Month: August 2019

Expert Comments On Probate Backlogs And Online Applications

The various trials regarding HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) new online probate service for personal applicants throughout England and Wales last year have been very positive. Throughout the second half of 2018, HMCTS trialled the online system, that enables the bereaved to apply for a grant of probate, make the statement of truth online […]

Free webinar: What happens if your law firm falls victim to a cyber attack?

According to reports, businesses were attacked by cyber criminals on average every 50 seconds between April and June this year. After conducting our own research of 100 law firms, we discovered that 82% of those we spoke to, didn’t have the Government recommended Cyber Essentials Accreditation, leaving the door wide open for criminals to exploit. […]

Probate Fees Unsuccessful Saga

Overwhelming opposition, fast tracked Governmental methods, and an order with loopholes: it is safe to say the draft Non-Contentious Probate (Fees) Order 2018 has been a consistent talking point over the last eight months. Now, supposedly complete and ready for full implementation, the draft Non-Contentious Probate (Fees) Order 2018 has been wasting away on the […]

Pension Scam Reports Tumble By 75% Since 2015

Pension scam reports have decreased by 75% since 2015. According to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request made by AJ Bell, pension scam reports submitted to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) have tumbled from 1,353 in 2015 to 345 by the end of 2018. Financial losses are also on the decline, falling by 85% […]

Probate Delays Blamed For Fall In Charity Bequest Notifications

Legacy Foresight’s latest bulletin has revealed a reduction in charity bequest notifications due to probate delays and changes to the legacy notification system. Britain’s charity data analysts of the legacy and in-memory sectors found that there was a 7% fall in the number of bequest notifications to charities in the year to June 2019 compared […]

Are GDPR Fines High Enough To Ensure Firms Comply?

According to a Twitter poll conducted by Tripwire, the fines given to companies who have broken GDPR laws are still not high enough, despite being in the millions. The mutually agreed General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on May 25th 2018, and was designed to modernise laws that protect the personal information of […]

How Brexit Could Impact Estate Administration?

On the 24th July 2019, Boris Johnson officially started his new reign as Prime Minister, which now means he’ll be leading the UK out of the European Union (EU) on 31st October 2019. There is currently still plenty of uncertainty about how the country will leave the EU, so it got us thinking about how […]

Should Private Client Solicitors Be Doing More To Educate Clients About The Difference Between Independent And Restricted Financial Advisers?

The relationships between Private Client Solicitors and Financial Advisers are recognised as mutually beneficial. The clients of each profession often require the services of the other. It is therefore of no surprise to find that most Private Client Solicitors have at least one Financial Adviser that they have worked alongside for a significant proportion of […]

Call For Evidence The Government Want Your Views On Digital Identity

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMC) has launched a consultation on digital identity, and is seeking your views on how the Government can support the development and secure use of digital identities fit for the UK’s growing digital economy. The consultation states: “We welcome written responses to this call for evidence from […]

Lawyer Checker Invest Heavily In Management Team

A leading supplier of products and services in the legal sector has announced a major investment into its management team to support future growth. The Practical Vision Network, home of the award-winning Lawyer Checker suite of risk management tools has appointed Julie Williams and David Opie to its management team. Director of Operations Julie Williams […]

Financier And Accused Paedophile Updates Will Just Days Prior To Jail Cell Suicide

Jeffrey Epstein, financier and former teacher worth over £475 million, signed a final Will just two days before committing suicide in his New York jail cell. According to court papers filed in the Virgin Islands last week and reported by the Associated Press, Epstein’s fortune has been placed into a trust with no listed beneficiaries. […]

Title Research Launch Brand New Website

Genealogical research and asset repatriation specialists, Title Research, are pleased to announce the launch of their new website www.titleresearch.com. The updated website is clean, contemporary and a modern hub for professionals looking to solve their complex estate administration cases. What is available at www.titleresearch.com? Detailed information about their range of genealogical research and asset repatriation […]

HMCTS Confirms Closure Of First Probate Registry Office

HMCTS has confirmed the Birmingham District Probate Registry will be the first registry to close on 31st August due to probate being handled by their new Courts & Tribunals Service Centres (CTSCs). Probate work has been slowly moving away from the Birmingham Registry Office since March 2019 and all digital applications have been moved to […]

Do You Want To Grow Your Law Firm?

Are you a business owner or senior manager/partner in Wills and estate planning? Do you have the right processes and protection in place to grow your business and increase profitability? Taking place on the same day as the prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards at The Belfry Hotel and Resort, Today’s Wills and Probate are […]

Banbridge Solicitor Charged With Stealing £73,844

Paul Downey, 62,  a solicitor from Mount Royal in Banbridge has been charged at Banbridge Magistrates’ Court with stealing £73,844 from the deceased Catherine Hayes’ estate. As well as being charged with theft, Mr Downey was also charged with four counts of false accounting and nine counts of fraud by abusing his position between 26th […]

Financial Gain Churchwarden’s Motivation For Murder

Benjamin Field, 28, a Churchwarden in Maids Morton has been found guilty of murdering 69-year-old author Peter Farquhar. Field, is said to have tricked Mr Farquhar, into changing his will, before committing the murder and trying to cover it up, making it look like an accident or suicide. During the case, Field admitted duping Mr […]

Make Sure You Hit The Bulls Eye Every Time With Countrywide Legacy!

We understand how difficult training your staff can be, especially when information is misunderstood, due to a lack of knowledge and experience – which can have disastrous consequences! It is very easy for staff to make mistakes if they are unable to interpret training in the same way. With the current surge in Wills being […]

Judge Makes Decision On All Or Nothing Case

A High Court Judge has used the Commorientes Rule, and decided that Ann Scarle outlived her husband John after they both passed away at their home in Essex in October 2016. John Scarle aged 79 and his wife Ann aged 69 died of hypothermia in 2016. The last known sighting of Mr Scarle was on […]

Alexander Grace achieves the Legal Eye Quality Standard

Alexander Grace has achieved the Legal Eye Quality Standard in recognition of its proactive and robust approach to risk management. Lawyers at the Burnley-based firm are property specialists covering both residential and commercial property. The firm also offers advice to individuals around wills, probate and estate administration, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection issues. […]

Advising Expats On The Importance Of Making A Will

To quote Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind – “death, taxes, and childbirth, there’s never a convenient time for any of them”. When it comes to the Grim Reaper, if he comes for your client whilst they are living in a foreign country, he is not bothered about whether they have organised their affairs […]