The state of the probate market – have your say
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which also regulates some probate providers, is conducting a survey on the state of the probate market. In the latest Family Court Statistics Quarterly covering January to March 2025 published last week the registry revealed it has more than halved the time it was taking to issue a grant after […]
The legal workspace is evolving – Here’s what you need to know
The legal and estate planning profession is undergoing a digital transformation. Hybrid working is the norm, AI is making its mark and professionals are navigating new expectations from clients, colleagues and employers. At Arken, we wanted to get to the heart of what this transformation really means for the people experiencing it. So, we asked […]
Probate grants turned around on average in 5 weeks say Probate Registry
The Probate Registry is currently taking an average of five week to issue a grant after the application has been submitted; around twice as quick as the same period a year ago. During January to March 2025 probate grants took around half them time they did in the same period in 2024, when the average […]
LSB survey finds higher prices, but availability of remote services offers greater choice
New research from the Legal Services Board (LSB) reveals the price of legal services is rising, but the transparency of the prices offered is improving and consumers are benefitting from more services being made available remotely. The Prices of Individual Legal Services in England and Wales looks at five commonly used legal services: conveyancing, divorce, power […]
Acquisition of WSL sees Octopus lay claim to second spot in estate planning sector
Octopus Legacy claim to have become the second largest estate planning firm in the UK in less than three years following the acquisition of WSL Will Writing. Founded by Sam Grice, Octopus Legacy started out life as Guardian Angel, set up following the unexpected passing of his Mum. Guardian Angel was acquired by Octopus Group, […]
What does the UK probate market look like in 2025?
After 35 years in financial & legal services, with the last 15 years focussing on estate administration, I’ve witnessed the UK probate market evolve from a cottage industry dominated by high street solicitors to a £2.8 billion sector grappling with profound change. As we stand at the intersection of tradition and technology, it’s time we […]
Dispensing powers, electronic wills and undue influence amongst key recommendations in Law Commission’s modernising Wills Report
The Law Commission has published its much-anticipated report into the modernisation of Wills law and testamentary freedom in which it outlines reform recommendations including the enablement of electronic wills; the abolition of the law that revokes a Will upon marriage; and the updating of the test for testamentary capacity to recognise the modern test in […]
Law Society ‘slams’ SRA proposals to remove client accounts
The Law Society of England and Wales has warned against the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) proposal to move away from client accounts to third-party managed accounts. This forms part of the Law Society’s response to the SRA’s consultation on client money in legal services, which was launched following the collapse of the firm of Axiom […]
Consultant fee sharing models now employ 4,000 lawyers – Report
Consultant or platform law firms continue to grow with 4000 lawyers reported to be operating under the fee sharing model in England and Wales according to the latest insight. Despite it remaining a small fraction of the overall legal market; the sector is growing and developing into new areas of law according to a new […]
“Unregulated” moniker unhelpful for consumers
The debate around the terminology used to describe unregulated will writers has been reignited by an article published on Today’s Wills and Probate in which a solicitor suggests consumers who have their will written by an unregulated will providers are “depriving themselves of quality legal advice.” The comments were made in an article on Today’s […]
Charities raise concern at probate inquiry
The charity community has provided evidence in Parliament of the impact of delays on charities and legacy gifting. Representatives from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Cancer Research UK and Devon Air Ambulance Trust shared insight into the impact of delays on charity services, forecasting ability and wider finances; as well as highlighting the huge personal […]
Consultant model growing ‘significantly faster’ than traditional firms
Consultant style, or ‘Platform’ law firms are growing at a ‘significantly faster’ rate than traditional competitors with Setfords and Taylor Rose MW leading the way amongst Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs). Property law continues to be the leading area of law practiced by consultant lawyers, with a small but growing proportion of family and private […]
Private equity investment for national will writing and probate firm
A national wills and probate practice has secured significant funding to enable it to pursue an “ambitious growth strategy… accelerating the organic growth plan through M&A.” Right Legal Group, which incorporates RightWill and Simpson Solicitors, has announced Vespa Capital LLP has invested in the business. The SRA regulated firm is led by CEO Carrie Caladine […]
Hugh James announces growth of private client team
Top 100 UK law firm, Hugh James, has expanded its Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates team with the appointment of senior associates Sarah O’Grady and Ryan Taylor based in Cardiff and London. Sarah and Ryan are part of a ten-strong team, now one of the largest teams specialising in Contested Wills, Trusts and Estates in […]
“Concierge” service launched by Property Solutions Group
A property “concierge” service designed for high net worth individuals and property is set to be launched by specialist property services company Property Solutions Group. Southey & Co will provide a “bespoke service for Private Client lawyers across London and the South East.” The firm is RICS regulated providing red book, HMRC compliant valuations as […]
Update Your Will Week 2023 highlights lack of parental planning
Seven out of ten parents across the UK have no legal guardian in place to care for their children in the event of their deaths, according to research commissioned by Solicitors for the Elderly (SfE). The research has been done ahead of “Update Your Will Week 2023,” which begins today and finishes on 29th January […]
Business Branding vs Personal Branding
Over the last few weeks, Legal Growth Founder – Tom Stansfield has been traveling up and down the country attending client meetings, hosting training for law firms, attending conferences and meeting prospective clients. Some of this has been documented on both the Legal Growth socials but also on Tom’s… Why? It’s all about business branding, […]
5 years of The British Wills and Probate Awards
The British Wills and Probate Awards celebrates its FIFTH year in 2022 at the aptly named Grand Hotel in Birmingham. Hosted as a hybrid event again on 20th October, with the in person ceremony simultaneously live-streamed via The British Wills and Probate Awards website, organisers Today’s Media have announced this year is a sell-out. Reflecting […]
#BWAPAwards2022 shortlist and Industry Champion vote
Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor Property Solutions Group and Networking Sponsor Exizent, are proud to bring you the 2022 British Wills and Probate Awards. The results are now in and all this week we have been profiling the firms shortlisted. The shortlist is produced in full below. Commenting on the shortlist Barry Mattock, […]
British Wills and Probate Awards 2022 – Shortlist Day 4
The fourth round of categories for the 2022 British Wills and Probate Awards are shortlisted today exclusively via Today’s Wills and Probate. Each day this week further categories have been announced, with the full list published in the Today’s Wills and Probate weekly newsletter on Friday. Following a record number of entries, #BWAPAwards2022 promises to […]
