Level, a UK-based and FCA regulated lender within the family and private client law sectors, is targeting growth in the probate lending sector with the acquisition of Tower Street Finance. Level has also secured new
The Equity Release Council (the Council) is reminding advisers of their responsibilities under the next phase of the FCA’s consumer duty, which comes into force on July 31st 2024. The ‘closed book’ phase of the
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has set out its pro-innovation approach to the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal services sector. Published yesterday, the update explains the oversight regulator’s overall approach to technology
Finders International have won the prestigious ‘Best Probate Research Firm’ category at the 2024 ‘Probies’ – or Probate Industry Awards. Now in its sixth year, the Probies were presented by broadcaster Kate Garraway who awarded
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has issued guidance to regulators, pushing them to be proactive in creating an environment that encourages lawyers and law firms to innovate to help better connect people to legal services.
Esther Rantzen implores Members of Parliament to participate in a parliamentary debate concerning assisted dying, prompted by a petition signed by over 200,000 individuals advocating for the right of terminally ill individuals to seek medical
38,178 charitable estates were found in wills in 2023, the highest number recorded since tracking sector data in 2012, according to Smee & Ford’s annual trends report. The 2023 figure is the highest number of
HM Revenue & Customs data has revealed that a record amount of £7.5billion in Inheritance Tax was paid to the Treasury in the 2023/24 tax year. Total receipts for April 2023 to March 2024 were
Exizent have announced the launch of its Bereavement Index for the fourth consecutive year. This index provides insights into the state of bereavement in the United Kingdom, highlighting areas where progress has been made and
New analysis of Freedom of Information (FoI) data obtained from the Ministry of Justice by Quilter has found that the number of probate cases taking over a year to be granted has risen by 65%
Make a Will Online has announced its victory in the “Best Strategic Will Provider” category at the Smee & Ford Legacy Giving Awards 2024. This prestigious accolade recognises Make a Will Online’s innovation in providing
A report warns that over half a million individuals with dementia could slip through the diagnostic net in the UK by 2040 unless significant changes are made to detection methods, as reported by The Telegraph
Public appetite for charitable gifts in wills is on the rise, with more than one in five charity donors (21%) aged 40+ saying they have included a gift in their will, up from 14% in
The waiting time for probate applications has slightly decreased in the number of weeks from submission to grant issue for all probate applications – decreasing from 13.8 to 13.7 weeks, according to HM Courts &
New research by the Law Society and the Legal Services Board reveals that two thirds of adults in England and Wales (66%), have experienced at least one legal issue in the last four years. The
Jo Summers TEP, partner in the private wealth & tax team at law firm Jurit LLP, has given oral evidence to the Justice Committee examining the impact of probate delays. The inquiry, launched in November
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced an independent review of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) regulatory actions in the lead-up to the collapse of SSB Group. The LSB will add this review to the
HMRC has published additional guidance for pension scheme administrators on a range of issues, including the abolition of the lifetime allowance. HMRC provides further guidance on the abolition of the lifetime allowance (LTA) in the
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, is set to announce Labour’s plan to close an inheritance tax loophole for non-domiciled individuals and target tax avoiders to fund investments in schools and the NHS, as reported by
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published plans for 2024/25 on how it will ensure regulation contributes fully to delivering legal services that better meet the needs of society. The business plan is focused on
