The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposals to improve access to later life lending products for older borrowers have been welcomed as “positive” and “pragmatic” by Key Equity Release. Key warns, however, that proposed changes to
Half of women working in legal services say their current working pattern is unsustainable for their long-term health. A majority (67%) of women lawyers have considered moving jobs or taking a career break due to
New research reveals that across every form of contact, law firms scored themselves significantly higher for customer service than customers did. A survey of 200 law firms and 5,000 consumers discovered the gap between business
The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has urged HMRC to rethink key aspects of its proposed inheritance tax (IHT) framework for pensions. The representative body for providers is warning that the current approach places unrealistic
The majority of UK homeowners above the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold haven’t calculated their potential liability, new research reveals. A survey by Censuswide on behalf of Flagstone, also reveals that 20% of estate holders may
New salary research has revealed the biggest disparity in pay begins four years after lawyers have qualified. Realm’s 2026 Private Client Salary Guide explores salary benchmarks from a survey of 1,000 lawyers and experts across
The former CEO of National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), who “fought tirelessly” for better recognition of paralegals in the UK, has announced she is retiring. Amanda Hamilton (pictured), who is credited with transforming the
The government has announced a proposal to release billions of defined benefit pension scheme surpluses into the UK economy. A defined benefit pension is often called a final salary or career average scheme. It is
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a survey about LGBTQ+ solicitors’ experiences five years after it first launched its Pride in the Law initiative. The Pride in the Law 2026 survey will
Breast Cancer Now’s annual Tour de Law charity race is now open for registration. The event will see barristers and solicitors from across the UK participate and compete in a virtual charity cycling event over
Anyone reporting wrongdoing in the legal sector to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) now has greater protection against the risk of retaliatory action. The SRA has been designated a prescribed person under the Public Interest
Inheritance tax (IHT) thresholds would be £270,000 higher by the 27/28 tax year if they had risen in line with inflation, according to new analysis. The £325,000 nil rate band for IHT would be set
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed a 58% increase in misconduct reports “placing significant pressure” on the number of investigations it is having to undertake. In the six months to the end of April
Controversial plans to transfer the regulation of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have been shelved. The SRA, in a draft 2026-27 business plan published last week, confirmed
A new guide on resealing grants of probate abroad and in Jersey has been published. Resealing allows a UK grant of probate to be recognised by courts in other jurisdictions, including Jersey and certain Commonwealth
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a consultation on changes to the Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations 2013 for inquests. Responses from members of the legal profession working with bereaved families who have experience
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is launching a review of the claims management market amid concerns that consumers are being failed by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms. The review is intended to
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, has urged lawyers to embrace technological change and the use of AI to ensure younger generations engage with the justice system. Sir Geoffrey Vos, head of civil
The latest figures from the Equity Release Council show a decline in both lending and customer numbers. Total lending fell to £574 million in Q1 2026, down 9% on the previous quarter (£632 million) and
A probate solicitor accused of “recklessness” and the sending of “misleading emails” has had a case brought against her by the Solicitors Regulation Authority thrown out. A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal dismissed all misconduct allegations against
A new study aiming to provide the most comprehensive and authoritative insight into the Welsh legal market has opened for anonymous contributions by legal professionals in Wales. The study is being conducted by Legal News
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is increasingly challenging residential property valuations in inheritance tax returns rather than accepting them at “face value”. The number of cases referred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) rose 23.5%
The Solicitors’ Charity partner Lawsight is supporting the call for more tangible action on wellbeing in the law ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week in May. Lawsight is recommending practical steps that can be implemented
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) data shows inheritance tax (IHT) revenue for April 2025 to March 2026 hit a record-breaking £8.5 billion. Receipts for 2025-2026 surpassed the £8.2 billion recorded for the same period the
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has fined Taylor Rose more than £160,000 for compliance failures including failing to return client money promptly. The SRA directed the firm to pay a financial penalty of £160,059, with
Interest in law-related jobs has dropped by a third over the past year, recruitment website data suggests. The number of jobseekers pursuing legal roles fell by 32.9% between January 2026 and 2025, according to Indeed
A judge has handed the housing and homelessness charity Shelter the £4 million fortune of comedian Sean Hughes, after almost a decade of delay caused by a homemade will. The stand up comic (pictured alongside
UK legal professionals spend nearly three hours a day on non-billable tasks, according to a new industry report. Profitability in Law: Global Report 2026, commissioned by LEAP Legal Software, surveyed around 700 legal professionals across
Only 5% of over 55s surveyed by Compare the Market have included digital assets in their wills. The survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed the majority have given no thought to who will inherit their
One in five partners are considering leaving their employers within the next few years, a survey across the UK Top 250 law firms suggests, as assumptions that being made partner meant you had a job
Richard Orpin, the new chief executive of the Legal Services Board, has hailed legal services as a “huge economic success story,” but warned that “AI is blurring the boundaries between regulated and unregulated legal advice.”
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 has removed legal uncertainty and resolved private law impediments to new technology, Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos (pictured) says. Speaking at a reception on 12 March