The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), has launched a review of its overall approach to protecting consumers in response to shifting risks in the sector. The review focuses on two main areas. Firstly, how to reduce
A solicitor, Alison Haley Griffiths, 55, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after confessing to committing two counts of fraud by abusing her position, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. Griffiths, who
The deadline for bereavement support payments is looming as parents who have lost a partner have until February 8th to make a backdated claim to the government for financial help. Previously, only married couples or
HMRC has released Pension Schemes Newsletter 155, offering insights into various updates, notably the elimination of the lifetime allowance (LTA) and details on the operation of the pension commencement excess lump sum (PCELS). The Finance
New and returning equity release customers in Q4 totalled 13,651, down from 17,078 in Q3 2023 and 20,597 in Q4 2022, according to the Equity Release Council’s report. Throughout 2023, 26,119 customers took out new
The Probate Professionals User Group meeting update took place this week and revealed that HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service ) have confirmed that they are aware of the concern raised by some probate professionals
Improvements to the probate service could mitigate the financial and emotional impact of delays on bereaved families, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has said. Responding to the Justice Committee inquiry into probate, ICAEW said that despite
A significant rise in asset prices coupled with an increased incidence of dementia has led to a notable uptick in inheritance disputes finding their way into courts across England and Wales, as reported by The
The Power of Support is an innovative new knowledge and community hub aimed at individuals who haven’t taken any legal advice when preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”). Whilst the hub does not provide specific
Inheritance lawyers are cautioning that a substantial number of individuals are neglecting to address their digital assets when drafting a will. Melinda Rice, a senior associate at mfg Solicitors, has observed a growing trend of
The UK government has ambitious missions to address inflation and grow the economy and the legal services sector stands ready to play its part, solicitors’ leaders have said. The Law Society of England and Wales
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed its intention to undertake an independent review of regulatory events leading up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) intervention into Axiom Ince. This was a significant case with
HM Revenue and Customs revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for April to December 2023 were £5.7 billion, which is £0.4 billion higher than in the same period the previous year. The increase of 7.5%
SFE has made the move to become The Association of Lifetime Lawyers to futureproof the organisation and better reflect the broad range of clients that benefit from its members’ expertise. Since 1996 the membership organisation
Severe delays that currently see clients being advised that probate will take at least nine months, will not improve without adequate resources, says CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives). The waiting time for probate
STEP has responded to the House of Commons Justice Committee’s inquiry into the probate service in England and Wales amid concerns about delays. Many bereaved families are waiting more than 11 months for probate to
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has published its provider survey of the civil legal aid market to inform its Civil Legal Aid Review. The survey shows that providers cannot make a profit from civil legal
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New data from Legal & General Home Finance shows that home improvements continued to be the primary reason that new equity release customers took out a lifetime mortgage last year (51%). Customers often used their
This week, the Supreme Court heard the appeal in the case of Hirachand v Hirachand. In the initial ruling, the Court of Appeal held that success fees can be recovered from an estate as part
Recent findings from SunLife’s annual report reveal a significant increase in the UK’s cost of dying, now at an all-time high of £9,658. This figure includes funeral expenses, professional fees, and additional send-off costs, marking
The UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice has said that a new management team has been installed in the probate registry as part of a recovery plan to address persistent delays in issuing grants.
Paul Douglas Hills, a solicitor admitted in 1990, has been removed from the roll following his agreement with the Solicitors Regulation Authority, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. Hills admitted to keeping client fees
BEST Foundation are back this year with their second annual conference; The Inspiration & Innovation Conference 2.0, The Flight to Your Success that will be hosted at the Concorde Conference Centre in Manchester on Tuesday
Insuristic has announced its intention to launch Insuristic Estate Protect which will help Solicitors arrange Missing Will, Missing Beneficiary, Section 27 and Early Distribution insurance in approximately 40 seconds – with savings of up to
New findings Cornerstone Tax have revealed that British pension holders could be entitled to nearly £6 billion in stamp duty refunds from HMRC due to being misadvised in relation to the tax. The revelation comes
55% of professionals think employers should be doing more to help with employee wellbeing – whilst over two-fifths of senior leaders feel their increased spending on wellness benefits is going by largely unnoticed. A new
The UK’s latest life expectancy data, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), revealed a decline attributed largely to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boys born during 2020-2022 are now expected to live up to
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed unprecedented changes in many fields, including the legal sector. A significant amendment to the Wills Act 1837 exemplifies this shift. This amendment, introduced to accommodate the challenges posed by the pandemic,
New research has revealed important differences in the behaviours and attitudes towards legacy giving of the baby boomer generation (born 1945-1964) compared to Generation X (born 1965-1980), which could help charities better steward supporters into
Women in Wills (WIW) is seeking an enthusiastic and visionary leader to take on the role of Chair for a 12-month tenure. This prestigious voluntary position offers a unique opportunity to steer and shape the
In a recent blog published by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), Zoe, a 52-year-old audiologist from Macclesfield, shares her journey on establishing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Zoe, who has worked in