St Paul’s Cathedral has launched the Remember Me Project which includes a national book of remembrance to help celebrate and reflect on the lives of the people who have tragically lost their lives to Covid-19. The tangible book is welcoming messages from all faiths including those who do not have a religious or spiritual belief. […]Read More
In a short commentary for Today’s Conveyancer, Simon McCrum, former Managing Partner of national firm Darbys Solicitors, discusses his experience of joining the business in 2007 just weeks before the Credit Crunch. That business in due course became the UK’s fastest-growing law firm. Now a Management Consultant for law firms through McCrum Consulting, Simon shares […]Read More
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Although plans for the Gala Dinner, scheduled for 22nd October 2020, have been put on hold until there is greater clarity from the Government on the nature of social distancing requirements post-lockdown, The British […]Read More
Technology and internet enabled devices have helped the world remain connected whilst in lockdown. For many key workers providing Wills services, this has been a time of quick adaptation. Firms and businesses have needed to provide a digital service whether that is through completing the Wills process or advertising their services. High street providers, reliant […]Read More
The eight-week introductory period for the new standard grant of representation application forms will lapse from Monday May 18. Any probate application using outdated methods involving a ‘statement of truth’ will now face delays as their forms, including the old statement of truth, ‘will be returned with a request for the appropriate new form.’ The […]Read More
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates that the UK has suffered over 50,000 more excess deaths in the opening five months of 2020. Unfortunately, this means that more clients are likely to need probate services for deceased relatives who have fallen victim to the virus. Governmental working restrictions are beginning to ease and […]Read More
The Law Society of England and Wales is urging law firms to remain cautious when entering ‘unchartered waters’ as the lockdown restrictions are lifted and legal businesses are free to work form their offices. Simon Davis suggests all law firms adapt and embed new risk assessment protocols to ensure employees and clients are kept safe. […]Read More
A New York based law firm, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, who are predominantly used by the world’s rich and famous, have suffered a substantial cyber attack. The cyber criminals claim to have access to over 756 gigabytes of the law firm’s and its client’s personal data, including legal contracts, personal email accounts and email […]Read More
Data released yesterday has found that the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in care homes is falling for the first time since the first recorded virus death at the start of April. According to the weekly ‘Deaths Registered in England and Wales’, 2,423 care home resident deaths attributed Covid-19 as the cause of death […]Read More
The Government has just announced an extension of the furlough scheme to October with no changes before end of July. Details of changes after that will be provided by the end of May but are likely to require an employer contribution. The Chancellor confirmed employees will continue to receive at least 80% of salaries and […]Read More
Care worker deaths attributed to Covid-19 are statistically significantly higher than the average rates of coronavirus deaths involving working age adults. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) death data up to April 20, 2,494 working age adults (between 20 and 64 years old) have been killed by the virus. Of this number, 131 registered […]Read More
With care home deaths related to Covid-19 continuing to rise despite hospital deaths falling in recent weeks, the government’s 50 page ‘recovery’ document details the further protections and procedures being put in place to detect and prevent further care home fatalities. According to weekly death rate data in care homes up to April 24, almost […]Read More
Following the Government’s plea for the Church of England to start officiating small funerals in their buildings again, the House of Bishops met via Zoom to discuss and agree a phased approach in reopening church buildings for official duties. The House of Bishops reiterated that current church closure decisions were made in accordance with Health […]Read More
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Never has there been a more important time to recognise the commitment of individuals and firms within the sector to supporting clients at this unprecedented time. Through Today’s Wills and Probate, we learn […]Read More
Government indications suggest that funeral restrictions should be eased further after a group of 36 MPs have urged the Church of England to allow more church sites to officiate small-scale funerals within the church building. Currently, funerals are only taking place in crematoriums or at the graveside of the deceased after Churches were asked to […]Read More
A number of high profile campaigners are calling for the government to allow oral Wills during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure all testamentary wishes are considered. Whilst many believe that the 1837 Wills Act and its conditions are still being used to ensure abuse, fraud and undue influence are eradicated from the process, Gina Miller, […]Read More
The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have been working hard in recent weeks to consider short and long term ways of amending the 1837 Wills Act to reflect the constraints we now face because of the coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak of Covid-19 has not suddenly sparked the legal sector to consider the […]Read More
Now that the world is social distancing, Wills and probate businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on the innovative technologies enabling the sector to continue working despite being unable to meet clients in person. Last year, Estatesearch were awarded the Innovation of the Year in the British Wills and Probate Awards for greatly improving the customer […]Read More
Sterling Trust Corporation are delighted to welcome Andrea Mapstone to their team, who has joined as their Legal Director. Andrea brings with her a vast amount of experience having worked in the Private Client Sector for over 18 years. Andrea is both a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer and a qualified Trust and Estates Practitioner, being […]Read More
Jersey is now permitting Solicitors and advocates to witness the signing of Wills via video link to help comply with social distancing regulations. The emergency legislation will operate temporarily until September 30 in the first instance. Whilst legal professionals have been innovative with garden signings, window witnessing and ‘drive by’ signings, the States decided that […]Read More
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