Diamond Market Reality Check: Why 2025’s Probate Valuations Look Different
If you’re working on a probate case with diamond jewellery in 2025, don’t be surprised if the valuations look different to last year’s. The diamond market has shifted sharply, and not in favour of sellers. Executors expecting a windfall from inherited jewellery may need a reality check. Here’s what’s changed, and why valuations this year […]
More adults making wills, yet legal confusion remains – 2025 Wills & Probate report reveals
For the first time since IRN Legal Reports began tracking will-making trends, over four in ten UK adults now have a will, marking a significant milestone in consumer engagement with end-of-life planning. According to the UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report 2025, 41% of UK adults have made a will – up from 38% […]
Probate applications wait time at 6.2 weeks for January and February
The waiting time for probate applications has remained the same for two months in a row – sitting at 6.2 in the number of weeks from submission to grant issue for all probate applications, according to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). This is still the shortest waiting time, showing a significant shift from February […]
French Court rules foreign-language wills valid – under strict conditions
France’s highest court has ruled that wills written in a language not understood by the person making the will can still be valid—if strict conditions are met, as reported by The Connexion. The landmark ruling from the Cour de Cassation on January 17th, 2025, changes how international wills are treated under French law. It now […]
Millions of retirements at risk from Reeves’ £40bn pension surplus tax plan, experts warn
Millions of workers could see their pensions threatened under new Government plans to allow companies to tap into £160bn of defined benefit pension surpluses, as reported by The Telegraph. The proposals, backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, would permit firms to draw down excess funds from pension schemes under looser safeguards. While this could unlock significant […]
‘Alarming’ lack of understanding about valid wills, survey reveals
A recent survey conducted by YouGov for law firm Irwin Mitchell has uncovered a concerning lack of awareness among the UK public regarding what constitutes a valid will. The poll of 2,000 individuals highlights significant misconceptions about the legal requirements for a will to be recognised under UK law – with only half (48%) being […]
Legal Ombudsman plans £20m overhaul to cut backlog and boost legal sector standards
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) is set to undergo a transformation in 2025/26, due to a proposed £20 million budget – a significant 11.4% increase from the previous year. The move is part of a new phase in LeO’s three-year strategy to tackle persistent demand, improve service delivery, and raise standards across the legal profession in […]
The Second Principle of The Mental Capacity Act – Supported Decision Making
In Section 1(2) of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) it states the following: “A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that he lacks capacity”. This principle therefore focuses on supporting individuals to make their own decisions whenever possible and is often shortened to the phrase ‘Supported Decision Making’ – but […]
Who Gets the Dog? The Changing Role of Pets in Divorce Settlements
When couples separate, much of the focus tends to be on dividing financial assets and property. But one issue is increasingly taking centre stage in divorce cases: who gets to keep the family pet? Historically, English and Welsh law has treated pets as “chattels” – in the same legal category as a piece of furniture […]
The Evolving Landscape of Legal Recruitment and Employment
The legal sector, traditionally known for its steadfastness, is undergoing a profound transformation. As a recruitment agency specialising in this dynamic field, we’ve witnessed firsthand the seismic shifts reshaping how firms attract, retain, and engage talent. Three months into our journey, we’re sharing our insights on the evolving landscape. One of the most polarising debates […]