LeO releases guidance for firms on what is a ‘reasonable’ request in probate disputes
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has moved to produce guidance for private clients firms exploring the challenges and good practices when responding to requests from beneficiaries during the administration of estates. The Legal Ombudsman said wills and probate was the second-most complained about area of law in 2024/25, with the 1,128 complaints representing a 28% increase […]
Made in Chelsea star in ‘hostile’ court fight for £5m share of estate left by mother’s ex-partner
A personal trainer who appeared on the reality TV show Made in Chelsea is involved in a “hostile” court fight for a share of a £38 million estate left by his mother’s ex-boyfriend. Lonan O’Herlihy (pictured) is claiming a £5 million share of the estate of Hugh Taylor, with whom his mother had a relationship […]
SRA targets COLPs and COFAs in latest client money crackdown
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will seek to separate the roles of Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) from ‘individuals that can unilaterally determine or direct significant management decisions’ with law firms, in its latest crackdown. A newly launched client money consultation proposes to separate both roles […]
‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way’ – an exclusive serialisation
An estate planner who went from selling windows to producing wills has shared an exclusive extract from a book he was “never supposed to write”. Steve Bish, from St Albans, lost one of his closest friends, Carl, in a scooter accident in 2001. Carl had not left a will, and Steve helped his widow deal […]
Legal sector value jumps to over £50bn as LSB outlines plans for future regulation
The legal services sector grew from a value of £41.4 billion in 2021 to £52.3 billion by 2024. Private equity investment in the sector has increased significantly, climbing by 42% from £377 million in 2023 and reaching £1.2 billion over the last five years. Satisfaction in the delivery of legal services is improving, as the […]
Law Society ‘strongly opposes’ proposed switch to AML regulation under the FCA
The Law Society of England and Wales has outlined its opposition to proposals to create a Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS) for anti-money laundering which would sit under the supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority. In October, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the creation of an SPSS as part of her ‘blitz’ on ‘pointless admin,’ citing […]
Informal digital communications and the disposition of beneficial interests: Lessons from Lin v Gudmundsson
A High Court test case will decide whether WhatsApp messages are legally binding, after a husband sent a message to his wife telling her he would sign over his share of the family home as part of their divorce settlement. Hsiao Mei-Lin claims the WhatsApp from her ex-husband, Icelandic financier Audun Mar Gudmundsson, is legally […]