Legacy Management In The New World Of Social Isolation
In the last two weeks, all 600 of our members have transitioned from being mainly office based to working from home, many of them suddenly having to home school children (and partners!) as well. As you can imagine, it has been quite a hectic couple of weeks, and it is a testament to our members […]
Equity Release Council Update Legal Advice Requirements
Equity release providers are no longer expected to ensure customers receive face to face legal advice before taking out an equity release product. The Equity Release Council published the temporary modification to enable those in need of accessing equity release finance to do so without creating additional barriers and delays. The Council has stated that, […]
Ban On Care Home Visits Not Human Rights Violation
The Court of Protection recently handed down a judgement upholding restrictions and full refusal of family member visits to care homes during the Covid-19 emergency. The case of BP V Surrey County Council could provide guidance in other contentious deprivation of liberty cases during these extreme times. The emergency application was made on March 20 […]
SRA Relax Compliance Rules On Client Care Letters
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has indicated that law firms may forego the usual formality of sending a client care letter if this is hindering the ability to make valid emergency Wills. The advice could be the first indication that regulators are finding ways of relaxing laws and compliance rules regarding Wills which make it […]
NHS Staff Will Demand Increases: Sector Responds
Busy hospital wards and a shortage of personal protective equipment has prompted many medical practitioners to protect their final wishes by making a Will. Many medical staff feel anxious when working because of a perceived lack of protective equipment and this has led to aencdotal suggestions that more believe they may die as a result […]
Discussing Important Wills Act Changes In Uncertain Times
The coronavirus has put a huge strain on legal service professionals in recent weeks as anxious adults rush to make a Will. Many private client departments have seen Will enquiries increase by as much as 75 per cent on their usual demand. At the same time, social distancing restrictions have made executing a Will, under […]
Government Issue Advice For Safe Funerals
Public Health England and leading faith leaders have suggested that funerals should uphold social distancing guidance by severely limiting those able to attend. Funeral directors and faith leaders are set to restrict the number of mourners to the deceased’s household. The guidance has also suggested that death rituals or practices involving mourners coming into close […]
Coronavirus Causing 9% Drop In Legacy Income
Legacy income could fall by up to 9 per cent in 2020. Legacy Foresight has considered forecasts from Oxford Economics and research from Imperial College London, who have estimated that between 20,000 and 40,000 lives will be lost because of the coronavirus, to predict how charities could be affected. The research suggests that legacy income […]
One Month To Adapt To New Grant Of Representation Forms
Despite the UK adjusting to the ‘new normal’ whilst it fights the coronavirus, private client departments are also working hard to adapt to new systems after HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) launched new standard grant of representation application forms. The new forms have been in circulation since March 23 and will make older iterations […]
Emergency Legislation For Witnessing Wills And Fast Track LPA Registrations
There is no doubt that we are currently, and likely to remain, in unprecedented times. The legal sector, now more than ever, recognises the need for change and how technology is essential for firms to provide vital services to clients. With the Law Society in discussion with the Ministry of Justice to pass emergency legislation […]
How To Select The Right Probate Genealogy Firm
In France and Germany, probate research and the verification of intestate estates using professional firms is considered vital, on a par with the legal profession. Yet in the UK, we struggle to place probate genealogy firms fairly and squarely within the estate administration process. The industry is unregulated, which is not necessarily a problem and […]
Law In The Time Of Corona
Wisdom comes to us when it can no longer do any good – Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera Change has tended to be treated with a healthy dose of scepticism by law firms. For an industry built on risk avoidance this is no bad thing, but an overly conservative mindset also […]
Could Wills Be Validly Executed By E-Signature?
Could a will ever be validly executed by e-signature, and could this lead to more disputes? Rachael Williams, a solicitor in the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team at Irwin Mitchell In a world that is fast evolving, the process of making a will has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years, indeed the formalities […]
Online Will Service: More Important Than Ever
COVID-19 has instantly propelled many businesses into a remote working environment. For the Wills & Probate industry, face-to-face meetings with clients to organise their estate planning documents are on hold until further notice. Combine this with an understandable increase in demand for Wills (some practices seeing surges of 70% as the elderly, vulnerable and key […]
Certainty Expert Webinars Present Mark Baxter, Barrister, 5 Stone Buildings
We are pleased to be welcoming back Mark Baxter, Barrister at 5 Stone Buildings who will be presenting the next Certainty Expert Webinar on Wednesday 15th April 2020 at 12.00pm, titled “Recent Court of Protection Cases of Note”. There have been some notable Court of Protection cases over the last year or so, which could […]
Coping With Demand Whilst Complying With Advice
The sector is in an unprecedented position with Will making on the rise whilst the ability to use traditional methods no longer a viable option. Whilst rules in Scotland regarding the use of video conferencing facilities to witness a Will have been relaxed in recent days, private client departments in England and Wales are still […]
Drive Thru Wills Signings Ensuring Demand Is Met
The number of Will enquiries has reached record levels in recent weeks and until stringent legislation is relaxed independent will writers and private client solicitors are having to go to extraordinary lengths to service demand whilst adhering to governmental social distancing advice. Yesterday, we heard that some firms are dealing with up to more than […]
Ordinary Measures In Extraordinary Times
The unexpected has arrived at the doorstep of everyone in the country and across the world in the form of the coronavirus crisis. It is during such times which force us out of our comfort zone that we seek reassurance for ourselves, families and loved ones to ease the uncertainty Hillyer McKeown (HM) is responding […]
Cutting Costs And Coming Out Fighting
Cutting costs without cutting opportunity Businesses up and down the country are looking at the current situation and considering where they can most effectively cut costs. Given the reduction in demand for many products and services, there is clearly an opportunity to reduce overheads amongst the “doers.” Mid-tier management and admin functions are often hacked […]
Obtaining ID When Working Remotely
The legal sector is embracing a brave new world of providing legal services. We are no longer able to meet with clients face to face and are encountering difficulties in remaining regulatory compliant at a time when legal services are still in high demand. Working remotely throws up a number of hurdles which will need […]
