The Legal Ombudsman has launched a consultation on proposals to reduce the timeframe in which clients can make complaints about solicitors. Currently complaints are permitted within six years of a mistake, or within three years

Consumer watchdog Which? has published a report highlighting significant flaws in the lasting power of attorney (LPA) system in the UK. The research reveals that the “creaking” system is in desperate need of improvement, citing

IDR Law, specialists in inheritance disputes, open registration for the IDR Network. IDR Law has announced the pre-launch of their IDR Network, a free resource that offers training, support, guides and tools for will writers,

An East Lothian based entrepreneur has appeared on the BBC venture-capitalist investment programme, Dragon’s Den, following the launch of her online digital vault that can hold important documents, account details, memories and post-life wishes. In

New research by abrdn reveals four in five (78%) retirees admit they have not sought any professional financial advice on their retirement plans. Despite almost half (48%) admitting they are worried about potentially running out

HMRC has published guidance on how to find the value stocks and shares of someone who has died for the purposes of calculating Inheritance Tax (IHT). The guide covers both listed and unlisted stocks and

The government has launched a second review and consultation into the state pension age. The consultation, launched this week, calls for evidence and information from experts in the fields of longevity and aging, older people

New research from the Resolution Foundation reveals that the value of inherited wealth handed down to younger generations is set to double over the next two decades. The report indicates that the offspring of “baby

A new report by NFU Mutual reveals that thousands could face higher IHT liability by cashing in large pension pots without seeking prior advice. Analysis showed that in the last year 15,296 pension pots worth

Seven new regional Ministry of Justice (MOJ) offices will be opened across England and Wales, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced, as the government continues to level up communities. The new Justice Collaboration Centres will

The Law Society Group has published its gender pay gap report for 2021. The report includes the combined results of the Law Society of England and Wales and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which operates

The Law Society of England and Wales has issued a response to the government’s Levelling Up whitepaper, which was unveiled by Michael Gove last week. “The government will struggle to achieve its levelling up mission

STEP has recently published a briefing note[1], advising professionals to carefully consider HMRC’s reliance statement[2], as the taxpayer could suffer adverse consequences if the guidance is later found to be inaccurate. The Institute for Fiscal

Over the course of the last two years the number of British adults with reduced mental capacity has increased dramatically, and there are now more than two million UK adults who could be identified as

The expert Industry Working Group on Electronic Execution of Documents has today published their interim report, which sets out analysis of the current situation in England and Wales, identifies simple best practice guidance based on

Guaranteed right to make partial repayments on new lifetime mortgages marks 30 years of consumer standards for the equity release sector. New equity release customers will be able to mitigate the costs of borrowing in

A solicitor responsible for the drafting of a client’s will in which provisions were made for a £100 million estate, has been criticised and dubbed as “reckless” and “dishonest” by Mr Justice Michael Green. In

Following announcements that digital ID checks are to be introduced from April, the Digital Identity Systems Certification (DISC) service has confirmed that “expressions of interest” in becoming certified under the Digital Identity Trust Framework and

Young people dealing with the death of a parent will be offered free assistance handling end-of-life admin involving personal and household accounts, thanks to a new partnership between Child Bereavement UK and nationwide bereavement service.

A private members’ Bill has been introduced to parliament by MP Ian Paisley, aiming to give the families of deceased or incapacitated people immediate access to their digital data, without the need for legal action.

Figures published by HMRC today reveal that that the amount paid in inheritance tax (IHT) last year totalled £5.9bn – a record high for any calendar year, with receipts for April 2021 to December 2021

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its first ever results for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – the SQE1. The results show that 53% of candidates passed but concerns have been raised over the

Record amounts of property wealth were accessed via equity release products in Q4 and across 2021 by more than 76,000 new and returning customers, according to the Equity Release Council. Figures show that the sector

Following a challenge by the Guardian newspaper over the decision to hear the application to seal Prince Philip’s will privately, the Court of Appeal is set to consider the privacy of royal wills going forward.

Reports of scam HMRC phone calls have fallen by 97% over the last 12 months, latest HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures show, which display a downward trend in reports overall throughout the past year.