Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate.
The government has launched its long-awaited consultation on reforms that would give cohabiting couples greater financial protections when relationships end, and automatic inheritance rights when a partner dies without a will. The proposals would also
A couple who abused their positions as power of attorney for the husband’s elderly parents have been forced to return the money and sentenced to six years in prison. Gary and Diane Mansell were convicted
The government has launched its long-awaited consultation on reforms that would give cohabiting couples greater financial protections when relationships end, and automatic inheritance rights when a partner dies without a will. The proposals would also
Inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for April experienced a rare drop, with the monthly figure of £0.7 billion representing a £65 million decrease on the same period last year. Experts are in agreement the fall precedes
The Law Society of England and Wales says it is communicating with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on the progress being made to reform wills and probate legislation, and is sharing “consistent messaging that reform
In the latest private client announcements, Payne Hicks Beach has appointed a new partner, Bendles Solicitors has promoted three new associates, and TWM Solicitors has expanded its mediation offering with specialist services in private client
Ampla Finance, the specialist lender focused on legal finance and inheritance-related lending, has expanded its team with three new appointments across marketing and introducer-facing roles, while Simkins has promoted Oliver Sharp to partner in the
The King has approved the appointment of Lord Justice Snowden as a Justice of the Supreme Court, while the Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of seven new members of the Civil Justice Council (CJC).
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has summoned the Solicitors Regulation Authority to an in-person meeting before the end of May to seek assurance that it has the necessary expertise and oversight approach to deliver the
Research repeatedly points to the adoption of AI in the legal sector as no longer being an optional extra, but a strategic priority. Today’s Wills and Probate editor Juliet Shaw takes a look at the
A private client solicitor has been struck off after billing clients for wills and probate work he hadn’t done and authorising the transfer of £216,00o from a client account to pay for bills that had
A fixed share partner responsible for wills, trust and probate has been struck off by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for backdating a memorandum of appropriation and misleading a client with regard to the address a
The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) has published its 2026-27 Business Plan & Budget for the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), which includes a strong emphasis on preventing complaints from arising and reducing unnecessary escalation. Complaints have
A probate solicitor who repeatedly misled clients about grant of probate applications – in one case for 19 months – has been struck off. Rachel Parker, who was admitted to the Roll in February 2019
The onset of spring has seen a series of private client announcements from firms, with IDR Law expanding into London, Boodle Hatfield unveiling its latest promotions, and Steele Raymond expanding its southern presence with the
A survey of legal services clients has found that although the vast majority (84%) are happy with the service they receive, 66% said they would never leave a review. Access Legal surveyed 1,000 clients who
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) in its appeal against Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys, which limited the extent to which legal executives and paralegals
Law firms and practitioners have responded to the Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn the decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys, which limited the extent to which legal executives and paralegals can conduct litigation.
The annual benchmarking survey from Remember a Charity reveals the changing approach to will-making across the generations, with 28% of Gen X respondents saying they would make a will online or have already done so,
The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in CILEX & Ors v Mazur & Ors. Allowing the appeal, Sir Colin Birss, Chancellor of the High Court, said “it is hard to see why this
Pensions minister Torsten Bell (pictured) has set out the action the government will take to support thousands of bereaved families who have been unable to access savings of deceased relatives held with National Savings &
Dignity, the funeral plan provider and owner of low-cost probate service Farewill, is being investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) as part of a crackdown on fake and misleading reviews. The investigation is
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on how to make it easier for firms to give more simplified forms of individualised financial advice to consumers, which the regulator says could mean more people accessing
Law Society president Mark Evans is raising funds and awareness for mental health in the legal sector at the TCS London Marathon in April. Evans will run the marathon alongside solicitors Kayleigh Wilding and Matt
Jurit LLP has appointed Caroline Williams as a consultant solicitor within its expanding private wealth and tax team, while Kingsley Napley has added Kelly Greig and Abbie West-Kelsey to its growing international tax team. Greig
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has shared its critical response to the Ministry of Justice’s review of the Legal Services Board, claiming its “fragmented and outdated regulatory design” make it impossible to meet its statutory
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has opened submissions at the Court of Appeal in its appeal against the ruling in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys, which limited the extent to which legal executives
The Legal Services Board (LSB) should continue to strengthen its oversight of regulators’ performance to avoid consumer harm and prevent collapses such as Axiom Ince and SSB Group from happening again, the Law Society of
In 2025, the legal sector mental health charity LawCare supported 753 people – more than any previous year, including during the pandemic. The charity’s online chat function – which is offered alongside a telephone helpline
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has published its complaint data for Q3 of 2025/26 which reveals “a sustained and accelerating demand” for help and the highest complaint volumes for any previous quarter on record. The number
UK Finance has updated the Estate Administration Banking Protocol that gives probate practitioners clear guidance on how to engage with regulated financial services when representing bereaved families. The Law Society of England and Wales has
The government has launched a review of the Legal Services Board (LSB) to ensure current regulatory arrangements are effective and do not duplicate initiatives of frontline regulators. The review was announced by Sarah Sackman, minister