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.
Chambers and Partners’ annual rankings show legal profession hits gender parity for up-and-coming lawyers for first time in rankings history. Chambers’ 2021 solicitor rankings show that newly ranked up-and-coming lawyers – those attaining partner level
A one-year review of Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) transparency reforms indicates encouraging trends as research found most consumers now believe that solicitors are not as expensive as they originally thought. The regulator surveyed 3,539 recent
The Office for Legal Complaints is pleased to announce the appointments of Paul McFadden as Chief Ombudsman and Sandra Strinati as Chief Operating Officer of the Legal Ombudsman. Elisabeth Davies, Chair of OLC, said: “Paul
Legacy Foresight has released its Legacy Market Briefing 2020 report to the sector, sharing insights about the shape of the sector today and some key long-term trends. Based on analysis gained from the Legacy Monitor
HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) have released three new online probate guidance service documents to assist legal professionals applying for grant applications. The step-by-step guides set out how to sign up for the service
Vincent’s Solicitors has created a brand new probate team to assist clients in the Lancashire area due to an increase in workload. The new team has over 50 years’ experience in probate work between them,
Today’s Wills and Probate wanted to mark and recognise World Mental Health tomorrow (10th October) to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and well-being in the private client sector and legal industry
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have issued eight separate email scam alerts impersonating law firms in a matter of days. All eight scams were reported on 5th, 6th and 7th October where emails had been
A proactive move by the Government has ensured State Pension increases, despite current legislation. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has introduced a technical Bill in the House of Commons which
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced the publication of it’s latest 2020-21 Business Plan which outlines their primary deliverables and key areas of work for the next 12 months. Prior to the publication of
After the recent Government announcement that from next month it will be compulsory for probate professionals to submit applications using the online probate system, professionals took to social media to air their thoughts. Jade Gani,
Legal mental health charity LawCare has announced a new ground-breaking research study ‘Life in the Law’ ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10th October. The charity has teamed up with leading academics in the
It has taken an unprecedented pandemic to radically shift the Wills sector to adopt digital technology to evidence the execution of testators’ last wishes. The Wills sector has always shied away from a digital world,
Under legislation laid in Parliament today, probate professionals will be forced to submit probate forms and applications online from next month. HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) and other professionals have been urging probate practitioners
Court of Protection hourly rates have been increased after a decade of no pay increases, after a judgement by Master Whalan was handed down yesterday. Following a Hearing back in May this year, professionals across
Property Development and Investment company revealed that there is currently an estimated £1.744bn worth of unclaimed property unoccupied across England and Wales. The property developers, StripeHomes have confirmed the up to date figures have shown
Coronovirus outbreak has brought about a new perspective on life for farmers and a wake up call when dealing with financial affairs to ensure their families are protected now and in the future if the
HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) and other professionals are urging firms to sign up and start using ‘MyHMCTS’ for probate applications. A case study ‘Probate online: Collaborating to tackle issues’ has been released by
The cream of the crop of the paralegal profession was celebrated at the annual National Paralegal Awards hosted live by the Professional Paralegal Register on last Friday 18th September. Now in its second year, the
An array of private client legal and non-legal professionals across the industry collectively joined to meet virtually this week to discuss how the pandemic has shaped the industry, and individual firms in our second Today’s
Pension scams have cost the UK Over £30 million since 2017 according to Regulators in the industry. According to complaints filed with Action Fraud, £30,857,329 has been reported lost to pension fraudsters in the last
The government has put in motion plans for an electronic verification system which would remove the need to provide original official documentation to prove identity. Following last year’s digital identity Call for Evidence, the Department
The Wills sector has always shied away from a digital world, but it has taken an unprecedented pandemic to radically shift the mindset into the 21st century. Many other documents, including deeds and discharges can
It’s been a turbulent year, notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic, as the legal industry has been forced to rapidly adapt in order to maintain business continuity, while also adhering and adjusting to new laws and legislation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have closed the doors on a large national firm for alleged wrongdoings. On 12th August, the SRA intervened into Kingly Solicitors Limited, trading as Giffen Couch & Archer due to
With the next Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) renewal date looming on the 1 October, here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we wanted to look at the current market conditions and renewal issues, so solicitors are
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) believes that all probate applications made by practitioners should be carried out online to streamline the process. With the increased use of solicitors opting to use the online route due
Evergrowing, national UK law firm has expanded its Court of Protection (COP) team with the recruitment of a new partner. Law firm, Shoosmiths has appointed Sue Bowler, who will be based in the firm’s Thames
A pension scheme transfer just prior to death causes controversy in the Court of Appeal in relation to Inheritance Tax. HMRC appealed on a case which looks at whether a deceased’s motive of transferring her
Ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, a leading chambers based in London will be closing its doors at the end October due to the impact of the pandemic on the justice system.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seriously impacted on the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) in depth investigation into the funerals sector, a move which was welcomed by the industry as a whole. The investigation originally sought
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