Toni is the Media Officer for Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer.
I worked for a law firm for 16 years, during my time at the firm I worked as a company commercial legal secretary for 7 years but changed careers and moved into marketing for the remaining 9 years – where I covered all aspects of marketing.
While in the marketing role, I achieved a CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing and CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing.
Yesterday professionals across the sector joined together virtually to discuss innovation in probate services and placing the client at the heart of the estate practice. The roundtable was opened and hosted by Today’s Wills and
Last month the Law Society stressed the importance of including ‘digital assets’ in Wills after research reveals that three quarters of people do not know what happens to their online presence after they die. Today’s
HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 22 February 2021. -Updated: Further to the Prime Minister’s announcement of the roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions (Monday 22 February 2021) – courts and
Fourteen more ‘Nightingale courts’ and a ‘Supercourt’ have been unveiled which forms part of a £113m investment to alleviate pressures on courts and tribunals and deliver speedier justice. Further temporary court rooms are to be
The pandemic and stamp duty holiday has created huge waves in the probate sector with a serious backlog of properties to be sold as part of the estate administration process. There is no getting away
Bereaved people are facing severe delays and administrative errors while trying to close their loved ones’ financial accounts, according to recent research. This week, Which? released their findings that found that the pandemic has put
It was a historic turning point for UK Pensions as Bill receives Royal Assent recently. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) called it ‘The biggest shake-up of UK pensions for decades….’ when confirming the Pension
Probate professionals across the country are echoing their frustrations through social media in regards to the online probate service recently. Jade Gani, solicitor and head of private client at Aston Bond criticised HM Courts &
The Bereavement Standard campaign is gathering momentum as campaigners complain at the lack of cross-department cohesion over bereavement issues facing thousands of families. An MP has called for greater leadership and cohesion across government to
Jade Gani, solicitor and head of wills, trusts and probate at Aston Bond law firm talks to Today’s Wills and Probate about an exciting new will-writing scheme project she has been working on that has
The first Women in Wills group meeting on 28th January was a welcome distraction from day-to-day life and duties. The group joined to share their experiences of enquiries to date and their personal high and
The Law Society has warned that proposed changes to the mental health system must be properly funded to be effective. Following publication of the Mental Health Act White Paper in January 2021, the regulator has
The coronavirus pandemic has caused bar pupillage numbers to dramatically drop by a quarter in 2020. The regulator has warned that chambers may cut back recruitment in future months. There were 354 pupils in December
HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) have provided processes for dealing with coronavirus cases which impact our courts and tribunals. It includes how information about incidents can be shared with staff, judiciary and professional court
Professionals across the industry have voiced their views and experiences when using the online Probate Service since the mandatory roll out of online applications. On 1st October 2020, under legislation laid in Parliament, probate professionals
Inheritance tax (IHT) is not protected from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a tax and wealth specialist. According to latest HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures published, IHT receipts hit a five-year
A story which highlights the importance of recording digital assets sees a man mistakenly throw away his hard drive in 2013 with Bitcoin now worth more than £210 million. In a bid to recover the
The Pension Schemes Bill has been passed in the House of Lords and will now be winging its way to the Queen for signed royal assent to become law. Pensions minister Guy Opperman says the
Today’s Wills and Probate caught up with the Probate Office to get an update on the progress made since the mandatory roll out of online applications at the start of November last year. Last month
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Annual Plan consultation 2021/22 puts vulnerable consumers at the heart of their future plans. As with everyone, the CMA has had a tough ride over the past 12 months
A brother was ordered by court to pay back £1.7m to his sister after a “rare” executor dispute was refused permission to appeal by the courts. The law firm representing the sister, Kirsty Cadogan, secured
In an interview with Today’s Wills and Probate, Stuart Simpson, Head of Equiniti Benefactor at an international technology-led services and payments specialist company, EQ (known as Equiniti), talks about a Death Notification Service (DNS) and
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has exposed a colossal amount of sensitive public data over a period of 12 months, according to data found in MoJ’s annual report for 2019/20. Hundreds of thousands of sensitive
The Law Society have been stressing the importance of including ‘digital assets’ in Wills by urging people to include emails and photos when dealing with their affairs, after research reveals that three quarters of people
The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) provides an up to date guidance for all Deputies and Attorneys to continue to act in the best interests of the client or donor during the outbreak. As the
The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) have responded with updates to the coronavirus outbreak following Lockdown 3. The OPG has provided guidance in response to the outbreak and following the latest lockdown which will be
We have certainly had a turbulent ride in 2020 with the pandemic causing unprecedented chaos and disruption and changing the legal landscape. Today’s Wills and Probate asked professionals and organisations in the industry their predictions
Up to date research into the UK Wills and Probate Consumer Research found clear consumer interest in virtual consultations, digital probate applications and online court proceedings. The IRN’s consumer report entitled ‘Wills & Probate Consumer
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the final report on its in-depth market investigation into funeral services, confirming its remedies for the sector. The CMA has today confirmed its provisional conclusions, issued in
A productive Probate Service User Group meeting took place recently where HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) took on board recent practitioners’ insights into the service. HMCTS joined The Law Society, STEP Society, Solicitors for
No-one could have predicted this year and how it has turned out and I am sure I speak for many that it is a year that we would be happy to see the back of.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme for an extra one month until the end of April next year. Rishi said the move would provide “certainty for millions of jobs and businesses”. The further