Despite the UK adjusting to the ‘new normal’ whilst it fights the coronavirus, private client departments are also working hard to adapt to new systems after HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) launched new standard grant of representation application forms.
The new forms have been in circulation since March 23 and will make older iterations using statements of truth obsolete following a four-week introduction period.
The new forms have been designed to digitise information from the outset of the process so that it can be instantly inserted into the systems. It is hoped that the new forms and digital processes will reduce the numbers of errors and speed up the probate process.
The three redesigned forms replacing the old statement of truth include the PA1A (applying for grant of letters of administration), PA1P (applying for a grant of probate), PA8A (applying for a caveat).
The four week introductory period which commenced on March 23 will run until April 20. After this point, any forms including the old statement of truth ‘will be returned with a request for the appropriate new form.’
Whilst the sector adjusts to new remote working approaches, it will become important to also consider these new forms when making grant of representation applications in order to avoid requisitions and delays to the probate process.
The new forms can be bulk scanned remotely which enables HMCTS to work a lot more effectively in a remote environment. This is a lot more complicated with statements of truth which come in myriad styles and fonts making them a lot more cumbersome to process.
The Law Society of England and Wales and HMCTS are looking for feedback on the new forms. Legal professionals should contact probatefeedback@justice.gov.uk if they wish to comment on the forms and the new way of working.
Are you already using the new application forms? Have they improved the process of applying for grants of representation?
