20 years of innovation: The CTT Story
On the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie welcomes Clive Ponder on to discuss his journey from miner to running one of the largest estate planning businesses in the country. CTT Group, formerly Countrywide Tax and Trust Corporation, now spans technology and software, accountancy and conveyancing alongside its estate planning business. The […]
LSB study suggests unethical barriers limiting progress on EDI
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published a qualitative study on the experiences of 30 legal professionals from underrepresented groups trying to get into, feel part of, and succeed in the legal profession. While not designed to be statistically representative, the sample included a mix of gender identities, sexualities, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic backgrounds, […]
#LegalPride2023: Solicitors in the spotlight
Newly released data unveiled for Pride highlights the experiences of Lesbian Gay and Bisexual (LGB) solicitors, with 80% feeling supported by their peers and 78% feeling that the work they do is meaningful. The Law Society’s 2022 Practising Certificate (PC) Holder Survey reveals the workplace culture faced by LGB solicitors. Seven in 10 (69%) of […]
Leaving it all to the dog: Pet inheritance and disputes
Karl Lagerfeld, the former Creative Director at Chanel, died in 2019, leaving behind probably the most famous cat in the world, Choupette (although a close second has got to be the lawyer who couldn’t remove the cat filter on Zoom during a Court hearing in 2021). Lagerfeld was the theme of this year’s Met Gala […]
Telegraph launches campaign to abolish inheritance tax
National newspaper The Daily Telegraph has this week launched a campaign calling on the government to scrap inheritance tax (IHT). The newspaper said more than 50 Conservative MPs are also demanding that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scraps the “morally wrong” tax on people’s estates after they die. The front-page story pointed out that the number […]
Ice cream tycoon’s first wife wins inheritance battle against his widow
The ex-wife and children of a man with a successful ice cream business have won a High Court inheritance battle over a significant slice of his fortune. Ernesto Colicci, the successful business owner, passed away from Covid almost 40 years after creating the ice cream business in London with his first wife, Josephine Colicci. Ms […]
Trust services sanctions: OFSI provides update 5 months on
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has provided an update on the trust services sanctions that came into effect on 16th December 2022. Here is what they said. The trust services measure is designed to limit the ability of designated persons, and persons connected with Russia, from accessing the UK’s trust services. OFSI said […]
The cost of caring – a probate claim for £500,000
When an executor received a claim for a deceased’s estate six months after it had been distributed to close family, they were in for the shock of their life. The claim, from a former acquaintance of the deceased, was for a whopping £500,000, based on the grounds of proprietary estoppel and an alleged invalid will. The claimant […]
Private client paralegal banned after taking money from client account
A paralegal has been banned from working in a legal practise without the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) prior approval after dishonestly obtaining substantial sums of money for herself and her sister, as reported in the Law Society Gazette. The SRA’s guidance on “acting with honesty” states that “the courts have made clear that the standard […]
‘State of the Nation’ Summit: Final day to confirm your place
Friday 2nd June marks the final day to confirm your place at the “State of the Nation” Summit, hosted by Today’s Wills and Probate, where practitioners, suppliers and recruiters will gather to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the legal landscape in wills and probate. From discussing legislative updates to exploring innovative strategies, this summit […]
Over a third of people banking on inheritance to pay for retirement – study
A new survey has revealed 34% of people in the UK are banking on receiving an inheritance to fund their retirement. What’s more, only 54% are confident enough to completely rule out needing an inheritance to fund their retirement, according to a survey of 2,000 adults conducted on behalf of Hargreaves Lansdown in May of […]
