Caution Urged On Compulsory Use Of Online Probate System

STEP and the Law Society of England and Wales have supported the mandatory use of the system, but have urged the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to air on the side of caution. The online service

National Paralegal Awards 2020 Ceremony Goes Virtual

The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) is counting down to the National Paralegal Awards taking place on Friday 18 September. The PPR normally welcomes over 270 guests at a venue in central London in March for

Crypto-Assets Could Be Brought Into FCA Reporting RulesvvV

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed that firms will need to make annual report of their financial crime suspicions, including suspicions involving crypto-assets. As it currently stands, only firms subject to FCA supervision

Hestia Open Domestic Abuse Hotline For Professionals

Domestic abuse charity Hestia, has opened an advice line for businesses supporting employees experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse incidents are said to have escalated as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

SFE Research Reveals Increase In End-Of-Life Planning

New research conducted by Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has revealed that there has been an increase in people planning for later life as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The current pandemic has heightened

The CMA Calls For Evidence As It Begins To Revisit Review

In 2016, the Competition Market Authority (CMA) carried out a review on the supply of legal services in England and Wales. After the review, the CMA outlined some recommendations and now it is taking some

Law Society Excellence Awards Shortlist Announced

The Law Society Excellence Awards shortlist has now been announced with the event being held virtually next month. The Law Society’s website states: “The Excellence Awards entries we have received in what has been a

IUA Write Open Letter To Legal Sector About PII

The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA), the trade body with the responsibility for underwriting professional indemnity insurance (PII) have written an open letter of the industry warning them about their PII renewals. In the

Feel Good Friday: Tiger Law

There have been lots of positive things happening across the sector this week, so we wanted to share these good vibes with you as part of our ‘Feel Good Friday’ news items. Here is a

What Are The Present & Future Impacts Of Covid-19?

Today’s Conveyancer, the sister publication of Today’s Wills and Probate, has partnered with employee engagement and performance management solution provider Weekly10 to investigate the present and future impacts of COVID-19 on the legal sector. We’re

Supporter in Focus : BWAPA

In a series of Supporters in Focus pieces, we are thrilled to introduce our supporters of The British Wills & Probate Awards 2020. This year the awards will recognise a sector which has tackled the

Legalisation Of Video Wills Is Almost Ready

At the start of the week a Statutory Instrument (SI), was laid in the House of Commons which will enable the legalisation of the video witnessing of wills to come into force temporarily on 28

Judge Ian Bond

An experienced lawyer who is a contributing author to a national handbook on probate has been appointed head of the Wills and Estates department at Thursfields Solicitors. Ian Bond has joined the leading Midlands law

Co-op Sees Legacy Gifting Surge 56% In 12 Months

This week marks Remember a Charity week, and to coincide with the week, Co-Op Legal Services has released its business data which has demonstrated that in the last 12 months legacy gifting to charities has

Shop Around For Legal Services Urge LSB

The Legal Services Board (LSB), recently published its Prices of Individual Consumer Legal Services in England and Wales 2020: Wave 3 of a survey of prices for commonly used legal services report, in which it

TPR Seeks £250,000 From Pension Fraud

Last week, Patrick McLarry from Devon went to court as The Pensions Regulator (TPR) sought a confiscation order from the charity trustee for £250,000. Previously Mr McLarry was handed a five year custodial sentence after

There has been lots of publicity and a social media movement in a bid to help Britney Spears appoint someone other than her father Jamie in the position of her Conservatorship, as she attempts to

The Law Society Issues Regulation Guidance On Blockchain Report

A report released by the Tech London Advocates’ (TLA) Blockchain Legal and Regulatory Group in conjunction with the Law Society of England and Wales provides lawyers with regulatory guidance around distributed ledger technology (DLT) and

Last week the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) issued their cyber crime thematic review, and reminded law firms that now more than ever was a time to remain cyber secure. The review focuses on 40 separate

Remember A Charity Week Launches

With law firms, financial advisers and charities reporting a surge in Will-writing enquiries during the pandemic1, Remember A Charity in your Will Week (7-13 September 2020) launches today, offering a campaign toolkit designed to help

Could Will Disputes Grow As Parents Split Wealth Unequally?

It is thought that Will disputes could potentially grow as parents begin to leave their wealth in unequal shares to their children. Research conducted by Charles Stanley revealed that only 55% of adults plan to

Feel Good Friday: Mitchell Roberton & Equity Release Council

There have been lots of positive things happening across the sector this week, so we wanted to share these good vibes with you as part of our ‘Feel Good Friday’ news items. Here is a

Today’s Training is hosting two exciting webinars for private client professionals over the next few weeks. Personal Injury Trusts Training On 30 September at 10am with Lynne Bradey, Partner at Wrigley’s Solicitors, discussing what private

An Update On The Digital LPA Progression

Last week, we brought you news that the first ever electronically signed Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) that has been registered by Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), was received by Seb Shakh, the WillSuite

Bereavement Standard Petition Gathers Momentum

The Bereavement Standard Petition has now over 75,000 supporters calling on the government to act quickly and back proposals for a new account closure standard, bringing to a halt to unnecessary stress for grieving families.

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The Law Society has created some practical guidance to help when solicitors advise clients on tax issues. The Law Society writes: “This practical guidance for solicitors aims to assist you and help you make decisions

Ian Bond Steps Down From As Chair Of Wills & Equity Committee

Bank Holiday Monday was the final day of Ian Bond TEP holding his position of Chair of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee. Marking his final day, Ian took to Twitter and wrote: “After

Smarter Working: How Do You Re-Mobilise Your Teams?

As lockdown restrictions ease, businesses will need to prepare for the reinstatement of effective and manageable working practices, where employees feel they can be effective, connected and motivated. In his second article for Today’s Wills

FAFT - Covid-19 Is Changing Criminal Behaviours

Are your private client team/will writing practitioners up to speed with the frauds that you might inadvertently get caught up in? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which describes itself as the global money laundering

Act Now On PII Renewal

The Law Society for England and Wales have sent out a rallying cry to the legal community, encouraging them to act now on their professional indemnity insurance (PII) renewal. Most firms still renew their PII

Today’s Training is hosting a live webinar on 30 September at 10am with Lynne Bradey, Partner at Wrigley’s Solicitors, discussing what private client practitioners need to know about Personal Injury Trusts. There will be different

What Are The Problems With Banks Releasing Estate Funds Without Checks?

Last week, we reported a problem with banks releasing – in some cases – vast amounts of money from a deceased’s estate, without conducting the proper checks. Karl Taylor, a Probate Executive at Parker Rhodes