St Paul’s Cathedral has launched the Remember Me Project which includes a national book of remembrance to help celebrate and reflect on the lives of the people who have tragically lost their lives to Covid-19.
In a short commentary for Today’s Conveyancer, Simon McCrum, former Managing Partner of national firm Darbys Solicitors, discusses his experience of joining the business in 2007 just weeks before the Credit Crunch. That business in
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Although plans for the Gala Dinner, scheduled for 22nd October 2020, have been
Technology and internet enabled devices have helped the world remain connected whilst in lockdown. For many key workers providing Wills services, this has been a time of quick adaptation. Firms and businesses have needed to
The eight-week introductory period for the new standard grant of representation application forms will lapse from Monday May 18. Any probate application using outdated methods involving a ‘statement of truth’ will now face delays as
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates that the UK has suffered over 50,000 more excess deaths in the opening five months of 2020. Unfortunately, this means that more clients are likely to need
The Law Society of England and Wales is urging law firms to remain cautious when entering ‘unchartered waters’ as the lockdown restrictions are lifted and legal businesses are free to work form their offices. Simon
A New York based law firm, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, who are predominantly used by the world’s rich and famous, have suffered a substantial cyber attack. The cyber criminals claim to have access to
Data released yesterday has found that the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in care homes is falling for the first time since the first recorded virus death at the start of April. According to
The Government has just announced an extension of the furlough scheme to October with no changes before end of July. Details of changes after that will be provided by the end of May but are
Care worker deaths attributed to Covid-19 are statistically significantly higher than the average rates of coronavirus deaths involving working age adults. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) death data up to April 20, 2,494
With care home deaths related to Covid-19 continuing to rise despite hospital deaths falling in recent weeks, the government’s 50 page ‘recovery’ document details the further protections and procedures being put in place to detect
Following the Government’s plea for the Church of England to start officiating small funerals in their buildings again, the House of Bishops met via Zoom to discuss and agree a phased approach in reopening church
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Never has there been a more important time to recognise the commitment of
Government indications suggest that funeral restrictions should be eased further after a group of 36 MPs have urged the Church of England to allow more church sites to officiate small-scale funerals within the church building.
A number of high profile campaigners are calling for the government to allow oral Wills during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure all testamentary wishes are considered. Whilst many believe that the 1837 Wills Act and
The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have been working hard in recent weeks to consider short and long term ways of amending the 1837 Wills Act to reflect the constraints we now
Now that the world is social distancing, Wills and probate businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on the innovative technologies enabling the sector to continue working despite being unable to meet clients in person. Last year,
Sterling Trust Corporation are delighted to welcome Andrea Mapstone to their team, who has joined as their Legal Director. Andrea brings with her a vast amount of experience having worked in the Private Client Sector
Jersey is now permitting Solicitors and advocates to witness the signing of Wills via video link to help comply with social distancing regulations. The emergency legislation will operate temporarily until September 30 in the first
The solicitors Regulation Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are urging law firms and their employees to remain vigilant during lockdown as cyber criminals increasingly target remote workers. Given the lower levels of
The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have been working hard in recent weeks to consider short and long term ways of amending the 1837 Wills Act to reflect the constraints we now
New forecasts have indicated that legacy incomes are set to decline more significantly this year than originally predicted. In 2020, charities should prepare for legacy income to fall by between 8 per cent and 27
Co-op Legal Services announced their profits at the end of last week with a yearly growth of 165 per cent from £2.3 million pre tax profits in 2018’s financial year to £6.1 million last year.
Despite some firms struggling to renew their PII in March, experts are assuring the sector that there are deals to be done, but firms must prepare. The spread of Covid-19 in the UK coincided with
Despite economic uncertainty caused by Brexit and a winter election, £3.92 billion of property wealth was withdrawn using equity release products in 2019. According to the Equity Release Council’s ‘Spring 2020 Equity Release Market Report’,
Councils have been urged to introduce safe and innovative ways for bereaved families and friends to attend the funerals of the deceased whilst the UK is in lockdown. Local Government minister, Simon Clarke, wrote to
It has been estimated that the number of official deaths attributed to Covid-19 in care homes is significantly lower than the actual number of people to have lost their lives in care as a result
Community Involvement Award winners Fidler and Pepper have taken the time to discuss donations and good deeds during social distancing lockdown. The Wills and probate sector have been unbelievably supportive to communities struggling to adapt
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) process last week to ensure service continuity and minimal delays whilst the UK is in lockdown. Firstly, until restrictions are lifted HMRC will
Retirees could lose pension protections through the triple lock guarantee in order to help fund the support offered to the UK public during the lockdown. According to research from thinktank, Social Market Foundation (SMF), state
Pension payments are being deferred or delayed by hundreds of businesses in the UK because of Covid-19’s impact on the economy. According to research by Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP), more than 500 businesses will