OBR error almost overshadows most anticipated budget in years
The accidental publication of the content of the budget by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) nearly made more headlines than the content of Labour’s much-anticipated budget which threatened fireworks and delivered ‘no return to austerity’ and a promise ‘the wealthiest will contribute the most’ to filling the gap in the public finances. After weeks […]
Private client lawyers celebrate as ‘secondary transfer’ exempted from IHT
Private client membership and professional organisations the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP) and Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL) are celebrating after securing the exemption of inheritance tax (IHT) on payouts to the families of victims of the infected blood scandal. The issue was raised earlier this year when it was identified that although […]
Law Society research lays bare shocking scale of threats and abuse against solicitors
Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work in the last 12 months. The survey of 286 Law Society members, carried out in August, revealed ‘an alarmingly high’ […]
CILEX granted permission to appeal Mazur ruling
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has been granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment. Although not party to the original proceedings, CILEX applied for permission earlier this month, relying on the Court of Appeal’s discretion to permit an appeal brought by a person adversely affected by the […]
Plans to scrap jury trials for most crimes go too far, Law Society says
Just days after the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution warned of increasing distrust in the legal system that placed the rule of law under threat, Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy is set to propose the scrapping of jury trials for most crimes. Under the proposals, juries will only decide murder, […]
Joined up advice best practice for profession as IHT receipts and equity release continue to rise
A further rise in Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts, coupled with a growing equity release market is evidence of the need for a ‘joined-up’ approach to advice for clients as there is ‘awareness among homeowners of the need to plan ahead’ with many choosing to unlock property wealth during their lifetime to support younger generations or […]
The quiet resurgence of trusts and what it signals for advisers
New HMRC data shows a sharp spike in newly registered trusts, with 115,000 trusts being registered last year – 86% of which carry no tax liability. For private client professionals, this is more than an interesting statistical shift; it reflects changing family dynamics, heightened concerns around vulnerability and a renewed appetite for long-term governance. Trusts […]
Autumn Budget 2025 – First look at the Inheritance Tax impact
The 26th November 2025 saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves announce her much anticipated autumn budget. There are some changes relating to Inheritance Tax (IHT) to consider and that Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners ought to be aware of. Infected blood compensation payments The big win is the announcement that all compensation payments from the Infected […]