MOJ responds to rising demand for free legal advice
A new report from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) demonstrates how government funding has maintained and expanded vital access to free specialist legal advice. Through the Covid-19 Specialist Advice Services Scheme (CSASS), £5.4 million was awarded in 2020/21 by the MOJ and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to the Law Centres Network and […]
Law Society responds to Chatham House AML report
The Law Society of England and Wales has issued a response to London-based thinktank Chatham House’s recent report criticising the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The report states that un-policed and often unenforceable anti-corruption laws have made the UK the global money-laundering capital for a post-Soviet Union elite, severely damaging Britain’s international reputation and the […]
Novitas ceases litigation funding to new customers
One of the biggest UK litigation funders, Novitas Loans, has announced that it has ceased lending to new customers. The company, which offers lending for contentious probate, family law and clinical cases, said that it will continue managing it’s existing customer base and cases, and will consider applications for extensions, but will not take on […]
Just 14% of solicitors used remote will witnessing in lockdown
A survey conducted by the Law Society of England and Wales about whether to extend remote witnessing of wills beyond January 2022 has found that only a small proportion of solicitors have chosen to use it for their clients. Under the 1837 Wills Act, two witnesses’ signatures are required in the physical presence of the […]
LSB publishes lawyer competency consultation
The Legal Services Board (LSB) says it finds the legal profession is “out of step compared with other professions”, and that greater focus on assessing and understanding levels of competence is required. To address this, the LSB has launched a consultation on a draft statutory statement of policy on the outcomes regulators should pursue to ensure legal […]
Will writing amongst millennials increases by 10%
A new study has found that more millennials than ever before have written wills as a result of the pandemic. The study conducted by LegalZoom and Caring.com revealed that at least 27% of 18-34 year olds had a will in 2021, compared to 18% in 2019. Of those that had drafted a will, 30% cited […]
Government publishes 10-year vision to improve adult social care
The Department of Health and Social Care has published its 10-year vision for adult social care which, it says, will help provide greater choice for those receiving care and certainty over costs. The white paper is part of the government’s wider social care plans, including the integration of white paper, the Health and Care Bill […]
Spears wins right to execute her estate
Latest developments in the ongoing Britney Spears conservatorship case reveal that the singer has won the right to sign financial paperwork and manage her $50m (£37.8m) estate. In a hearing on Wednesday 8th December Judge Brenda Penny ruled that Spears is now free to execute her own estate documents, allowing her to manage her own […]
CTT Superhero Webinar No. 84: Lifetime planning for clients – what you all need to know
Agenda: A brief guide to lifetime planning options for clients Saving client’s IHT Protecting client’s assets Life insurance and Pension death benefit planning Join us on Zoom on Friday 10th and Monday 13th December 10:00am – 11:00am Friday 10th December: https://countrywidegroup-co-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/8516373331561/WN_aTR8aIjUSFygQJ553xBTsg Monday 13th December: https://countrywidegroup-co-uk.zoom.us/webinar/register/6616373334228/WN_xAdpuonKQUyUtTIvjELIjQ This article was submitted to be published by CTT Group […]
Kings Court Trust look back at 2021
At the end of 2020, Kings Court Trust reflected on an unpredictable year due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fast forward to today, and the impact of the virus continues to make headlines within the probate and estate administration industry. As the year draws to a close, Kings Court Trust has crafted a […]
Rare 2000 Mini Cooper Sport acquired from Britt Ekland heads to classic car auctions’ final sale of 2021
Classic Car Auctions’ final sale of 2021 is just this weekend on Saturday 11th December at Stoneleigh Park, CV8 2LZ. The team have a superb catalogue with Everyman Classics from across the decades going under the hammer including this 2000 Rover Mini Cooper Sport directly acquired from new by Britt Ekland herself! With bond-girl provenance […]
Brits and their lost pension pots
According to Finder, 91% of UK individuals have a pension. However, by retirement, it is possible these pensions can be misplaced or lost. People lose track of their savings, investments, and pensions on a regular basis; with pensions and savings having gone online, losing passwords, and not keeping records for families is a very real […]
Law Society appoints interim CEO
Gerry Walsh has been appointed as the new interim CEO of the Law Society of England and Wales. Born in Northern Ireland, Gerry has spent most of his working life in England, France, Poland and the US, and is now a highly experienced senior executive and consultant. He’s a former interim CEO of the Chartered […]
HMCTS publishes recordings from its 5th Annual Public User Event
HMCTS has published recordings from all sessions held at this year’s Annual Public User Event: Reforming court and tribunal services together. Recordings of the sessions are available in a playlist on YouTube. This year’s iteration was held digitally over 9 and 10 November, and covered the latest progress of the reform programme across criminal, civil, family […]
Guardian calls for case to keep Prince Philip’s Will secret be reheard
The Guardian newspaper has initiated legal proceedings challenging a secret court hearing where it was decided that there is “no true public interest” in members of the public knowing the contents of the late Prince Philip’s Will. Under British law, all wills are in the public domain to ensure that they are acted upon and […]
Solicitor struck off for stealing client’s inheritance
A solicitor has been struck of by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) for stealing inheritance money from a client. The sole director, solicitor Geoffrey Rushton, of Rushton Legal Services based in Staffordshire, was instructed in August 2016, by his jailed client, to transfer inheritance money to his account from his deceased mother’s account. An investigation […]
Law Society responds to LSB consultation on empowering consumers
The Law society has issued a response to the Legal Services Board (LSB) consultation on empowering consumers, saying that it must give frontline regulators room to understand consumer engagement and the challenges facing the public. Following a consultation launched by the LSB on a draft statutory statement of policy on empowering consumers, outlining how the […]
Attend and be in with a chance to win a £500 giftcard
As we head toward a new year, many conveyancing professionals will be looking back and reflecting on 2021, as well as planning for 2022. For some, that may mean planning to start their own law firm—or looking at ways to improve their firm’s performance next year. If that sounds like you, then join leading global […]
Treasury rules out IHT reform recommendations
The UK Government has set out further plans to create a modern, simple and effective tax system during its Tax Administration and Maintenance Day that took place this week, but recommended IHT reforms were rejected by the Treasury. Details announced at the Government Tax Administration and Maintenance Day build on action the Government took as […]
Scammer attempts to sell woman’s home using fraudulently obtained LPA
A woman almost lost her home to a fraudster after discovering a Government department had granted lasting power of attorney of her affairs to a complete stranger. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the homeowner learnt that a woman called “Julie” had posed as her sister and forged documents that were then approved by the Office […]
LPA registrations fall by 26.5% as a result of pandemic
Canada Life reveals that Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) registrations fell by 26.5% in 2020-21 as lockdown measures are believed to have made the paper-based process outdated. Following a freedom of information request submitted by the insurance solutions provider, Canada Life, to the Ministry of Justice, a significant fall in LPAs between 6 April 2020 […]
Pensions charge cap changes outlined
Plans to make it easier for pension schemes to access investments which can offer greater returns to savers have been outlined by the Department for Work and Pensions. The proposals will to allow automatic enrolment pension schemes to make greater use of performance-based fees, which are payable to an investment manager only if they generate […]
Technical Corner: STEP modern families report
STEP has published a new report, “Meeting the needs of modern families”[1], sponsored by TMF Group, to gather insight about the families that STEP members advise and what their wealth and succession planning needs are. It identifies the key complexities and constraints currently facing families and their advisors. The aim is to understand and highlight […]
More than two-thirds plan to divide wealth equally amongst children
A new report on inheritance planning reveals that more than two-thirds of UK adults plan to share their wealth equally among their children. Research conducted by investment management company Charles Stanley shows that 68% of Brits intend to divide their assets evenly, with 55% indicating that the whole amount of their wealth would be divided […]
Alleged fifteenth child steps forward in battle over late rapper’s estate
The late DMX’s estate is a clear demonstration of the importance of taking out a missing beneficiary comfort policy, writes Danny Curran, Finders International’s CEO and founder. The NME reports that another woman has stepped forward, claiming to be the child of the late US rapper. Her claim bumps up the alleged number of his […]
Free webinar: Tracing missing beneficiaries
When presented with a missing beneficiary, it can often be a time-consuming and strenuous task for Solicitors to locate the person, especially if overseas research is required. That’s why on Wednesday 8th December at 12pm, Title Research’s Technical Manager, Simon Barber, will outline some of the most common risks presented to legal professionals when faced […]
The AAT have responded to the consultation on probate increases
The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) has provided a response to the Ministry of Justice proposal, “Aligning the Fees for Grants of Probate to Cost Recovery”. AAT says that it supports the proposed increase in fees for professionals from £215 to £273 and for the alignment of fees amongst professionals and non-professionals. The association said […]
New transfer regulations introduced to combat pension scams
New laws giving enhanced powers to trustees to block or pause pension transfers to help avert potential scam activity came into force yesterday. Under the changes brought about by the Pension Schemes Act 2021, providers are now required to raise red or amber flags when a transfer attempt to a suspicious scheme is made. According […]