The Rules of Intestacy at 100 Years of Age
The intestacy rules in England and Wales, established under the Administration of Estates Act 1925, dictate who inherits when someone dies without a will. Now a century old, these rules remain largely unchanged despite major shifts in family structures. The Historical Context of Intestacy To understand why these rules exist, it’s worth looking back at […]
International Women’s Day: More new female solictors attained partner equivalent positions compared to their male counterparts
This International Women’s Day (8th March 2025), the Law Society of England and Wales encourages the profession to continue supporting women’s progress to senior levels. In 2023, more new female solicitors (832) attained partner equivalent positions compared to their male counterparts (522). Despite advancements, female solicitors still represent only 34% of partners or partner equivalents, […]
Paul Philip and Alan Kershaw announce departures from key legal regulatory roles
Paul Philip, chief executive of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), will retire towards the end of 2025 after nearly 12 years in the role, the regulator announced. His departure follows that of Alan Kershaw, chair of the Legal Services Board (LSB), who is stepping down immediately after less than two years in post, citing personal […]
New regulatory proposals to strengthen lawyers’ ethical standards
New regulatory measures to strengthen ethical standards in the legal sector have been proposed today, to initiate a significant shift in how lawyers’ ethics are taught, overseen and supported in workplaces. The Legal Services Board (LSB) is seeking views on how regulators support lawyers to fully understand and uphold their ethical duties throughout their careers. […]