Autumn Budget: What could we expect?
With the Autumn budget just days away Today’s Wills and Probate has asked solicitors and estate planners what they are hoping for from chancellor John Healey’s highly anticipated annual statement. Concerns around succession planning for family businesses, particularly for the farming community and business entrepreneurs, along with the arrival of unused pension pots contributing to […]
COLP/COFA separation could have had ‘unintentional consequences’ as SRA outlines next steps
The Solicitors Regulations Authority has confirmed it will “work with stakeholders, including through working groups” to identify alternatives to the proposals to separate compliance officer roles from those with unilateral decision making. Last month the SRA said it would “pause” those plans after it faced backlash from the profession. Now the regulator says it acknowledged […]
Sole practitioner struck off after practising without insurance and misleading SRA
The sole practitioner of a law firm has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) and ordered to pay costs of over £45,000 after he was found to have acted “dishonestly”. Andrew Lee, the sole director, manager and compliance officer of London-based firm Prometheus Law Ltd, continued to act for clients despite his […]
‘We’re not looking to catch you out’ says FCA in latest update on AML supervision takeover
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has assured the legal community it is “not looking to catch you out” where firms are “ trying to do the right thing” in a speech delivered by executive director of enforcement and market oversight, Steve Smart at the Law Society Economic Crime Conference 2026. In a transfer of powers, […]
IHT revenues surge to £4.7bn as frozen thresholds catch ‘ordinary families’
Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts reached £4.7 billion between April and September, up £300 million on the same period last year, as rising asset values and frozen thresholds increased the number of estates liable for the levy. The latest figures released by HMRC have triggered warnings from estate planners and wealth managers that IHT is “becoming […]
AI is not a legal entity and responsibility remains human, Law Society warns
New guidance on artificial intelligence (AI) published by the Law Society of England and Wales makes it clear that these tools are not a legal entity and responsibility remains human. A new Law Society practice note gives specific guidance on how lawyers can integrate AI in their practice in line with their professional obligations. However, […]
Why LPA certification needs more than a signature
The cancellation of six lasting powers of attorney following failures involving a certificate provider raises questions about how this statutory safeguard operates in practice. Andrew McManus considers the judgment and argues for proportionate records, a clear pathway for accessing them and greater scrutiny of providers who certify LPAs commercially or repeatedly. The Court of Protection […]