IHT liabilities break £6bn barrier with 12% year on year increase
The impact of Government’s decision to maintain the Inheritance Tax (IHT) thresholds at their 2020/21 levels is evident in the latest Inheritance Tax liabilities statistics published for 2022/23. 4.62% of UK deaths resulted in an IHT, a small increase of just under a quarter of a percent on the previous tax year. 31,500 estates were […]
Grave Robbers; probate researchers’ role underplayed in BBC podcast
The hit BBC podcast Grave Robbers, part of the Shadow World series, has brought to public attention a little known fraud where criminals have been using the Bona Vacantia list to identify vacant and unclaimed estates, producing fraudulent wills and submitting them to be awarded grant of probate. Once the criminals have the grant, they […]
More cohabitation, fewer marriages, and more older people live alone
There are fewer marriages, more families choosing to cohabit, and more people who live alone in retirement according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The ‘Families and households in the UK: 2024’ report provides estimates of families and household types, including people living alone in the UK in 2024. The numbers […]
Equity release up 10% year on year – Equity Release Council
The equity release market grew by 10% in the last 12 months as older homeowners unlocked £636m in property wealth according to the latest Equity Release Council’s (ERC) latest quarterly market report. 14,404 new and returning customers took out equity release loans in Q2 2025; a 10% increase in total lending when compared to Q2 […]
Changes to first-tier complaints requirements risks ‘over-regulation’ – The Law Society
Proposed changes to first-tier complaints handling, which could include requirements to publish complaints information to clients in a ‘clear, accessible and prominent place’ on firms’ websites, have been criticised by The Law Society. Responding to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ‘Changing our requirements on first-tier complaints’ consultation which runs until 1st August, Law Society president Richard […]
Inquiry into access to justice launched by Justice Committee
The Justice Committee has launched an inquiry into how advice and legal services are adapting to secure access to justice across civil, criminal, and family law. MPs on the cross-party Committee, which is chaired by Labour MP Andy Slaughter, will examine the current state of the legal services and representation market, and access to justice. […]
Standish v Standish: Why joined-up thinking is now critical in wealth and family law
The landmark Standish v Standish ruling from the Supreme Court has brought renewed focus to the vital relationship between wealth advisors and both private client and family lawyers’ a joined-up approach can offer both asset protection and long-term relationship security if things go wrong. When Mr Standish transferred £77million of personal assets to his […]