Property specialists, Aconveyancing, has established its first Wills & Probate department, based at its new Bromsgrove office. Headed up by experienced Director and Solicitor Debbie Locke, the new team has been established in response to
The Office for Legal Complaints today published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2020/21 alongside an Annual Review of Complaints. This Annual Report covers the year from April 2020 when the impact of Covid-19 was
Just 1% of England and Wales’s judiciary is Black – a figure that hasn’t shifted since 2014 despite an increasingly diverse pool of applicants, according to official figures released today. Across all appointment rounds for
Today’s Wills and Probate talks to Rachel Dobson, managing director of Hugh Jones Solicitors, the largest firm of independent Court of Protection solicitors in the country, based in Manchester How did you get involved in
Research published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that 2.3 million adults now hold crypto assets (up from 1.9 million last year) and as many as 78% of adults have now heard of crypto
The FCA recently confirmed rules funeral plan providers must follow when they come under FCA regulation from 29 July 2022. They include a ban on cold-calling, commission payments and require providers to adhere to strict
77% of over-45s have not thought about whether they might need professional care in later life, nor have they planned for it, or spoken to family about it, says the latest Just Group Care Report.
The quick sale of probate property is helping beneficiaries avoid lengthy delays and added costs amidst concerns over the rising numbers of IHT liable estates and average house prices. Following recent reports suggesting that the
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued fines to seven practices that have failed to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) requirements. The firms affected are Manchester practice Law Together LLP, Telford-based Picasso Legal Limited, Smooth
“Contentious probate” is one of those commonly-used phrases in the world of wills and probate which everyone treats as something everyone knows about but actually sometimes it’s helpful to give a bit of a beginner’s
Laura Abbott has joined Shoosmiths to lead the firm’s Disputed Wills and Trusts team in Birmingham, bringing with her considerable expertise in claims using the Inheritance Act, disputes in relation to wills and trusts, claims
Most of the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England are set to be lifted on Monday (19 July) but some may need to be retained to allow courts to run safely and efficiently, the Law Society
The negative impact of the pandemic on mental health has been in the headlines since the first lockdown, and official statistics[1] for the first quarter of 2021 show that the incidence of depression in the
In a series of Supporters in Focus pieces, we are thrilled to introduce our Judges of The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021 Alongside headline sponsor Executor Solutions we look forward to recognising achievement, highlighting
HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is seeking feedback about how it communicates and engages with professionals that work in courts and tribunals. The 2021 communications and engagement survey closes this Friday (16th July) can
Plans to hike fees for probate applications are unwelcome particularly when grieving relatives are suffering because the service is still subject to significant delays, said the Law Society of England and Wales in a response
In a series of Supporters in Focus pieces, we are thrilled to introduce our supporters of The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021 Alongside headline sponsor Executor Solutions we look forward to recognising achievement, highlighting
New research commissioned by the Legal Services Board highlights the importance the public places on lawyers having the right knowledge, up to date skills and attributes to provide good quality legal services. However, the research
The 2021 edition of the Just Group Care Report, a research series that sheds light on how the over-45s think and feel about adult social care, has been published. This year’s report highlights the debate
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
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on a proposed price increase for probate applications as it seeks to address an £85m deficit in the delivery of services in the family jurisdiction. Under the
Monday’s announcement from the Financial Conduct Authority provided some insight into the regulatory regime that will be introduced into the funeral planning sector from 22nd July 2022. Under a new regulatory regime, funeral plan providers
The Legal Services Consumer Panel Tracker Survey reveals a general 4% increase in consumer satisfaction levels in 2021. Despite most legal services currently being provided remotely due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the Legal Services Consumer
For legal professionals, the evaluation of mental capacity can be problematic. A practitioner’s assessment of capacity needs to be robust enough to ultimately be accepted by the courts and, without the necessary clinical expertise, any
The latest Women in Wills meeting saw over 50 practitioners from around the country come together on Zoom to share stories, experiences, and advice. The group has recently passed 750 members and continues to be
Latest findings from the DPO Centre and the Data Protection World Forum (DPWF) UK Data Protection Index show that data retention is now the biggest privacy concern facing organisations in Q2 of this year. The
A white paper on The Future of Working From Home shows that while remote working increases wellbeing and productivity in employees, lack of support from employers may be costing businesses an even more productive workforce.
Bequest is creating a digital revolution in the insurance industry with the sole purpose of simplifying wills and life insurance for the millennial market. Today Bequest announces its £1.7 million investment and the launch of
STEP, the professional association for practitioners who advise families across generations, today celebrates 30 years of being at the forefront of change in the inheritance planning industry by setting high standards and promoting education for
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today outlined Step 4 of England’s continued efforts to lift Covid-19 restrictions. The 5 point plan outlined the steps the government would take from the 19th July should the data
To enhance consumer protection in the funeral plans market, the FCA as confirmed the rules funeral plan providers will have to follow when they come under regulation from 29 July 2022. The new rules will
Consumer shopping for legal services has undergone a sea change over the last year as people young and old have taken to their devices to research and buy everything from home gym equipment to probate