How Estatesearch’s technology supports RIAA Barker Gillette
RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) is a full-service London law firm with offices in central and north London. The team pride themselves on their approachability and the accessibility of their partners to their clients. From corporate law issues to more sensitive family difficulties, RIAA Barker Gillette’s experienced and efficient team are on hand to advise and […]
Unclaimed estates list reappears as campaigners voice doubts over fraud inquiry
The Government’s quiet reinstatement of a public list of unclaimed estates has raised fresh questions about transparency, and whether a probe to probate fraud has addressed the real risks, according to leading probate genealogy firm Fraser and Fraser. The list – known as Bona Vacantia – was taken offline in July 2025 after a joint […]
Free webinar: Unmarried partners, probate and trusts: Lessons from a recent case
Kings Court Trust invites you to a free, informative webinar where they’ll do a deep-dive into a real-life scenario that many families face: long-term partners, no marriage, and delayed probate. Join Charlotte Toogood, legal services director, and Nigel Merchant, technical manager, as they explore the implications of life interest trusts, nil rate band usage, and […]
Bona Vacantia list reinstated as review finds no evidence of fraud
The Government Legal Department (GLD) has confirmed the reinstatement of the Bona Vacantia list with restricted access to data, following the allegations of its use by criminals to claim the estates of those with no heirs. In a press release published on gov.uk, GLD said a review had found “no evidence the Bona Vacantia unclaimed […]
High Court test case rules WhatsApp messages are not legal signatures in transfer of property
A High Court judge in a test case involving a dispute over the ownership of property belonging to a former husband and wife has ruled WhatsApp messages are not legally binding signatures in the transfer of property. In Maxine Reid-Roberts & Anor v Hsiao Mei-Lin & Anor, Mr Justice Cawson did not consider WhatsApp messages […]
Bona Vacantia, probate fraud, and the limits of ‘fixing the spreadsheet’
Most probate professionals work hard to ensure estates are administered correctly and beneficiaries receive what they’re entitled to. But the system is attractive to fraudsters: estates are time-sensitive, heirs are often unaware, and once assets move, recovery can be slow, expensive, and uncertain. That’s why Fraser & Fraser takes a firm stance: we want legitimate […]
Online Procedure Rules positive first step for a digital justice system, Law Society says
The Law Society of England and Wales has backed the Online Procedure Rule Committee’s (OPRC) first Online Procedure Rules, as the consultation to seek views on the draft rules drew to a close yesterday. The rules, which were published with the consultation at the beginning of December, will apply to online procedures in family, civil […]
Sister admits exceeding authority under PoA, as brother fights for share of mother’s £5m estate
A sister being sued by her brother for a share of their mother’s £5 million estate admits she exceeded her authority under power of attorney when she “plundered” her mother’s bank account, but denies doing so deliberately and claims she misunderstood what acting as power of attorney entitled her to do. Gary MacDougall (pictured) is […]
LSB appoints Richard Orpin as new CEO
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has appointed Richard Orpin (pictured) as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Orpin joined the LSB in 2023 as director of regulation and policy and has almost 20 years of experience in regulation and government. He has been interim chief executive at the LSB since summer 2025. The appointment was […]
‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way’ – Chloe’s story
In December, we shared an extract from a poignant new book written by an estate planner whose career began far from the world of wills. In ‘Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way’, Steve tells the story of his journey from windows to wills following the death of his closest friend, Carl Williamson. Here, Carl’s […]