The latest Anti-Money Laundering (AML) annual report from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been released, detailing the regulator’s stance and approach to AML regulation for law firms. In it, the SRA warns that Read More
The Professional Standards Board (PSB), the committee set up to provide oversight and governance for The Society of Will Writers, has strengthened its remit in an effort to beef up consumer protection, consumer confidence and Read More
The Law Society of England and Wales is joining forces with media and other legal sector bodies to tackle the rise of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) which stifle freedom of the press to Read More
A review of the lifetime mortgages market has revealed that “misleading promotions” and “poor advice” is contributing to unfair and potentially damaging outcomes for consumers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has laid bare its expectations Read More
Latest News
Organisations
Regulation
Wills & Probate
New membership body for estate practitioners launched
Thursday 6th October saw the formal launch of a new membership body for estate planning practitioners. Delayed since the Summer due to train strikes and the August holiday exodus, the launch event for the recently Read More
In this latest podcast Today’s Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by RICS Surveyor Bill Wilkinson to discuss property valuations and imparts his expertise on how important professional “red book” valuations Read More
Opinion
Regulation
Technology
Technical Corner: digital assets, personal property law and “data objects”
Technical Corner, 5th August 2022 – Emily Deane TEP, STEP Technical Counsel & Head of Government Affairs The Law Commission of England and Wales published a new consultation paper on 28th July. It seeks views from legal Read More
Joe Cobb, Partner and Head of Department in Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning at JMW Solicitors, offers his view on the challenges faced by the digital probate system, and how it could be improved moving Read More
In this latest episode of The Today’s Wills and Probate podcast host David Opie is joined by Director General of the Society of Will Writers Anthony Belcher. Recorded just before the latest announcement by Read More
Latest News
Organisations
Regulation
Wills & Probate Market
FCA confirms provisional list of regulated funeral plan providers
Ahead of the deadline for regulation of the funeral planning market on 29th July, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have released a provisional list of approved providers it intends to authorise. As of Friday 17th Read More
Solicitors involved in pre-paid funeral plan work – and the wider public – are being asked for their views to help shape the approach of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in dealing with new rules in this Read More
Latest News
Regulation
Wills & Probate
Safe Hands Plans: administrators warn customers will not be repaid
Administrators acting for the failed funeral plans provider Safe Hands Plans has revealed that it is not in a position to repay the £64m it needs to customers. FRP, the administrator acting for the Wakefield-based Read More
Dr Ritesh Chugh of Central Queensland University, Australia, says you should “prominently engage in planning for your digital legacy”. A digital legacy may sound like a term used only by those of the technological avant-garde, Read More
The government is consulting on the proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Code of Practice, which includes guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. The consultation is also seeking views on Read More
Third party IT service providers could be required to follow new cyber security rules such as the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework as part of new proposals to help businesses manage the Read More
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation to review third party access to funds belonging to those who lack mental capacity without the need to get permission from the Court of Protections. The consultation Read More
Regulation
Technology
Wills & Probate
Wills & Probate Market
Video Will Witnessing: What happens next?
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a survey to inform its response to future consultations on extending the witnessing of wills via video beyond the end of January 2022. In July 2020 the Ministry Read More
Organisations
Regulation
Wills & Probate
HMRC announces update to return of estate information process (IHT205)
Due to measures put in place to help stop the spread of Covid-19 HMRC has changed the way they deal with Inheritance Tax returns. If a person died on or after 6 April 2011 and the estate Read More
Changes to the law due to come into effect in January are set to transport the world of wills and probate back in time to 1837. No, not 1987; all the way back to 1837. Let me explain. Read More
The Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce has backed the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) 2021-2022 business plan and budget, and reiterated the joint key priorities for the Law Society which include anti-money laundering (AML), Read More
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