A recent High Court decision in Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind v Beasant and Davies concerning will construction disputes and a group of charities, could influence the interpretation of nil-rate band clauses going forward.
Many clients chose to include one or more charities in their will. Often to receive small pecuniary legacies or in default if family and friends predecease, and other times as a main beneficiary. The advantages
Are you in the cyber hot seat? With reams of sensitive personal data and transactions that involve large sums of money, the legal sector is undeniably a massive target for cyber crime. Cyber Security –
The government has announced more than £6.9 billion has been committed to continue driving integration between health and social care and support local recovery from the pandemic. The Better Care Fund (BCF) has been increased
Nick Emmerson has been announced as the new Law Society of England and Wales 2021 deputy vice president (DVP), following the recent election. He takes office as DVP on 14 October 2021 – becoming vice
Solicitors operating as sole practitioners and partnerships are a dying breed, according to a new analysis from Arden Partners plc revealing the changing shape of the solicitor market. Arden’s analysis of Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Index of Services for June reveals that the legal sector is recovering well following the pandemic. Although figures show that the services sector grew by only 1.5% between May
HMRC have released figures which show it’s highest recorded revenues from Inheritance Tax. The spike in Coronavirus deaths at the start of the year and probate delays saw the single largest month ever in July
The shortlist for the British Wills and Probate Awards, sponsored by Executor Solutions, will be released from Tuesday 31st August. Each day throughout the week the category shortlists will be released as excitement builds toward
The Legal Services Board (LSB) have confirmed that individual practising fees will be £266 in 2021/22… a £12 reduction from 2020/21 and a 17% reduction over the last 6 years. Despite an increase in the
The financial services firm NFU Mutual has revealed findings of research into inheritance tax (IHT) and regional divisions. NFU Mutual’s analysis found that there were 22,100 deaths in 2018/19 which resulted in an IHT bill,
The Law Society has urged solicitors to help it respond to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposals to increase fees for probate applications. Proposals were introduced in July to increase the professional and non-professional fees
The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in the case of Baines & Anor v Dixon Coles & Gill (A firm) & Ors [2021] EWCA Civ 1211. As Senior Partner at Dixon Coles &
Can disappointed beneficiaries forge signatures on wills, for their own benefit or the benefit of others? This is an unfortunate issue that contentious practitioners are beginning to see on a more regular basis. A recent
Jamie Spears has reportedly agreed to step down as his daughter’s conservator, allowing the singer to transition into a new legal arrangement. Hailed as a “major victory for Britney Spears” by her lawyer in the
Ahead of the 1 September launch of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), the Law Society has today unveiled guidance to answer common queries for law firms and organisations on qualifying work experience (QWE) for trainee
A new proposal from HM Treasury will require that any virtual-asset transfer of above GBP1,000 must be accompanied by detailed personal information of both the originator and beneficiary. The suggestion is one of several proposed
Implementing a ‘no jab, no job’ policy brings serious pitfalls for business across England, a leading employment lawyer has warned. While it will be the law in England from November 11 for all staff and
Whether advising beneficiaries or trustees about their respective positions, the question of who may be entitled to documentation pertaining to a trust and what documentation should be provided is not straightforward. Invariably beneficiaries consider such
The British Wills and Probate Awards, sponsored by Executor Solutions, returns on the 21st October 2021 with a brand new venue, The Grand Hotel in central Birmingham. The 2021 awards will be hosted as a
A recent IRN Wills and Probate Research Report, titled UK Wills & Probate Market 2020: Consumer Research Report, has found that fewer than 4 in 10 adults in the UK have made a Will. This
A major piece of research conducted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in partnership with the University of Oxford has revealed “extensive” changes in attitudes towards technology and innovation in the legal sector. The Technology
In a recent HMCTS blog post, Deputy Director of HMCTS, Adam Lennon, has responded to feedback and criticisms of the probate service by highlighting proposed changes set to improve the service going forward. HMCTS has
The latest Women in Wills virtual meet on Thursday 29th July was hosted by Heidi Jenkins, Key Relationship Manager from Lawyer Checker. The networking group now has over 750 people in the LinkedIn group and
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has launched its latest crackdown on price transparency compliance. The regulator has this week contacted nearly 500 law firms to request completion of a questionnaire and signed declaration the firm is
The office for national statistics has revealed that Dementia killed more women in 2020 than Covid-19. In 2020 Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease killed 45,922 women and was the leading cause of death in England and
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is set to increase probate charges to a flat fee of £273 for all applicants despite criticisms that the current service is poor and in need of improvement. The planned
A growing number of so called “inheritance hunters” are exploiting older and vulnerable people by grooming them, and then marrying them, so they can inherit their assets and disinherit any family members in the process.
Age UK North Tyneside has joined forces with bereavement service Settld in a landmark agreement which will help to ease end-of-life admin stress for thousands of older people across the region. From Monday August 9th,
The 4th edition of The British Wills and Probate Awards, sponsored by Executor Solutions, will be a hybrid event following the decision to host an in-person event in October. With the details of the venue
I recently had the pleasure to attend a webinar to discuss the work the Group Transformation Division at Lloyds Banking Group have been doing to support colleague’s mental, physical & emotional wellbeing during this difficult
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Crime Survey for England and Wales showed that there were an estimated 4.6 million fraud offences in the year ending March 2021, a 24% increase compared with 2020 figures.