Judicial review sought for IHT changes to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs
Farmers and business owners have instructed law firm Collyer Bristow to serve proceeding on the Chancellor of the Exchequer and HMRC for a Judicial Review of the government’s decision not to consult on the planned Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) changes; proceedings were served on 23 June 2025. The APR/BPR changes […]
Probate grants turned around on average in 5 weeks say Probate Registry
The Probate Registry is currently taking an average of five week to issue a grant after the application has been submitted; around twice as quick as the same period a year ago. During January to March 2025 probate grants took around half them time they did in the same period in 2024, when the average […]
Britain ‘set to lose record numbers of millionaires’
After reports in the last week the Government is considering a u-turn on its policy of charging inheritance tax on global assets for up to 10 years after an individual last reside in the country, new research suggests more high net worth individuals will leave the country over the next 12 months in the ‘largest […]
Legal sector forms key part of government’s 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy
The government has confirmed its commitment to supporting and investing in the legal sector, laying out its plans in the 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy shared this week. In a statement to Parliament, the secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds said the strategy ‘focuses on the high-growth potential sectors that will drive prosperity […]
New SRA chief confirmed to replace departing Philip
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to replace the departing Paul Philip, who leaves after nearly a decade in the role. Philip retires later this year and will be replaced by Sarah Rapson, who currently serves as Executive Director Supervision at the Financial Reporting Council, and has an extensive […]
Inflation continues to pull more estates into IHT net
Another sizeable increase in inheritance tax (IHT) receipts is further evidence of the impact of inflation and frozen nil rate bands pulling more estates into the ‘IHT net’ say financial planning and legal commentators. IHT receipts for April to May 2025 totalled £1.5bn, £98m more than the same period in 2024. Recently published Office for […]
Why probate solicitors are facing delays – and how digital legacy tools could help
Despite the steady advance of technology into our everyday working lives, many probate professionals still find themselves bogged down in administrative tasks that can delay estate administration. As client expectations shift and digital assets become the norm rather than the exception, how well prepared is the sector to embrace the realities of a ‘modern’ death? […]
Writing an award winning entry; top tips to win at #BWAPAwards2025
With the deadline for entry into the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 just a few weeks away on Friday 11th July, Today’s Wills and Probate considers what makes a standout entry for awards programmes. Awards events pit firms against their peers and really encourages them to think about what success looks like; how they […]