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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The demand for Wills has increased by up to 75 per cent over the past two weeks. According to both deVere Group and recent commentary from Talbots Law, firms are finding increases in Will enquiries
Given the restrictions imposed on solicitors and Will writers whilst in a lock down situation, Scottish Law has been amended to allow video conference facilities to assist in witnessing a testator signing their Will. Social
The issues with disseminating grants of probate last year created an 11 per cent reduction in grants of representation being issued when compared with 2018. In total, 236,000 grants of representation were issued in 2019,
The Law Gazette has reported that the Law Society of England and Wales and the Ministry of Justice have been in communication about finding ways to make the execution of Wills easier whilst the UK
It has been revealed that Brits are increasingly relying on their personal pensions to play a pivotal role in later life income, according to the latest Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Report. Using data from
Is your law firm prepared for remote working? Bars, restaurants, clubs, gyms and social spaces have been asked to close by the government with all employees advised to work from home wherever possible. With over
The UK has been placed on high alert in recent days as the as the total UK confirmed cases of the Coronavirus surpassed 36. Overall, the COVID-19 virus has infected 89,198 people with over 80,000
Despite the anxiety enveloping the UK at the moment, we can confirm that the British Wills and Probate Awards will take place and we have every intention of holding the gala dinner in October! So
Covid-19 – A brief look from a probate practitioner’s perspective By Lydia Pemberton We are living in worrying times. The UK is not formally in lock-down but the writing is on the wall. Only history
Since the government launched the Children’s Funeral Fund for England (CFF) in July, over 1,000 grieving families have used the scheme. The fund has paid over half a million pounds to families who have lost
The pension sector is losing an estimated £6 billion each year to fraud. When broken down, private pensions are losing £4.9 billion each year whilst public and government pensions are losing £1.1 billion according to
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