1/3rd of firms introduced new technology in the last 12 months
A major independent study into innovation in the legal sector has revealed that while the majority of law firms are making increasing use of day-to-day technology, the development of bespoke legal technology is largely focussed on advances which will benefit larger corporate clients. The research carried out by the University of Oxford on behalf of […]
Improve information for consumers says LSB
The Legal Services Board has published a response to the submissions it received to its discussion paper on quality indicators. Published in February 2021, the paper prompted a wide-ranging debate over what quality means in the legal services market and how best to convey this to consumers. The response document concludes that there is still […]
23% increase in solicitors over the last 10 years
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its annual reports on its operational work during 2019/20. The reports cover areas such as its regulatory role, preventing money laundering, and enforcement. Key facts highlighted within these reports include: 23% increase in the number of solicitors who hold a practicing certificate in the last decade £10.4 million […]
Soaring house prices likely to affect inheritance
House prices have risen 8.9 percent in the last year, meaning that far more people are likely to be liable to pay inheritance tax in the future if they are left a property when someone dies, according to an article in This is Money. From April to May 2021, the article reports that inheritance receipts […]
OPG outline vision for reform of LPAs
Following the release of a consultation on the future of LPA’s the OPG has outlined their vision in a blog on their website. Calling for proactive engagement with the consultation from around the community, the OPG have said “Our ambition is to use technology to improve our LPA services, without compromising safety or limiting access […]
Reform needed in “confusing” social care system
The ninth edition of the Just Group Care Report titled Social Care – The Policy Vacuum reveals that although people are interested in the debate about social care they don’t actually know how the system works and are confused by government announcements on the subject. The report comes following an announcement in the Queen’s Speech […]
Opposing a Grant
Prior to a grant being extracted a dispute can arise about who should administer an estate including: a Will exists but fails to appoint an executor to administer the estate or the executor has renounced their executorship; there is no Will and the deceased has died intestate; there is a dispute about the validity of […]
Unique estate expense funding product launches
A unique new product to help executors and personal representatives who have expenses to pay as part of their duties but don’t have the funds readily available to pay upfront costs has been launched by an innovative Yorkshire based funder. Tower Street Finance has launched Estate Expense Funding as part of its range of funding […]
Accountants: The advantages of offering Probate
Following on from our first blog post, Accountants: Could you be offering probate? we continue with our series looking at the advantages offering probate can bring to accountancy firms. Provide your email address to sign-up and receive the final edition of our blog series, a helpful ‘How to Guide’ on setting up a probate department […]
Low Mileage Classics in latest Silverstone Auction
Silverstone Auctions next sale is just under two weeks away as part of The Classic at Silverstone. The catalogue brings a number of unrepeatable, low mileage examples with unrepeatable opportunities and the UK classic car auction market leaders are now encouraging people to register to bid prior to the sale weekend. Confirmed for the sale […]
Driving the value of content
Content marketing is one of the most valuable tools we have under our belts and content articles within the legal sector continue to be a great source of information and engagement when it comes to talking to prospects or existing clients. During the pandemic we have really seen a surge in thought leadership articles, in […]
Podcast discusses the rise in inheritance disputes
In the latest Topical Talks with Title Research podcast, Dicky Davies, Business Development Director at Tower Street Finance, joins Anthony Allsopp, Head of Business at Title Research, to discuss how blended families, co-habiting couples and DIY Wills could all be contributing to the rise in inheritance disputes. More specifically, the podcast explores: Why do inheritance […]
Government outlines changes to MyHMCTS online service
Officials from HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) have written to probate practitioners to outline changes to the MyHMCTS digital service. The changes, which aim to streamline and add functionality to MyHMCTS, are due to go live on 19 August. Included among them are the following: Trust Corporations will be able to apply for a […]
£320m funding for bereaved families announced
Draft plans brought forward have proposed that co-habiting couples with children could become eligible for bereavement support in the event of their spouse’s death. Department for Work and Pensions minister, Baroness Stedman-Scott will set out plans to extend bereavement support to cohabiting couples with children. Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payments will be extended […]
Lawyers Losing Out: the UK’s Hidden Estates
When individuals pass away, families and friends of the deceased will be grieving. Unfortunately, there are also a number of tasks that have to be carried out at this difficult time. These include planning the funeral, packing up the belongings and winding up the affairs of the deceased. Winding up financial affairs involves identifying and […]
Death of the funeral: more than half of UK adults want a non-traditional service when they die
A new study by will writer and funeral provider Farewill has found that over half (55%) of adults would now opt for an unconventional funeral service when they die. With secularism on the rise, over two fifths (41%) say they don’t want a traditional service because they aren’t religious, whilst 38% are concerned about the cost of […]
New guidance for courts post “Freedom Day”
The government has confirmed that the legal requirement for social distancing in England will be removed from Monday 19 July 2021, as well as the detail of which other aspects of step 4 on the roadmap will be adopted. In Wales, meanwhile, it is hoped most restrictions will be lifted on 7 August 2021. In […]
Free virtual seminar: ‘Getting technical: Processing complex shareholdings & handling high-value money transfers’
On Wednesday 28th July at 12pm, Title Research’s Business Development Manager, James Cameron, and Consultant Case Manager, Kate Sunderland, will discuss processing complex shareholdings and handling high-value money transfers in estate administration. More specifically, the session will cover: Tyco shares USA & Canada – Affidavit of Loss Federal Transfer Certificate application process High-value money transfers […]
Major reforms for LPA registration on their way
The government has launched a consultation examining the mainly paper-based process of creating and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney with a view to using technology reform the process of witnessing, improve access and speed up the service The consultation will propose widening the OPG’s legal powers to check identities and stop or delay any registrations […]
Access Legal research highlights hybrid working compliance gaps
Access Legal has released new research that is encouraging law firms to review gaps in their compliance, given over two thirds plan to switch to a permanent hybrid way of working once restrictions ease. The legal technology division of The Access Group surveyed a substantial number of law firms and found that 85 per cent […]
