 'n testamentere geskrif 'n drempelvereiste moet wees alvorens 'n hof dit kan kondoneer. Ek sluit af met 'n opinie oor hoe die artikel in die toekoms geinterpreteer behoort te word. / The dissertation is about the way in which the courts handle testamentary writings which do not comply with the formalities of a will. Firstly I discuss the position before the implementation of section 2(3). Thereafter I discuss the recommendations of the law commission. Then I discuss the implementation of section 2(3) which empowers the court to legalise a document which does not comply with the formal requirements of a will. The specific problem areas with regard to the interpretation of section 2(3) are highlighted and discussed in detail. Thereafter a recommendation is made that a signature or a mark on a testamentary writing must be a prerequisite before a court can consider condoning it. I conclude my dissertation with an opinion on how this section should be interpreted in the future. / Jurisprudence / LL. M. (Legum)