STEP announces Private Client Awards Finalists for 2025
The global membership body STEP has today announced the shortlist for the 2025 Private Client Awards. The judges have chosen 73 firms and 18 individuals from 21 countries as meeting the high standard needed to win an Award. This year saw 337 submissions from 25 countries. The Awards, which are in their 20th year, celebrate […]
IHT changes to drive growth in demand as 6 in 10 report rise in requests for estate and tax planning advice
Inheritance tax (IHT) changes are driving demand for tax and estate planning advice as six in ten professional advisors report an increase in demand for their services. Nine in ten professionals believe estate and tax planning will become even more important following IHT changes, and 65% said they believe charitable tax incentives will become even […]
Wealth exodus could see chancellor roll back on non-dom tax changes
It has been reported Chancellor Rachel Reeves could roll back on plans to introduce inheritance tax (IHT) on the global assets of non-doms after an exodus of wealthy individuals from the ‘punitive’ UK tax regime. There is ‘mounting evidence’ the policy is driving the wealthy out of the UK. In April non-dom status with abolished […]
Red line for firms who make themselves executors of wills in new ratings system
A consumer awareness and comparison website has launched what is describes as independent ratings for online will writing services to tackle ‘growing concerns that the rise in DIY wills could lead to future disputes or even render wills invalid;’ levelling criticism at industry practices including Fairer Finance has launched a new set of product ratings for […]
HMRC tax avoidance consultation risks impacting work of legitimate tax advisers
The Law Society has slammed HMRC’s consultation into tackling tax avoidance schemes as ‘disproportionate and potentially ineffective’, affecting the work of legitimate tax advisers and introducing onerous levels of compliance and cost. The consultation, launched in March of this year, aims to tackle the promotion of schemes which actively promote tax avoidance. HMRC estimate they […]
LSB survey finds higher prices, but availability of remote services offers greater choice
New research from the Legal Services Board (LSB) reveals the price of legal services is rising, but the transparency of the prices offered is improving and consumers are benefitting from more services being made available remotely. The Prices of Individual Legal Services in England and Wales looks at five commonly used legal services: conveyancing, divorce, power […]
Law Society ‘supports SRA’s focus on core responsibilities’ following Axiom Ince review
The Law Society of England and Wales has announced that it supports the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) reprioritisation of work and the emphasis placed on investing in its core functions in the 2025-2026 business plan and budget consultation. The SRA’s consultation, launched in May, aims to address the shortcomings highlighted in the independent review of […]
In the age of AI and rising costs, NALP says paralegals are more relevant than ever
Today’s Media spoke to Amanda Hamilton, director and patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), about the evolving role of the paralegal and NALP’s role in the profession’s voluntary self-regulation. A recent survey measuring public perception of AI in the legal sector found that the public isn’t yet ready to fully trust the technology in […]
What celebrity wills teach us about getting it wrong
From Prince and Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, when fame meets estate planning failure, the lessons can be far-reaching. When there’s no will: what happens when you leave it to the law? In 2016, legendary musician Prince died unexpectedly at the age of 57 from a fentanyl overdose. Despite amassing an estate valued at $156 […]