Legal world unites to help tackle cyber threat
A new standardised form questionnaire designed to help law firms better assess the cybersecurity arrangements of the Chambers whose barristers they instruct was launched on Friday at the Law Society’s Risk and Compliance Conference by a joint Law Society of England and Wales and Bar Council working group, representing barristers, leading law firms and IT […]
Hughes v Pritchard: in and out of capacity
In mid-2021, I wrote about the Judgment in the case of Hughes v Pritchard and asked the question: “how far do you need to go to establish capacity?”. In that case, the High Court had determined the question of Mr Hughes’ final testamentary disposition by saying that his last will was invalid on the grounds […]
Free practice management software available for legal professionals impacted by or providing pro bono aid due to the conflict in Ukraine
At Clio, we stand for a just and equitable world. We extend our support to the people affected by the conflict in Ukraine and are committed to supporting impacted and displaced legal professionals and pro bono lawyers offering aid to Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers. Lawyers and legal service providers play a vital role during […]
How soon could you be drafting documents after signing up to WillSuite?
Software can be a scary word and for some (who aren’t tech-savvy) it can be daunting to think about new solutions. This is one of the things that puts people off changing from their existing method of drafting to signing up to a new solution. Thankfully, WillSuite is incredibly intuitive and our team does a […]
UKLTA webinar: “Remember a Charity” – Lucinda Darby
Six out of 10 Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) boat launches would not be possible without gifts in wills. Two out of every three guide dogs are funded by legacies. A third of Cancer Research’s work is funded by gifts in wills. Charitable gifts left in wills are incredibly important. Yet, 14% of advisors never […]
Half of UK wills out of date: SFE launches “update your will” week
Research commissioned by SFE has revealed that almost half (47%) of brits who have a will haven’t updated it for more than five years, meaning nearly half of wills in the UK are likely to be out-of-date. Of those, a third (33%) haven’t updated it for over 7 years, and a fifth (21%) haven’t dusted […]
Government announces consultation on MCA Code of Practice
The government is consulting on the proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Code of Practice, which includes guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. The consultation is also seeking views on the LPS regulations, which will underpin the new system. The MCA applies in England and Wales, but some aspects of its […]
Pension withdrawals soar by 20% in 2021
The latest flexible payments from pensions data has been released Commentary for Personal and Stakeholder Pension Statistics: September 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Data shows that £8.3bn was flexibly withdrawn from pensions between April and December 2021 – a 19% increase on the same period in 2020, with 648,000 people accessing an average of £12,800 during this period. […]
IHT receipts now at £5.5bn, HMRC reports
Latest HMRC data reveals that IHT receipts for the period April 2021 to February 2022 now stand at £5.5bn; £0.7bn higher than the same period last year. In its latest report HMRC has also explained that it expected higher IHT receipts from March to August 2021 due to “higher volumes of wealth transfers that took place […]
Sunak delivers “underwhelming” Spring Statement
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered his Spring Statement to Parliament on Wednesday. In what has been described as a “mini-budget”, the Chancellor brought welcome tax relief across several areas of the economy, though some have suggested the measures do not go far enough amidst the current economic climate of inflation, increasing house prices, […]
SRA to consult on annual “keeping of the roll” exercise
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is consulting on plans to reintroduce the requirement for non-practising solicitors to complete an annual application confirming that they wish to remain on the roll. Solicitors without practising certificates would be asked to complete annual application from 2023 onwards. In making their application, individuals will also be confirming that the […]
