Court of Appeal rules against HMRC in ‘home loan’ IHT dispute
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the use of a controversial ‘home loan’ scheme successfully removed the obligation to pay inheritance tax on a property. The scheme was arranged by Leslie Elborne in 2003 in an attempt to remove the value of her home, of which she was the freehold owner, from her taxable […]
Jack Charlton’s World Cup winners’ medal ‘subject to £200,000 IHT’
The son of footballer Jack Charlton has been told he must pay £200,000 in inheritance tax (IHT) for the World Cup winners’ medal his father received following the England team’s 1966 victory over West Germany. In an interview with radio station Talksport John Charlton said he had been left the medal in his father’s will […]
Will Aid returns and highlights wider benefit to firms in recruitment message
Charity campaign Will Aid 2026 returns in November, with law firms across the country encouraged to join the campaign to write wills for clients in exchange for donations to charity. The campaign takes place each year throughout November, with participating solicitors volunteering their time to write basic wills and, instead of charging their usual fees, […]
‘Fourth pillar’ equity release shows signs of continued demand after slow start to year
After a slow start to 2026 the equity release market returned to growth during the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest report from the Equity Release Council (ERC). The Q2 data showed total lending increased to £597 million during Q2 2026, up 4% on the previous quarter (£574 million). Overall customer numbers also […]
LEAP Estates and Finders tie up in Australia to offer integrated services
A new integration between Finders International and the LEAP Estates software platform will “allow users to engage genealogy services without leaving their estate administration matters.” Available on both desktop and web versions of the LEAP Estates software, Australian users can can access services including locating missing beneficiaries and executors named in a will, identifying and […]
Scholarship aims to support diversity in contentious trusts and probate work
Lawyers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are to benefit from a new scholarship designed to support greater diversity in contentious trusts and probate law. The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) has awarded two Access Scholarships for the 2026 intake of its specialist qualification course at the University of Law – […]