CMA cites lack of pricing transparency in interim Legal services market study
The Competition and Markets Authority says that a lack of upfront pricing information is stopping consumers from comparing legal services. Publishing their interim report as part of a study looking at the supply of legal services, the CMA say just 17% of legal services providers publish prices online with just 22% of individual consumers 22% […]
Champion F1 driver launches new dementia charity
Sir Jackie Stewart has this week revealed that his wife Lady Helen Stewart is suffering from dementia. The world champion Formula One driver explained that his wife of 55 years now requires around the clock care. Lady Helen, 75, was diagnosed with dementia 2 years ago, but this is the first time the racing driver […]
Man digs mothers grave in back garden to save £5,300 funeral costs
A Hampshire man has elected to bury his mother’s grave in his back garden after being quoted £5,300 for the funeral. John Wright, 71, described the fees quoted by a local firm for a church burial as “enormous”. His mother, Lady Margaret Johnson died at the beginning of June at the age of 101, two years […]
Probate practicioner to face tribunal after transferring £40,000 of client money into own account
A probate practitioner is to face the Solicitor’s Disciplinary Tribunal on fifteen charges including breaking rules on client money, and transferring nearly £40,000 into his office account from clients despite a court stating he was only entitled to £7,922.46. Michael John Elsdon’s West Sussex based ABS firm, Sai-Donne Limited, was closed by the Solicitor’s Regulation […]
Legacies: working together to fulfil final wishes
Chris Millward, Chief Executive of the Institute of Legacy Management, highlights the need for positive working relationships between charity legacy teams and probate professionals.
Woman takes former civil partner’s sister to court in dispute over inheritance
A woman has taken her bid for a bigger slice of her former partner’s estate to the Court of Appeal after it emerged her fortune was worth £5.5 million four years after they separated with her fortune worth an apparent £750,000. Helen Roocroft and property developer Carol Ainscow had been in a relationship from 1991 […]
Solicitor found not liable for £1.5m claim over Trust investment losses
Three solicitors have been found not liable over a breach of trusts which saw the claimant seek £1,476,076. The claimants, the late children of chicken farmer Jack Raymond Daniel made the claim for breach of trust in connection with the investment of Trust funds (initially set up with funds from two property sales) in the […]
ABS firms often “more innovative” according to LSB report
Alternative Business Structure firms are more innovative than their more traditional colleagues according to a report on changes in the legal services market by he Legal Services Board. The report also states more consumers are handling legal matters alone rather than seeking advice with analysis putting this down to better technology enabling online probate applications. […]
Lifetime Mortgages overtake annuities for L&G
Legal and General have announced £4 billion worth of new business in retirement lending for the first half of the year as Lifetime Mortgages overtake individual annuities. The firm say the EU referendum hasn’t caused any blips in trade as far as they are concerned, with £250 million worth of new bulk annuity transactions executed […]
