ABS fined more than £25,000 for AML failings
A Birmingham law firm has been fined more than the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) stated £25,000 for ‘traditional’ firms for anti-money laundering (AML) failures because of it’s status as an alternative business structure (ABS). Tyndallwoods Solicitors, has been fined £27,813 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for failing to implement proper anti-money laundering (AML) measures […]
Estatesearch acquires Exizent to elevate bereavement services
Estatesearch has announced its acquisition of Exizent. This milestone combines two innovative forces in the space to deliver “greater efficiencies, enhanced tools, and better outcomes” for private client professionals dealing with probate, financial institutions, and all of their clients. Over the 5 years since Exizent started up it has established itself as a trusted provider […]
Regulator welcomes sentencing of brother and sister after charity fraud
The Charity Commission has welcomed the sentencing of Rajbinder Kaur and Khaldip Singh Lehal. Rajbinder Kaur has been jailed for 2 years and 8 months after being convicted of money laundering and six counts of theft, amounting to £50,000. This followed her theft of money that had been donated to Sikh Youth UK. Kaur was […]
Farmers protest against IHT changes in Northumberland
Farmers in Northumberland have taken to the streets in protest over proposed changes to inheritance tax, which they say threaten the future of their industry. A convoy of tractors travelled down the A1 before gathering at County Hall in Morpeth, where protesters voiced their concerns. Participants warned that the changes would have far-reaching consequences for […]
Probate delays surge – a 134% rise in year-long cases
New analysis of Freedom of Information (FoI) data obtained from the Ministry of Justice by Quilter, financial adviser and pension provider, has found that the number of probate cases taking over a year to be granted has risen by 134% over the last three years. This increase in wait time comes as the government prepares […]
Teachers’ pension delays leave divorcing members in limbo
Hundreds of teachers across England are facing significant delays in their divorce proceedings due to backlogs in obtaining pension valuations from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, according to The BBC. These valuations, known as Cash Equivalent Transfer Values (CETVs), are essential for determining how pensions should be divided during financial settlements. Amy Goldsmith, a 43-year-old history, […]
The good, the bad and the awkward: What clients say about their first impressions of law firms
First impressions are critical, especially for law firms. Clients often approach with high-stakes concerns, looking for more than just expertise – they want empathy, professionalism and reassurance. The Law Firm Marketing Club’s What Clients Want 2024 research posed a key question: “How did you first contact the law firm, and what was your first impression?” Respondents […]