LexisNexis has released their latest Bellwether report which reveals that 46% of law firms are expecting to grow throughout tthe duration of this year. The report also revealed that whilst there is a desire for
A man sued his own parents in a legal battle over their £2.3 million family farm after their relationship reportedly deteriorated. Businessman Sean Preson decided to buy a farm with his parents so that he
The ex-wife and children of a man with a successful ice cream business have won a High Court inheritance battle over a significant slice of his fortune. Ernesto Colicci, the successful business owner, passed away
A paralegal has been banned from working in a legal practise without the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) prior approval after dishonestly obtaining substantial sums of money for herself and her sister, as reported in the
The legal sector is changing. 100 years on from Carrie Morrison’s qualification as the first female solicitor, women now make up 53% of practising solicitors and 69% of applicants to law schools. The profession is
The England and Wales High Court has upheld the witnessing of a will through a car window in the early days of the pandemic. His Honour Judge Tindal found that Stanley, the 90-year-old testator, had
The government is increasingly facing calls to extend loss relief from 12 to 18 or 24 months as probate delays continue to worsen. This comes as recent figures revealed that probate applications remain delayed despite
Following the announcement that the government has launched a fresh plan to tackle fraud, new figures show that just 29% of pension fraud reports are sent for police investigation on average. The figures, obtained by
New findings show that solicitors and professional Will-writers are playing an increasingly important role in charitable Will-writing, with almost three-quarters (73%) always or sometimes raising the option of leaving charitable bequests in Wills to their
New research from Legacy Foresight has revealed that charity income from legacy giving is set to remain broadly stable at around £3.9bn per year having reached £3.85bn in 2022. Charity income from gifts in wills
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been urged by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) not to force retirement schemes to invest in riskier and complex assets, according to The Times. It’s said the chancellor’s preference
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event observed in many places around the world. The aim of this week is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to reduce the stigma
Portugal has voted to allow euthanasia to help people pass if they are in intense suffering. The vote overruled a number of vetoes used by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the conservative president of the country,
Probate applications remain delayed despite a slight decrease in the wait for paper applications, new data from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has revealed. For the 26,637 grants of probate issues in March 2023,
New research has revealed that civil service delays are causing huge disruption and emotional anguish to bereaved families trying to unlock estates, according to a private client solicitor at law firm Mayo Wynne Baxter. HM
Friday 12th May marks the deadline for early bird entries to the British Wills and Probate Awards 2023 at the discounted rate of £129 +VAT. The event is set to take place at a brand
New data has revealed that nine in ten workers are saving less than needed for a comfortable retirement, reported by The Times. The report revealed that “workers, bosses and government may all have to contribute
Talbots Law has announced the acquisition of Sarginsons Law having seen fees accelerate to £22m in 2022, will retain all of the company’s 20 legal professionals. This includes Managing Partner Ian Cox, Finance Partner Lynne
A new report from The National Will Register has found that 42% of adults in the UK have not spoken to anyone about what should happen to their estate upon their passing. Even among over
Probate solicitors and “heir hunters” were awarded for their success in solving international intestacy cases, predominantly linked to recent deaths of nationals born in their countries of origin – that gained independence in the mid
A businessman has been jailed for five and a half years at Southward Crown Court for forging his mother’s will to get £40 million share of his family’s Malaysian palm oil plantation, according to reports.
Rishi Sunak has said to be considering an inheritance tax cut ahead of the next general election, according to the Independent. Recent figures from HM Revenue & Customs revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts are
New data has revealed that one in four people (25%) plan to invest in property to generate income for their retirement and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. With inflation standing at a 45-year high of 10.4%,
Irwin Mitchell has added to its Private Client Services Team in London with the appointment of partner Sangita Manek. The team describes itself as “the second largest private client team in the country and one
A new taskforce to help improve housing options for older people will be headed by Professor Julienne Meyer. Professor Meyer, a leading expert in care for older people, will chair the Older People’s Housing Taskforce,
A new survey of solicitors indicates that the profession views the reduction in legal aid availability as a major reason for the decline in access to justice, the Law Society of England and Wales revealed.
The High Court has rejected a man’s claim that his 92-year-old mother forged his late father’s will after he brought her to court. As reported in the Law Society Gazette, Master Clark “accepted the evidence
Co-Op Legal Services has suggested it is now the largest regulated provider of wills, estate planning and probate services. The claim comes following the release of its annual figures which show revenue growth of 19%
It has been 10 years since the government took an “axe to legal aid” and justice is increasingly out of reach for those in most need, as evidenced by new maps from the Law Society
New data has revealed that 79% of grandparents have helped their grandchildren financially and 8% turn to property wealth to fund this support. A survey by Legal & General Home Finance (LGHF) of 2,000 grandparents
A landmark study has revealed the reasons behind recent “seismic changes” in the UK’s attitude towards funerals, explaining why people are abandoning traditional ceremonies and undertakers. The Big Future of Funerals Survey was undertaken by
Inheritance specialists, Perane, have uncovered billions of pounds owed to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) through deceased shareholdings which are “slipping under the taxman’s radar”. Perane have spent the last 12 months developing a