The national spotlight has recently been cast on the persistent probate delays, garnering attention from major media outlets such as The Times. The story in The Times sheds light on Zoe Shipley’s distressing ordeal with
Former law firm CEO and author of “Ditch The Billable Hour” Shaun Jardine, from The Big Yellow Penguin, is holding the third online conference for proactive lawyers who want to learn how to ditch the
Coodes Solicitors has unveiled a bold new identity to “drive the firm’s growth ambitions and deepen relationships with clients”. The firm, established in 1747, has eight offices across Cornwall and Devon and is recognised as
The Government is reaffirming its commitment to all the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses, with the creation of a new Small Business Council due to launch next month which will bring together SME leaders from
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), has launched a review of its overall approach to protecting consumers in response to shifting risks in the sector. The review focuses on two main areas. Firstly, how to reduce
A solicitor, Alison Haley Griffiths, 55, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after confessing to committing two counts of fraud by abusing her position, as reported by The Law Society Gazette. Griffiths, who
The deadline for bereavement support payments is looming as parents who have lost a partner have until February 8th to make a backdated claim to the government for financial help. Previously, only married couples or
HMRC has released Pension Schemes Newsletter 155, offering insights into various updates, notably the elimination of the lifetime allowance (LTA) and details on the operation of the pension commencement excess lump sum (PCELS). The Finance
New and returning equity release customers in Q4 totalled 13,651, down from 17,078 in Q3 2023 and 20,597 in Q4 2022, according to the Equity Release Council’s report. Throughout 2023, 26,119 customers took out new
The Probate Professionals User Group meeting update took place this week and revealed that HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service ) have confirmed that they are aware of the concern raised by some probate professionals
Improvements to the probate service could mitigate the financial and emotional impact of delays on bereaved families, chartered accountancy body ICAEW has said. Responding to the Justice Committee inquiry into probate, ICAEW said that despite
A significant rise in asset prices coupled with an increased incidence of dementia has led to a notable uptick in inheritance disputes finding their way into courts across England and Wales, as reported by The
The Power of Support is an innovative new knowledge and community hub aimed at individuals who haven’t taken any legal advice when preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs”). Whilst the hub does not provide specific
Inheritance lawyers are cautioning that a substantial number of individuals are neglecting to address their digital assets when drafting a will. Melinda Rice, a senior associate at mfg Solicitors, has observed a growing trend of
The UK government has ambitious missions to address inflation and grow the economy and the legal services sector stands ready to play its part, solicitors’ leaders have said. The Law Society of England and Wales
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed its intention to undertake an independent review of regulatory events leading up to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) intervention into Axiom Ince. This was a significant case with
HM Revenue and Customs revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts for April to December 2023 were £5.7 billion, which is £0.4 billion higher than in the same period the previous year. The increase of 7.5%
SFE has made the move to become The Association of Lifetime Lawyers to futureproof the organisation and better reflect the broad range of clients that benefit from its members’ expertise. Since 1996 the membership organisation
Severe delays that currently see clients being advised that probate will take at least nine months, will not improve without adequate resources, says CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives). The waiting time for probate
STEP has responded to the House of Commons Justice Committee’s inquiry into the probate service in England and Wales amid concerns about delays. Many bereaved families are waiting more than 11 months for probate to
