PEXA will not be available for settlements on 8 June 2020 due to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) being closed for a public holiday in both NSW and Victoria, even though this is not a public holiday in Queensland. 

The Justice Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response—Documents and Oaths) Regulation 2020 is a welcomed regulation dealing with the electronic signing and witnessing of a number of additional types of documents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes affidavits, statutory declarations, deeds, general powers of attorney and certain mortgage documents.

Lexon released a risk alert on 22 May publishing the Cyber Protocol which commences on 1 July 2020 and further audio-visual options in Wills and EPA matters following amendments published to the Justice Legislation (COVID-19 Emergency Response Documents and Oaths) Regulation 2020 which also affects a number of different documents. Practitioners are warned that an audio-visual option under this Regulation should only be used as a last resort.