Matilda Battersby is a freelance journalist and editor, and a senior reporter at the Today’s Media titles. She worked at The Independent newspaper for many years, but has also worked at The Times, Evening Standard, Telegraph and I newspapers since going freelance in 2015. Her specialisms are property and books, having worked extensively for various trade property magazines and The Bookseller magazine. She is based in East London.
Alex Norris has become the first non-lawyer to be granted the post of Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in a Labour government. The MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley, who on Monday
A firm has been fined over £12,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for misconduct in handling client money, while a solicitor has received a rebuke for misconduct in the administration of an estate. Kings
Potential care costs are the biggest retirement concerns among over-55s, new research suggests. A survey of 2,174 UK adults, conducted by YouGov for UK wealth management firm Mattioli Woods, highlights that that while over-55s are
MPs are calling for the threshold for when a probate fee becomes payable to be quadrupled from £5,000 to £20,000. In June, the government announced probate application fees will rise to £526, an increase of
Almost half of homeowners (47%) described themselves as “just getting by” financially, yet their estimated estates are well above the current Inheritance Tax (IT) threshold. New research by high-interest savings platform Flagstone shows that of
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data reveals the number of Black judges has remained “disappointingly stagnant”. The diversity of the judiciary statistics for 2026 show Black judges make up only 1.6% of the judiciary, up slightly
A solicitor who failed to complete a Firm Closure Notification (FCN) after being repeatedly contacted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been suspended from practice for two years. A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) fined
The widow of a “giant of the legal profession in Birmingham” has lost her appeal against a 28-day suspended prison sentence for contempt. Sophie Fleming was previously found to have harassed the executors of her
Pension firms must do more for customers in older pensions and fund savings, according to the financial services regulator. In a multi-firm review of consumer duty price and value practices, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Retirement options and later life lending are being complicated by the rising numbers of older people getting divorced, according to Key Equity Release. The divorce rate among those aged 65+ has doubled since the early
One in four over 55s have never discussed inheritance, new research suggests. The research by YouGov for wealth management and employee benefits firm Mattioli Woods highlights a persistent reluctance among over-55s in the UK to
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