Probate naivety fuels growth of regulated-lending opportunities
The naivety of consumers around the costs associated with estate administration is placing huge financial pressures on people at a time of great distress as they navigate the process of dealing with bereavement and managing estate administration. It’s part of the story behind the growth of FCA-regulated lenders who offer options to families hit by […]
Why digital assets could fuel the next generation of inheritance disputes
Geoff Kertesz is a partner in the trust and probate litigation team at Stewarts, specialising in complex trust and estate disputes, often with an offshore element. He acts in both domestic and international matters, with experience spanning the UK, US, Bermuda, Channel Islands, Cayman Islands, BVI and Hong Kong. Qualified in California as well as […]
STEP urges Treasury to rethink IHT on pensions
STEP has written to the Treasury to highlight what it says are “serious issues” in the proposed pensions tax changes that will result in families owing tax before probate is granted. The letter sets out recommendations to resolve eight practical issues STEP says risk creating difficulties for bereaved families, personal representatives, beneficiaries and pension scheme […]
IHT receipts climb amid ‘concerning’ lack of frozen threshold awareness
The latest inheritance tax receipts from HMRC, covering April to August, show an increase of £0.1 billion compared to the same period last year, with a total of £3.8 billion. Receipts in June 2026 were the highest on record. HMRC expects higher receipts to continue due to a combination of higher volumes of wealth transfers […]
Housing wealth ‘needed for retirement’ as 15m are under-saving
Housing wealth will play an increasingly important role in maintaining retirement living standards over the next 50 years, an Equity Release Council (ERC) report claims, with 15 million people estimated to be under-saving for retirement. Figures in the ERC’s Fairer Finance – The Retirement Compass report also suggest one in 10 working age people are […]
FCA’s pure protection report ‘most important regulatory review for years’
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its final Pure Protection Market Study report, setting out the work it will do to protect consumers. In a statement accompanying the report, the FCA said: “While the market is working well for consumers who have protection insurance, millions of people remain unprotected. Around 58% of adults have […]
SRA does not have power to demand privileged documents, High Court rules
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) does not have the power to requisition documents subject to legal professional privilege, the High Court has ruled. In Carter-Ruck Solicitors & another v Solicitors Regulation Authority, Mr Justice Butcher ruled the SRA cannot require regulated persons to produce documents or information which is subject to their clients’ legal professional […]
Exports of UK legal services reach nearly £11bn as international demand soars
Exports of UK legal services rose to almost £11 billion in 2025, as international demand soars. The new International Data Insights report published by the Law Society has revealed the global strength of English law and London’s leading position as an international legal centre. UK legal sector exports have grown by more than 60% in […]
Firm news: the latest updates in wills and probate
Co-op Legal Services has marked its 20 year anniversary this month. Since launching in 2006, the provider of probate and estate administration services has grown to be the largest in England and Wales, dealing with over £3 billion in estates each year. Caoilionn Hurley, managing director of Co-op Legal Services (pictured), said: “For 20 years, […]