What can unoccupied property insurance offer you?
For an owner of an unoccupied property, one of the last things on their mind might be insurance. They may be thinking about how to turn their vacant property into a viable rental, or maybe they have grand plans to renovate it. Either way, insurance isn’t usually on the forefront of people’s minds, but it […]
Independent review sets out extent of opportunities missed by SRA to address PM Law failings
The Solicitors Regulation Authority missed multiple opportunities to address serious failings at PM Law Group from as far back as 2023, with investigations conducted without access to management accounts and explanations provided by PM Law leadership accepted on face value without independent verification. The central finding of an independent serious event review (SER) conducted by […]
LSB steps up enforcement against SRA ‘to protect consumers’
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has initiated further enforcement action to secure “urgent improvements” at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The oversight body said it is “disappointed” by the standard of leadership and accountability demonstrated by the SRA’s board in response to the “serious regulatory failures that have repeatedly occurred”, which have come “at significant […]
HMRC sends ‘educational letter’ to prevent borderline IHT estates from receiving £3,200 in fines
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that grieving families could be hit with up to £3,200 in fines due to “misunderstandings” in understanding their tax obligations. HMRC is issuing an educational letter as a “preventative and educational exercise” to help estate inheritors who mistakenly think they are exempt to better understand what to do […]
PM will abstain from assisted dying vote ‘to avoid influencing debate’
The prime minister will not vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill when it returns to parliament next month to avoid influencing debate, he has told government ministers. In a personal minute shared with ministers last week, Andy Burnham said the government will remain neutral on the “deeply personal” question of assisted […]
Concerns raised over Legal Ombudsman fee hike
The Law Society has raised “serious concerns” over proposed changes to fees for the Legal Ombudsman. The 12 week consultation period on The Office for Legal Complaints’s (OLC) proposed changes to the Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO) Scheme Rules closed on 2nd September. Under the proposals, case fees would increase from £400 to £600, with £750 for […]
Getting the legacy conversation started: resources for professionals
With Remember a Charity Week just days away, director of the charity campaign Lucinda Frostick joins the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast to share details of this year’s activities and efforts to spread the legacy giving message beyond will writing. Recognising the growing role of wealth advisers and independent financial advisers in the wider estate […]