The Legislative Council Civil Code (Will-related Matters) Subcommittee announced the compilation of the "Interim Proposal for Amendment of Civil Code (Will-related Matters, etc.)" at its 11th meeting held on July 15, 2025.
This interim proposal presents the direction for civil code amendments regarding the validity and procedures of wills, based on issues identified in the current will system. The subcommittee has conducted deliberations over 11 meetings since the first meeting in April 2024, examining various aspects including testamentary capacity, will formalities, will validity, and relationships between bequests and inheritance. At the 11th meeting, the interim proposal was discussed based on subcommittee materials 11-1 to 11-3, and the final version was officially decided after modifications.
The Ministry of Justice has prepared supplementary explanatory materials with detailed explanations for each item and reference materials (conceptual diagrams) summarizing the examination process and main points to promote understanding of the interim proposal. These materials are published together with the main interim proposal, clearly presenting the specific direction and examination issues for system reform.
Simultaneously, the subcommittee appointed Taro Ogayu as the new deputy chairperson, establishing the deliberation structure for future proceedings. Public comment procedures for the interim proposal will be conducted until September 23, 2025, soliciting opinions from the general public. Based on these opinions, examination of the final amendment proposal will proceed.
The article indicates that the Legislative Council examination toward modernization of the will system has reached an important milestone, entering the stage of full-scale national discussion toward future legal amendments.