PM Law Group acquires specialist wills, trusts, and probate firm
The PM Law Group has announced its acquisition of John M Lewis & Co, specialists in residential conveyancing, wills, trusts, and probate. The business will continue to trade under the John M Lewis & Co name and remain at their offices on Vernon Street near Derby City centre. They will offer a new, wider range […]
National Will Register hits milestone 10 millionth will registered
Almost half of all wills in the UK now on the register The National Will Register has announced that it has now registered more than 10 million wills in its system. According to insurance provider Canada Life UK, two in five UK adults, or 21 million people, have made a will which means that The […]
“Failure to prevent fraud” set to become an offence
The government is set to add a “failure to prevent fraud” offence to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill which is currently going through Parliament. The new offence could put white collar professionals – including lawyers – at risk of prosecution. Security minister Tom Tugendhat told MPs during the Bill’s second reading in the […]
2022 sees record number of charitable gifts within wills
New data has revealed 2022 saw a record number of charitable gifts left within wills. Of 231,582 wills processed by Smee & Ford, some 36,992 – or nearly 16% – included a gift to charity. The total value of charitable estates exceeded Smee & Ford’s prediction of £20bn made in September, finishing on £21.3bn, the […]
IHT receipts £700 million higher than this time last year
New data released by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed inheritance tax (IHT) receipts are some £700 million higher than this time last year. Total receipts from April 2022 to December 2022 now sit at £5.3 billion compared to £4.6 billion in December 2021. Largely driven by soaring property prices in recent times, the […]
“Concierge” service launched by Property Solutions Group
A property “concierge” service designed for high net worth individuals and property is set to be launched by specialist property services company Property Solutions Group. Southey & Co will provide a “bespoke service for Private Client lawyers across London and the South East.” The firm is RICS regulated providing red book, HMRC compliant valuations as […]
Diary of a private client lawyer: 3rd February 2023
Sarah Bolt, Managing Associate (Private Client Dispute Resolution – Wills, Trusts, and Estates) at Freeths LLP, pens the first of entry to her “Diary of a private client lawyer” I spent a long time thinking about how I wanted to start this column and frame what I wanted to discuss each week. So here it […]
How the Charities Act 2022 will reduce red tape for the legacy sector
This Spring and Autumn will see the implementation of two parts of the Charities Act 2022, both of which will be pertinent to solicitors and legacy professionals involved in trusts and wills within the charity sector. Peter Jeffreys, a Partner at Wilsons Solicitors LLP (a corporate partner of the Institute of Legacy Management) explains the […]
To rely or not to rely on a common-intention constructive trust?
To rely or not to rely on a common-intention constructive trust: an instance of the application of s. 53(1)(c) of the Law of Property Act 1925 | By John Clargo, Barrister, Gatehouse Chambers On 14th December 2022, the Court of Appeal overturned March’s High Court decision that detrimental reliance is not a necessary element of […]
