Attestation - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition attestation

Definition :

Attestation, the signing by a witness to the signature of another of a statement that a document was signed in the presence of the witness. The (English) Criminal Procedure Act, 1865 (28 & 29 Vict. c. 18), s. 7 (applicable both to civil and criminal cases), renders it unnecessary to prove by the attesting witness any instrument to the validity of which attestation is not requisite, and such instrument may now be proved by admission, or otherwise, as if there had been no attesting witness. Wills and codicils (1 Vict. c. 26), warrants of attorney and cognovits (1 & 2 Vict. c. 110), agreements with crews of 'foreign-going' ships ((English) Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, s. 115), and bills of sale (see BILL OF SALE) require attestation.

As to the attestation of deeds in execution of certain powers of appointment, see (English) Law of Property Act, 1925, s. 159, replacing (English) Law of Property Amendment Act, 1859, s. 12.

As to attestation by a justice of the peace of the enlistment of a recruit, the attestation paper to be delivered to the recruiter, and the certified copy thereof to be furnished to a recruit at his request, see s. 80 of the (English) Army Act (44 & 45 Vict. c. 58), Chit. Stat., tit. 'Army.'