Estate planning technology company Arken Legal has published an industry response to the Law Commission’s proposed reforms to wills law in England and Wales.
Modernising Wills: An Industry Response has been prepared in collaboration with practitioners, professional bodies and technology providers following an industry roundtable hosted by Arken in October.
The publication brings together perspectives from across the industry, with contributors representing organisations including Birchall Blackburn Law, Culver Law, Norrie Waite & Slater Solicitors, Haig Legal Group, Premier Property Lawyers, Verify365, Farewill, the Society of Will Writers, OneAdvanced, Capacity Vault, Actionstep, and the National Will Register.
“The Law Commission’s proposals mark a pivotal moment for the future of Wills in England and Wales,” said Arken Legal CEO Anthony Philips.
“This response reflects not only industry expertise, but a collective commitment to move forward together. Technology will support this transformation, but the trusted guidance of practitioners will remain at the heart of every decision. Our focus now is on helping the profession navigate these changes with confidence, through secure, reliable digital systems and continued collaboration.”
The paper provides a unified industry perspective on both the opportunities and the practical considerations of implementing the reforms, Arken Legal said. It underscores the need for clear and consistent standards, rigorous identity and capacity verification processes, and secure, reliable systems for creating and managing electronic documents.
It highlights that, while digital tools will enable greater efficiency and consistency, the expertise and judgement of practitioners remain essential to safeguarding clients and delivering high-quality outcomes throughout the modernisation process.
The publication is the first step in a programme of industry work from Arken Legal. Over the coming months, the company will convene further roundtables addressing the practical risks, safeguards and operating standards needed to make the Law Commission’s proposals workable in practice. By working alongside practitioners, technology providers and regulators, the company aims to speed up safe implementation of these reforms.
“As a long-standing provider of estate planning technology, Arken Legal will continue to convene cross-industry dialogue and work with practitioners, regulators and partners to support the development of shared standards,” the company said. “The organisation remains committed to ensuring that firms can rely on secure, reliable, compliant digital systems as the framework for future reform evolves.”
White Paper: Modernising Wills, An Industry Response | Arken
One Response
The modernisation of wills through digital platforms is a vital step forward for our industry. By embracing technology, we can make estate planning more accessible, efficient, and secure meetings with clients where they are in today’s digital-first world. This evolution not only streamlines processes for advisers and families but also strengthens trust and transparency in how legacies are protected.