Farmers’ leaders have urged the Prime Minister to halt proposed changes to agricultural inheritance tax while consultations with the industry take place. National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw told MPs that farmers are prepared
The rate of assisted dying in Canada has risen for the fifth consecutive year, though at a slower pace than in previous years. Health Canada released its fifth annual report since the country legalised assisted
Vulnerable individuals in south-east England have reported losing control of their finances and property after engaging with Craybeck Law, a firm based in Essex, as reported by The BBC. At the centre of the controversy
A will written on the back of cardboard food packaging has been upheld as valid by the High Court, allowing Diabetes UK to inherit an estate worth £180,000, as reported by The Guardian. Malcolm Chenery,
Since its launch in February 2022, the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast has become a must-listen for professionals in the wills and probate sector. With over 50 episodes and 7,500+ downloads, it continues to deliver
The myth that older people are more prepared for retirement is just a myth, according to new research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham. Only a fifth of all savers in the UK (19%) have fully
The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to exempt “working farms” from upcoming inheritance tax changes announced in the recent Budget. From April 2026, agricultural properties valued over £1 million will be subject to a
Kelly Greig TEP, Partner at Blick Rothenberg, has been re-elected as worldwide Chair of STEP for a second term, effective 1st January 2025. With over 21,000 members worldwide, STEP’s mission is to inspire confidence in
Hospice leaders in England have raised alarms over a mounting crisis in palliative care, with about 300 inpatient beds currently closed or out of use, as reported by The BBC. They attribute the closures to
While traditional and modern auctions share some principles, their execution and implications differ, often sparking debate among industry insights. Traditional auctions have long been a cornerstone of the property market, particularly for probate properties. Nick
John Adams, a funeral director from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, has successfully campaigned for his petition to introduce bereavement lessons in schools to be debated in Parliament on Monday. The petition, signed by more than 11,300 people,
An oral agreement among shareholders regarding the transfer of shares upon death can be valid and binding, the England and Wales High Court (EWHC) has ruled. The court determined that such an agreement may not
Data from the Bank of England, obtained by LCP partner and former pensions minister Steve Webb, reveals a significant shift in the mortgage market. In the second quarter of 2024, just over two in five
The gross value added (GVA) from UK legal services is estimated to have increased by 50% in the last decade. According to the newly published Economic Value report by the Law Society of England and
As November concludes, BEST Foundation have wrapped up Mental Capacity Month, celebrating a successful campaign dedicated to sharing valuable insights, exploring the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and reflecting on how these principles
Irwin Mitchell has added a specialist will, trust and estate disputes Partner to its team in the Thames Valley region. Tara McInnes, a Partner and specialist in will, trust and estate disputes qualified in 2001
New freedom of information (FOI) data obtained by Quilter, the financial adviser and wealth manager has revealed that a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) application was finally processed after 2,777 working days, which is the
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced a £20 million investment to increase civil legal aid fees for immigration and housing, marking the first increase for any civil legal aid providers since the mid-nineties. The
In a debate in the House of Commons, MPs expressed deeply divided opinions on the Assisted Dying Bill, which proposes granting terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live the choice to end
In a debate in the House of Commons, MPs expressed deeply divided opinions on the Assisted Dying Bill, which proposes granting terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live the choice to end
Former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron has announced his support for legalising assisted dying for terminally ill adults, a shift from his previous stance. Writing in The Times, Lord Cameron explained that while he had
CILEx Regulation Ltd (CRL) has published research into the activity of the unregulated legal services sector in the UK, and has called for a sector-wide discussion on how consumers can be best protected from unregulated
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found that while life insurers provide good service to bereaved customers, they need to settle claims quicker and improve how they measure customer experience. The multi-firm review found evidence
The root causes of diseases like cancer, dementia and heart disease are set to be better understood thanks to the development of a world-first ‘epigenetic map’ of the human genome – which could lead to
This comes as the regulator reveals it opened 603 cases relating to fraud and a further 99 cases relating to cyber crime issues in the last year. Launching in Charity Fraud Awareness Week, the charity
Two in five adults who are currently renting (39%) expect to still be renting when they retire, highlighting a major risk to their later life financial security if millions are left to fund housing costs
While the Mental Health Bill marks a positive step towards mental health reform, the government must support new legislation with more funding, more clarity and more safeguards, said the Law Society of England and Wales.
Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP (FJG) has strengthened its Wills, Planning and Probate team with the appointment of Clare Moreton as a new partner. With over two decades of dedicated experience in private client work, Clare
Long awaited legislation to reform care for mental health patients is one step closer to becoming law, as the Mental Health Bill has Second Reading in the House of Lords. The Mental Health Bill, introduced
National law firm Freeths has expanded its Trusts, Estates and Tax (TeT) talent in the East Midlands by a third over the past 12 months as it continues to bolster its offering for clients. In
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has defended the proposed assisted dying bill, describing it as a matter of personal choice and empowerment, as reported by The BBC. Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Kendall
New analysis has found that a single homeowner in England with an average priced home (£308,782) and enough savings to enjoy a moderate retirement (£459,000) will be liable to £107,000 inheritance tax (IHT) from 2027