‘Act now on wills’ law makers urged, as Law Commission recommendations remain unfulfilled
The Law Society of England and Wales has renewed its call for the government to act on reforming the law governing the writing of wills. Six months on from the Law Commission’s seminal Modernising Wills Law report in May 2025, the Law Society has called on law-makers to “act now” and implement the reforms outlined […]
Reality TV star’s £5m out of time estate claim has no prospect of success, court rules
A reality TV star and personal trainer’s claim for share of a £38 million estate left by his mother’s ex-boyfriend has no prospect of success, High Court judge Deputy Master William Henderson has ruled. Lonan O’Herlihy (pictured) had claimed a £5 million share of the estate of Hugh Taylor, with whom his mother had a […]
Rebuke for solicitor after £71,000 trust balance laid dormant for 16 years
A solicitor has been rebuked and fined £300 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) after more than £70,000 of client money was retained for 16 years longer than necessary. Geraint James, a solicitor and director of Beaufort Montague Harris, admitted breaching professional standards by failing to account to beneficiaries of a trust. A balance of […]
SRA pays out £9m to ‘most urgent’ PM Law transactions after receiving 250 applications to compensation fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has provided £9 million in compensation to clients of PM Law, which closed unexpectedly at the start of February. The money has been largely used to facilitate property transactions which have been delayed as a result of the closure of the Sheffield law firm and its 20-plus affiliate firms. The […]
New private client appointments at Jurit and Kingsley Napley as firms expand international tax teams
Jurit LLP has appointed Caroline Williams as a consultant solicitor within its expanding private wealth and tax team, while Kingsley Napley has added Kelly Greig and Abbie West-Kelsey to its growing international tax team. Greig joins the firm as partner, with West-Kelsey as tax manager. Williams (pictured) brings more than 20 years’ experience in private […]
Government launches digital ID consultation
The Government is seeking views on how digital ID could be used to make public services quicker, easier and more secure to access. Launching a national public consultation, Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said the government needs to catch up with services offered by the private sector, such as online banking. […]
Case commentary: Siblings who cared for mother face eviction after losing fight over £600,000 estate
Even successful challenges to wills can result in financial ruin, as well as significant emotional costs. Alexandra McVean, solicitor in the Contentious Trust and Probate team at Wilsons Solicitors, examines the case of the Isaacs siblings, two of home face homelessness despite winning a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. […]
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
A deeply personal tragedy is the inspiration behind a new book launched by will writer Steve Bish, and the topic of discussion on the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast. Bish is somewhat typical of many will writers who have unconventional routes in to the legal profession. His own career began in sales, marketing, training […]