Our ‘Technical Corner’ brings you information that will help you to continue to grow and develop in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Emily Deane TEP, STEP Technical Counsel. If you have
A Manchester-headquartered law firm lead generator has secured funding to support the growth of the business as it looks to strengthen its market position both organically and via acquisition. mmadigital already captures more online leads
Kate Johnson’s article of 26 August provided an interesting insight into the view of charity legacy teams held by some probate practitioners. Indeed, when I left private practice to join the third sector eighteen months
Rob Rinder, criminal barrister and television personality will host the 2022 Probate Research Awards in person – otherwise known as ‘The Probies’ – on 28 April 2022 at the One Great George Street in Westminster,
Knights has announced the acquisition of one of the North East’s longest standing law firms for just over £5m, expanding their operations and adding a 17th location across the country. Archers Law LLP is a
The Inheritance Tax (Delivery of Accounts) (Excepted Estates) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 have been amended to implement previous suggestions made earlier in the year by HM Treasury’s Office for Tax Simplification to exempt more estates from
New data from recent reports suggests that despite increased warnings to businesses and individuals to review cyber security measures, phishing scams and nuisance attacks are on the rise. A report released by the UK’s Information
Rishi Sunak launched his latest budget with a stirring defence of current policy, claiming that jobs growth, economic recovery and wage rises pointed to the success of the investment the government in making as part
65% of UK consumers who believe their affairs are simple, actually have much more complex needs when it comes to their Will according to research published this week. “Online Wills: Are they worth the paper
Law firm Pinsent Masons confirms that HMRC opened 3,574 investigations into Inheritance Tax (IHT) in 2020-21 resulting in £254 million in revenue. The firm also revealed that more people are now filing their own returns
The Ministry of Justice (“MOJ”) published a consultation paper – “Modernising Lasting Powers of Attorney” – on 20 July 2021. The consultation sets out seven proposals to modernise Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”) and considers
In a recent article by Kate Johnson at Wedlake Bell in Today’s Wills and Probate, Ms Johnson sets out her view that it is preferable for testators to benefit charities by including a discretionary trust
Thomas Sismey v Marissa Salandron This case is the first which sees section 11 of the Inheritance Act 1975 being litigated to trial, providing significant consequences for both estate, family and insolvency law. Imogen Halstead,
Arron Banks, the millionaire UKIP supporter has lost an appeal case to exempt £1 million in political donations from inheritance tax (IHT). Mr Banks challenged HMRC’s assessment that he owed just over £160,000 on almost
It has been an incredible winning week for Norwich-based Heritage Wills, scooping two prestigious industry awards. At the start of the week, Heritage Wills collected the Will Writing Organisation of the Year Award for an
LawSure the UK’s leading specialist title and legal indemnity insurance broker have announced a new and exciting change for the company. Current Managing Director Brian Hall will assume the role of Executive Chairman, whilst Mandy
Doreen Lofthouse, Fisherman’s Friend business owner and “the mother of Fleetwood” leaves £41 million to the seaside town. A business woman and resident of the coastal town of Fleetwood has donated £41 million of her
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its 2021-22 business plan, outlining its key areas of work for the coming year. Publication follows a consultation exercise earlier this year which saw more than 8,000 people
A rise in contentious probate is anticipated as a result of research which shows that many Wills provided by online providers may not provide enough protection for the testator or testatrix. The research was conducted
The Equity Release Council have released its Q3 market statistics which show that homeowners are, for the first time, set to access over £4bn of property wealth via equity release. 2021 has seen £3.46bn released
The private members Assisted Dying Bill cleared its second reading in the House of Lords on Friday. Introduced by Baroness Meacher in May 2021, the bill seeks to provide greater clarification over the issue of
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has concluded that legal unbundling services should be promoted more proactively in a bid to reduce scepticism and encourage more firms to offer the service. Defined as “the separation of
The assisted Dying bill will have its second reading in the Lords today, giving peers the opportunity to discuss and debate the main principles governing the proposals to change a person’s right to die. Introduced
The British Wills and Probate Awards returned in style this evening at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The great and the good of the industry came together to recognise and celebrate the success of all
The Legal Services Board (LSB) are conducting research to better understand the legal services market which is not covered by the regulators they oversee. The survey has been launched alongside the Society of Willwriters (SWW)
CILEx Regulation is delighted to announce that the Legal Services Board has approved its application to provide ongoing legal regulation to ACCA accountants delivering non-contentious probate services. Following the decision by ACCA earlier this year
A Court of Appeal ruling passed down today has confirmed that the “success fee” element of conditional fee agreements (CFAs) can be recovered as part of an award under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and
Changes to the money laundering regulations should focus on increasing the effectiveness of efforts to tackle money laundering through a more risk-based and proportionate approach, said the Law Society of England and Wales in response
Having spent two decades specialising in capital taxes planning for a Big Four accounting firm working alongside Private Client lawyers, it was second nature to me to enhance my role within a hospice charity by
New research has found that around 2 million retirees are yet to make a Will. the breakdown covers around 12% of over 75’s and 22% of 65-74 year olds who do not have a will
The Charity Commission is today warning charity leaders to protect their organisations against fraud and cybercrime, after new figures show charities reported almost £8.6 million of lost funds in the last financial year. This latest
Pensioners must now spend more to cover basic living costs as funding a comfortable retirement has jumped by more than £2000 per year for couples. An industry report predicts that an extra £40,000 will be