Going ‘native’ must never mean losing sight of the customer

Digital processes are very much in demand but need to be easy for a non-digitally native generation to use. It was the American writer and technologist Marc Prensky who first coined the term ‘digital native’ to describe an individual who grew up in the information age and is therefore naturally conversant with computers, mobile phones […]

How AI is Transforming Billing Models and Client Relationships in Law Firms

The legal industry is undergoing a huge shift, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While much of the focus has been on AI’s ability to enhance operational efficiency, its impact on billing practices and client relationships is equally transformative. In a sector long-dominated by traditional hourly billing, AI offers a path to new, outcome-based […]

Artificial intelligence to power newly launched fixed fee probate service

A Manchester-based legal start-up is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to ‘speed up and simplify’ the process of managing their probate estates.  My Probate Solicitors (MPS) has been co-founded by Tasnim Khalid, Paul Gotch, Nicola Walker, Jean Warde, Alvin Oliva and Ryan Lewis and plans to disrupt the fixed fee probate legal market. Chief Operating Officer […]

Global Microsoft outage follows CHAPS issues

Major news outlets are reporting an outage with Microsoft is affecting banks, trains, airlines, media and major infrastructure. Microsoft itself has said it is taking action to mitigate service issues, which it says started early Friday morning. The outage, which is not though to be malicious, is being reported to be related to two interconnected issues […]

How Estatesearch Supports JMW to Provide Excellent Client Care

JMW is an award-winning full-service law firm established over 45 years ago with offices in Manchester, Liverpool and London.  JMW’s team is renowned for expertise in achieving positive outcomes for our clients, both businesses and individuals. Lucy Cresswell, Solicitor, JMW explains: “Building client relationships and providing an excellent JMW experience is at the heart of […]

Enhancing Security Through Regular Software Updates

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is a paramount concern for law firms. The sensitive nature of legal work demands robust security measures to protect client information and maintain professional integrity. One of the most effective ways to enhance security is by ensuring your legal practice management software is kept up-to-date. Guard Against Emerging Threats Hackers […]

Legal Software Suppliers Association expands membership

The Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) has expanded its membership and welcomes London-based LawNeeds into its growing group of legal technology providers. LawNeeds describes itself as helping provide legal services ‘on the go’ with a mobile app providing ‘personalised and affordable legal services’ to users. The app, which was founded in 2024 by Steve Okolo, […]

The challenge of pension valuations in probate

Some aspects of managing a deceased estate are easier than others, especially when it comes to valuing assets. Putting a value to a property, for example, may appear easy on paper, but finding two surveyors who agree on anything is similar to the old joke about economists: if you have 10 economists in a room, […]

Regional roadshows to showcase Lawtech innovation

A series of regional roadshows are coming later this month to showcase new technology in legal services. Starting in Swansea on 20th May, the events will move around country to Southampton, Oxford, Cambridge, Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds; finishing in Newcastle on Thursday 23rd May.  The series has been launched by LawtechUK, which is delivered by legaltech […]

Optimising Financial Operations: Strategies for Large Firms

The dynamic nature of the legal industry presents enterprise law firms with distinct challenges in managing their financial operations effectively. From complex billing structures to stringent regulatory requirements, navigating the intricacies of financial management requires strategic foresight and innovative solutions. In this blog post, we’ll explore key strategies that large law firms can implement to […]

Dedicated auction platform for probate property launches

A dedicated probate auction platform has been launched exclusively for probate property, serving executors, administrators, solicitors and family of the deceased.  Probate.Auction is described by its founders as the first countrywide auction platform for probate property. It hopes to deliver speed, transparency and certainty for probate properties, reducing the average time to sell from 140 […]

Understanding the true cost of dying

There was some interesting research recently that sought to define the true cost of dying. An annual report from the insurance provider SunLife suggested that costs had reached a record high: funeral costs have risen by 4.7% while the overall ‘cost of dying’ has reached more than £9,500. It’s an alarming figure by any measure. […]

Australian practice management system launches in UK

An Australian practice management system has formally launched in the UK at this year’s Legalex Conference. Smokeball is a cloud practice management platform first launched in Australia in 2008 and since then has expanded in to the USA in 2012. It says it now serves 15,000 clients across various practice areas with the ambition to […]

LPA reform receives Royal Assent

Reforms designed to transition the process of creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) from a largely paper-based process to a digital one are to be enacted. The Powers of Attorney Act passed its third reading in the House of Lords last week and has today (19th September) received Royal Assent. The updates are in response […]

Tech platforms failing consumers on legacy settings

Research into the legacy provisions of leading tech organisations has revealed that more work must be done to support users, and loved ones of those who die or become incapacitated. Ten major providers have been assessed and scored on a newly released Digital Legacy Scorecard which rates the platform on the extent to which the […]

How Will writing software helps you mitigate risk

Will writing software is designed to support the estate planning professional in drafting documentation. It cuts out admin, precedent research, data re-keying and more. Lightening the administrative load. But importantly, it also helps protect the drafter and their reputation. Contentious probate claims are on the rise, almost doubling in recent years. The supportive, in-built features […]

Only 48% of Estate Planning Professionals Received a Low-Risk Exposure Score

arken legal graphic

Our Risk Exposure Quiz has produced some interesting results so far. The market is changing, contentious probate claims and cyber-attacks are on the rise. So, amid the challenges, we decided to run a short quiz that quickly calculates your businesses exposure to risks in the following areas:  Precedents   Processes   Data and Records   Staff   Digital Solutions  […]