The data published shows that the average wait times in December 2024 is just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduce the backlog of cases which built up because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Around 80% of grant applications are now completed online, with digital applications taking on average just over two weeks to complete – improving support for those who need it and easing the burden on people who are navigating what is often a challenging time. For those who complete the application online and submit their documents without any issues probate is granted in less than a week on average. Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said:
“We know that handling probate can be tough for families at a difficult period in their lives. That is why so we’ve worked hard to reduce delays and make the process easier.
By cutting wait times and going digital, we’re ensuring people receive the support they need quickly at what can be a challenging time.
We’re getting public services back on their feet again as part of this Government’s Plan for Change.”
The change comes after action was taken to recruit extra staff who have been trained to handle applications quickly and ensure fair and efficient processing, preventing delays.
In 2024, the average number of monthly grants issued was 27,400, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the number of outstanding cases is at its lowest point since early 2023 when data was first published.
The probate system has achieved a remarkable turnaround, reducing its backlog by over 50,000 cases since August 2023 and ensuring faster estate settlements for families.
Charities also benefit from a more efficient probate system because they now have quicker access to funds which have been entrusted to them – easing financial pressure on the third sector.
Even paper applications, which historically take longer to process than the digital system, have seen significant improvements in timeliness with waiting times reducing from just over 22 weeks to under 15 weeks. James Stebbings, Chair of the Institute of Legacy Management, said:
“We are delighted to see that HMCTS have reduced probate application processing times to where they were 5 years ago.
Each year the public leave charities £4bn of gifts in their wills and the relief in the charity sector that this income is flowing again is huge.
On behalf of the charity sector and all who benefit from it we would like to say a huge thank you.”
Alex McDowell, Vice Chair of Remember A Charity and Director of Fundraising at the Duke of Edinburgh Award, said:
“With more and more people across the UK choosing to support good causes through their Wills each year, an efficient and effective probate service is vital for sustaining charitable services and charities’ financial planning.
It ensures charitable gifts in wills can be put to good use swiftly, in line with supporters’ wishes.
We are hugely grateful to HMCTS for the improvements they have made and their ongoing engagement with the charity sector.”
Suzanne Mynors, private client partner at law firm Russell-Cooke, said that the HMCTS statistics somewhat “smack of rose-tinted spectacles”. She continued:
“There are fundamental issues with, and ongoing delays in, the probate system which are apparent to anyone working in the sector or who scratches below the surface. HMCTS has published data suggesting that processing times for the issue of Grants has improved, but there are still cases which have been outstanding for over a year.
It is the complex applications which must still be made on paper and sent in hard copy to the Probate Registry in Newcastle to be processed. They take double, if not triple, the length of time to be issued, in comparison with the digital applications. By their very nature, the complex cases are often more heart breaking as the deceased may have died suddenly, often without a Will, or perhaps there is already turmoil in the family which is compounded by grief, or there are cross border elements, which require a paper application to be made.
The delay in the issue of the Grant adds insult to injury almost literally, as those most in need of resolution of complicated situations are forced to wait the longest.”
