There is an end in sight over probate delays as this month’s HMCTS meeting confirmed record high numbers of grants being issued.
Ian Bond, Chair of The Law Society’s ‘Wills and Equity Committee’ met with HMCTS and representatives from Solicitors for the Elderly and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners at the new central courts service building in Birmingham (CTCS). The meeting proved fruitful and they saw first–hand the new systems and processes in action.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the probate service was returning to normal levels as the backlog in probate delays is decreasing with the number of approved grants for probate applications returning to average levels in the last three months.
From the meeting HMCTS confirmed they had experienced record weeks in terms of numbers of grants being issued. Their best week saw almost 7,000 grants being issued which is over 2,000 more a week being issued than being received.
The new IT systems which have been implemented are processing new applications within three days of receipt.
HMCTS are also not prioritising any type of application over another as all requests sent in are being processed in order of receipt, except where stops exist. HMCTS have processed most of the applications before September 1st. Any outstanding applications will be by reason of a stop. Those applications which have been stopped by HMCTS will be contacted to try and resolve matters.
Where an application is to be stopped HMCTS will notify the applicant by email, instead of a letter, and will be willing to engage with email exchanges to resolve stopped applications quickly and efficiently. Any applicant should ensure that they let HMCTS have their email address to resolve stops.
HMCTS launched the online service for all professional from 1st October. HMCTS are encouraging users to use the online service rather than paper applications for professionals. Currently, not all types of application can be made online but those will available in the future and are being dealt with.
In terms of paper applications, new forms are being worked on with input from The Law Society and HMCTS are aiming to release these in the new year.
All legal practitioners must use the 0300 303 0648 number for all enquires instead of calling the registry that their application was sent to if they require updates. Furthermore, professionals should use ‘probatefeedback@justice.gov.uk‘ email account for queries, instead of individual registry email addresses.
When ringing the call centre, they will be able to confirm if the application has been received, where it is being dealt with, and the current level of service in that registry.
They can also confirm whether a ‘stop’ is in place or not. If not, callers will be told when they will expect the grant to be issued. Or, if the application has been stopped the call centre will confirm it has been stopped and hand over to the registry, who will contact them directly. They will not be able to advise on what the ‘stop’ is but that one exists, and they will get the registry to contact the practitioner in question. As it is a new system there may well be a few teething issues until all staff are up to speed with the new system and processes.
In addition, HMCTS hopes to have the staffing resources to open the Birmingham CTCS office on Saturdays from 8am-8pm shortly.
The next meeting with HMCTS will be at the end of November where it is expected to see a probate service back to ‘normal’ levels with professional applications – meaning all applications should be turned around within 10 working days.
Are you seeing a reduction in probate delays? What has been your experience?
