Warnings Of Significant Harm To Consumers
A Freedom of Information (FOI) requested by Buck, has discovered that almost 2,000 pension advisers have given “potentially unsuitable advice on pensions transfers necessitating further enquiry”. The information follows reports last week that found financial advisers were ‘causing significant harm to consumers’ financial well-being’. Of the number of IFAs who advised clients on defined benefit […]
Protecting Vulnerable People In The Digital Age
With the UK being on the cusp of a social care crisis, drastic measures were needed to avoid the much-needed system reaching catastrophic levels of service to those vulnerable people in society who need it most. Subsequently, a House of Lords select committee has urged the Government to immediately increase spending on social care by […]
Millennials Choose Robots Over In-person Financial Advice
The younger generation are deemed to prefer ‘robo-advice’ rather than in-person when seeking financial planning and investment guidance, according to research conducted by a Southern law firm. Research reveals that young affluent millennials are far more comfortable to receive advice and information from robo-advisers than financial advisers. Law firm, Michelmores, surveyed the millennials who had […]
Preparing For Death
Death is never a pleasant experience and can come as a shock at any time of life. Yesterday, (Monday 27th January) the sports world was in mourning as 41-year-old Kobe Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people sadly lost their lives when their helicopter crashed in California. The Office […]
FCA Fined For Insufficient Details
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) have fined the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the maximum amount of £2,000 for insufficient details in their 2018 Defined Contribution (DC) governance statement. The FCA had failed to comply with the chair’s statement, where the DC scheme trustees have to explain the actions they have taken to comply with certain obligations. […]
Man Starved To Death For Carers To Benefit From Will
A couple and their associates are on trial for fraud and murder after allegations they had starved a man, in their care, to death, and forged his will to benefit from his £3.5 million estate. Wayne Rickard and his wife Lynda are currently on trial at Reading Crown Court for the murder of their landlord […]
Today’s Wills And Probate – Kings Court Trust Webinar
Kings Court Trust are hosting a webinar about the 3 biggest challenges with the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to probate and estate administration. Nigel Merchant, Kings Court Trust’s experienced Technical Manager, will host an informative discussion regarding the challenges and answer the following questions: • What is probate? • When is it required? • Why can […]
APPG Urge Government To Reduce Inheritance Tax
A cross parliamentary group of MPs have urged the government to reduce inheritance tax from the current 40% to 10% for the majority of estates. Yesterday evening, a All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has encouraged the government to consider serious reforms to inheritance tax in order to reduce the burden for the increasing number of middle […]
Clare Fleming Joins Simpson Millar
Simpson Millar, has announced the appointment of new partner Clare Fleming, as part of the firm’s expansion of its Private Practice Area Team. Clare, who previously worked for London and South East based Kidd Rapinet, brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to Wills, Trusts and Probate as well as particular expertise in high net worth […]
UK’s Largest Legal Report Shines Light On Sector
Two thirds (64%) of UK adults have faced a legal issues over the past four years with over half (53%) of issues considered contentious. According to a joint report commissioned by The Law Society and The Legal Services Board, the main reasons people sought legal advice between 2016 and the end of 2019 were defective […]
Terry Jones Donates Brain To Science
On Tuesday 1st January 2020, the news broke that Terry Jones, one of the stars of Monty Python had lost his battle with a rare form of dementia and passed away aged 77. It has now been revealed, that the star has donated his brain to science. With his family saying it was added to […]
Cyber Essentials – What’s Changing?
Webinar: Cyber Essentials vs Cyber Essentials PLUS Date: Tuesday 4th February 2020 Time: 10am __________________ From April 2020 the IASME Consortium will take over the full responsibility for Cyber Essentials delivery. Why is this relevant to you? The legal sector is under attack. In the first 6 months of 2019, law firms reported a loss of £731,250 of […]
Solicitors Regulation Authority – Recent Round Table Discussion.
An overview by Martin Langan… The SRA held a group discussion on 16th January 2020 to consider the Regulator’s priorities over the next few years, alongside their corporate strategy. Along with a sharp focus on high professional standards, they are looking at doing more to work with others to address complex, cross-sector problems of consumer […]
LSB Launch Legal Professional Competency Consultation
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has launched a call for evidence to examine how regulators should ensure the law firms and the legal service providers they regulate remain competent and up to date with changes to the legal sector. The LSB is looking for respondents to consider four main themes when making their comments. Firstly, […]
Council Fails To Meet Dementia Patient’s Social Care Needs
A Council has been found to be in breach of the Care Act after failing to meet the care needs of a woman who had advanced dementia. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that Havering Council failed to allocate appropriate care which led to the woman having to cover the shortfall with her […]
Proposed Extension Of Inheritance Tax Exemption To Siblings
The first reading of a bill to make transfers of wealth between siblings exempt from inheritance tax in certain circumstances, took place on 14 January 2020. The bill proposes to amend the Inheritance Tax Act 1984, so as to exempt from inheritance tax any transfers of property (which could be cash or other assets such […]
2 In 5 Leave In-Memory Legacies
The important link between in-memory and legacy giving has been highlighted in new research with in-memory connections three times more likely to pledge a legacy to the charity than regular donors giving via a direct debit. Furthermore, legacy donations made in-memory of a loved one were twice as likely to result in legacy prospects. A […]
Catch An Early Bird Offer For The IPW’s & ISPW’s 2020 Annual Conference
An early bird special booking opportunity for The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) and the Institute of Scottish Professional Willwriters (ISPW) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the Willwriting Academy National Conference 2020 is now open. Taking place on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March 2020 at Drayton Manor Hotel & Conference Centre in Tamworth, the […]
Join Women in Wills Event And Foster Lasting Relationships
Following the success of its previous events in 2019, Women in Wills is delighted to be visiting the South West by hosting its first 2020 event next month. Hosted by Solve Legal Marketing, the Women in Wills event takes place on Thursday 6th February at the Hotel Du Vin in Exeter, commencing at 12.00 and […]
Ministry Of Justice Announces £2M Funding In ‘Lawtech’!
The legal services profession is currently at a crossroads… …with both qualified and non-qualified providers at loggerheads. Solicitors are being tempted by the lucrative chunk of private client legal practice that is not reserved to qualified lawyers, creating an atmosphere of competition for those aiming to prove their expertise within the field to the plethora […]
