LSB sets out options for ensuring the ongoing competence of lawyers
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed that it will develop and consult on a more robust approach to ensuring lawyers remain competent throughout their careers. In a new report published today, the LSB notes that while legal regulators have comprehensive measures to make sure that legal professionals are competent when entering the legal profession, […]
Should law firms rethink their agile working strategy?
2021 dawned with positive news for a change. With vaccination programs up and running in many parts of the country, there is a sense of optimism in the air, even as we continue to endure this latest lockdown. Most of us have gotten used to working from home by now – the ‘office at home’ […]
Emma Baddaley of Inheritance Data appears on Title Research podcast
In the latest episode of the Topical Talks podcast, Title Research was joined by Emma Baddaley, Director of Strategic Relationships at Inheritance Data. Emma Baddaley has worked extensively in the legal sector to provide a range of legal service solutions. She has regularly been part of the Wills and probate industry round table discussions and […]
Updated guidance on being a deputy or attorney during pandemic
The government has updated it’s guidance with regards to a person being a deputy or an attorney during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s recent update incorporates consent around medical treatments such as the Covid-19 vaccine. The updated guidance can be read HERE.
Rare competition cars confirmed Online Auction
Silverstone Auctions first sale of 2021 is The Race Retro Live Online Auction, taking place on Saturday 27th March. The lot list is shaping up magnificently with a number of unrepeatable competition cars, each with their own unique history going under the hammer in their next live online auction. This pale-green 1960 FIA Lotus 19 […]
AML Risks – why did I agree to be the MLRO?!
This is a question I ask myself many times each day since being appointed the MLRO for Weightmans in May 2020! Faced with the current economic uncertainties caused by the pandemic, Brexit, new AML risks identified by the SRA in its Risk Outlook 2020/2021 including the shift from face to face to on-line identification/verification procedures, […]
Finders International become CPD members
Probate genealogy firm Finders International are now members of the CPD Certification Service meaning that we adhere to the CPD guidelines and all Finders events will be view and processed for certification. The CPD was set up in 1996 and is seen as a “holistic commitment of professionals towards the enhancement of personal skills and […]
FREE Webinar: A Review of the Updated LSAG AML Guidance
If you’re an MLCO or MLRO, hopefully by now you have had chance to grab a copy of the latest LSAG Draft AML Guidance and started to thumb through its content. If you have, then you’ll have noted the many references to “Must”, “Should” and “May”. For those familiar with Lexcel and CQS, you’ll know […]
Certainty Will Search prevents possible inheritance dispute
The passing of a loved one can lead to disputes within the family as to whether the deceased had written a Will or if there is a later Will in existence. Those who are set to inherit either under the rules of intestacy or a favoured Will may insist that there is no Will as […]
Probate Practitioners frustration over ‘modernised’ online probate service
Probate professionals across the country are echoing their frustrations through social media in regards to the online probate service recently. Jade Gani, solicitor and head of private client at Aston Bond criticised HM Courts & Tribunals Service’s (HMCTS) approach to reform and modernising the system for the better. She argued that the current process is […]
Common Reporting Standards – the OECD review
Our ‘Technical Corner’ brings you information that will help you to continue to grow and develop in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Emily Deane TEP, STEP Technical Counsel. If you have any questions for our panel of experts, please submit them using the contact form below. We will publish the questions […]
Bereavement Standard campaign picks up momentum
The Bereavement Standard campaign is gathering momentum as campaigners complain at the lack of cross-department cohesion over bereavement issues facing thousands of families. An MP has called for greater leadership and cohesion across government to improve treatment of grieving families. The demands came during a debate in the Commons on the campaign for a cross-industry […]
Don’t be fooled, guess who has the best tech!
Legal technologists see 2021 pushing the trends brought on by remote work even further, with AI and analytics continuing to grab attention. How can technology help your law firm? There is no getting away from it especially this year. We use it in every aspect of our lives, we even exercise using technology by watching […]
Jade Gani’s new will-writing scheme project comes to fruition
Jade Gani, solicitor and head of wills, trusts and probate at Aston Bond law firm talks to Today’s Wills and Probate about an exciting new will-writing scheme project she has been working on that has finally come to fruition. With sheer determination and hard work, Jade’s project, The Wishing Will Foundation (TWWF), has now been […]
Key considerations for the implementation of new technology
This article has been written by Pippa Shepherd who is the Head of Customer Engagement at Arken.legal (UK) Ltd and a board member of the UKLTA. Pippa joined Arken in 2018 to lead the sales, marketing and customer success functions. The implementation of any technology can be daunting. However, as we have seen with COVID-19 […]
First 2021 Women in Wills meeting reveals contentious probate is soaring
The first Women in Wills group meeting on 28th January was a welcome distraction from day-to-day life and duties. The group joined to share their experiences of enquiries to date and their personal high and lows of the previous “coronacoaster” in the last 12 months. We would like to thank our sponsors, Arken.legal, Executor Solutions, […]
Ensuring the correct identity of beneficiaries
It is paramount that beneficiaries are identified correctly in wills, to avoid an inheritance being invalid. In a recent case of Knipe v British Racing Drivers’ Motor Sport Charity and others [2020] EWCH 3295 (Ch) heard in the High Court it highlighted the importance of legacies being identified correctly. The claim The proceedings were in […]
Superhero Webinar 74: Inheritance Tax Planning (Part 1 of 2)
Protect your client’s estate from Inheritance Tax liabilities! Our next Superhero Webinar is part 1 of our Inheritance Tax Planning guide and covers how to reduce your client’s IHT liabilities. Topics include: • Dealing with Life Assurance correctly • Gifting to/for the benefit of minor children with immediate IHT exemption. • Gifting to/for the benefit […]
Webinar: How to protect yourself from a cyber attack
Not even a month into 2021 and already it has been a busy start to the year for law firms. This coupled with the new working from home culture unfortunately elevates the risk of law firms being subject to a cyber attack. In 2019, almost 50% of businesses in the UK suffered a cyber attack […]
Hugh James appointed as corporate partner to Institute of Legacy Management
Top 100 UK law firm, Hugh James, has become the first law firm in Wales to be appointed as a corporate partner to the Institute of Legacy Management – the membership body for people working in legacies within the charity and not-for-profit sector. The firm, which has offices in Cardiff and London, joins an exclusive […]
