The Rules of the Supreme Court (Northern Ireland) (Revision) 1980

Personal Applications

3.—(1) A personal applicant may apply for a grant otherwise than by post at the Office or any branch office.

(2) A personal applicant may not apply through an agent, whether paid or unpaid, and may not be attended by any person acting or appearing to act as his adviser.

(3) No personal application shall be received or proceeded with if—

(a) it becomes necessary to bring the matter before the Court on motion or by action;

(b) an application has already been made by a solicitor on behalf of the applicant and has not been withdrawn;

(c) the Master otherwise directs.

(4) After a will has been deposited in the Office or any branch office by a personal applicant, it may not be delivered to the applicant or to any other person unless in special circumstances the Master so directs.

(5) A personal applicant shall produce a certificate of the death of the deceased or such other evidence of the death as the Master may approve.

(6) A personal applicant shall supply all information necessary to enable the papers leading to the grant to be prepared in the Office or branch office as the case may be, or may himself prepare such papers and lodge them unsworn.

(7) Unless the Master otherwise directs, every oath, affidavit or guarantee required on a personal application (other than a guarantee given by a corporation in accordance with rule 38), shall be sworn or executed by all the deponents or sureties before an authorised officer.

(8) No legal advice shall be given to a personal applicant by any officer of the Office or branch office and every such officer shall be responsible only for embodying in proper form the applicant's instructions for the grant.