Psychiatrists warn assisted dying bill could undermine suicide prevention
A group of leading psychiatrists has warned that the Assisted Dying Bill is being rushed into law and could “undermine daily efforts to prevent suicide,” particularly among the elderly. In a statement, 24 experts expressed alarm over the speed at which the legislation is progressing through parliament, urging that it be “overwhelmingly rejected”. They cautioned […]
£35 million added to State Pension pots
People wanting to maximise their State Pension by plugging gaps in their National Insurance record have contributed to a total of 68,673 years, worth £35 million, using the online service since April last year HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed. Analysis of the digital service has shown: more than 37,000 online payments have […]
Costly will-writing error denies charities £1m bequest
A simple witnessing error on a will has resulted in leading charities losing a £1 million inheritance, while a director of the will-writing service involved received half of the wealth, as reported by The Times. Rosemary Hill, a retired doctor, used Legal Love Letters to draft a new will just days before her death, intending […]
STEP warns of a hidden epidemic of financial abuse
STEP has launched a ‘Spot the signs’ campaign to raise awareness of the warning signs of financial abuse so that people can better protect loved ones at risk. The ‘Spot the signs’ campaign follows concerns raised by STEP members that financial abuse is widespread and increasing. This includes hidden financial abuse that often doesn’t come […]
Premier Solicitors further expands with strategic acquisitions of National Will Writers and Carter Westwood
Premier Solicitors has announced the acquisition of National Will Writers and Carter Westwood, two established providers of estate planning services, for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move reinforces Premier Solicitors’ position as a leading provider of probate and estate administration services in the UK. As a full-service law firm, Premier Solicitors works with nearly 1,000 […]
‘Tech is only as good as the data you put in it’
In the second episode of the fourth series of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie sat down with Taz Khalid, CEO, and Jean Ward, COO of My Probate Solicitor (MPS), to discuss the launch of the new business and the introduction of ZENA – an AI-powered “warrior princess” designed to streamline probate […]
MPs push for assisted dying rights for neurodegenerative illnesses with 12 months to live
MPs from the Labour Party, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Green Party have come together to back a new amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to allow those with neurodegenerative illnesses to access assisted dying when they have twelve months or fewer to live, rather than six, as currently stipulated in the […]
13% increase in support calls to mental health helpline
Mental health and wellbeing charity LawCare says it experienced a 13% increase in support requests last year compared to 2023, with 2024’s number its highest on record. Stress and anxiety (39%) were the most common reasons people contacted the charity, followed by career concerns (15%) and workplace bullying and harassment (10%). In it’s recently published […]
Contesting a will with willclaim solicitors no win no fee specialists – The benefits of mediation
Will claim Solicitors, specialist no win no fee will dispute and will contest Solicitors, discuss the benefits of mediation What is Mediation? Mediation is a negotiation utilising the services of a trained Mediator (who may or may not be legally qualified) within a structured environment to help the parties to a dispute, in this instance […]
LSB set out strategic priorities for 2025/26 amid budget concerns
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is consulting on the content of its business plan and budget for 2025/26, highlighting five key priorities for the super-regulator. In its final board meeting on 2024 it reaffirmed its commitment to the Reshaping Legal Services strategy, aimed at achieving fairer outcomes, stronger confidence, and better services across the legal […]
SRA clamps down on AML failings with fines totalling £66,000
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has flexed its regulatory muscles with a series of fines levied on firms and individuals for failure to comply with money laundering regulations. Fines totalling over £66,000 have been levied since the beginning of February alone. These cases serve as a stark reminder to legal practitioners of the importance of […]
