University From Down Under Taking Advantage Of Less Restrictive SRA Rules
The College of Law Australia and New Zealand (not affiliated with the previously known College of Law England and Wales, now The University of Law) has set up in London as a practice based training provider, looking to provide courses for the forthcoming Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE). Partnering with US firm BARBRI, who offers bar review courses, the newly […]
HMCTS Meet Their Targets Over Grants Being Issued
At an HMCTS meeting this week it has been confirmed they are continually making progress, as delays in issuing new applications are dropping with targets being met. Again, Ian Bond, Chair of The Law Society’s ‘Wills and Equity Committee’ met with HMCTS and representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) […]
Arken.legal (UK) Ltd Cuts Data Re-Keying by up to 50% with New Offline Option: Arken Anywhere
You can now take instructions offline and upload to your Arken Professional account once you’re back online In acknowledgement of increased demand for technology services on-the-move Ideal for home or hospital visits where internet connection can be unreliable, as well as instruction taker / consultant networks The cost of re-keying data is significant to Private […]
Hear From The ‘Large Firms Probate Provider Of The Year’
Congratulations to Kings Court Trust for winning ‘Probate Provider of the Year – large firms’ category at the second prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards on 17th October 2019 at the esteemed Belfry Resort and Hotel. With the increased number of submissions in categories for the awards this year, the judging panel were spoilt for […]
Wills Experts Discuss Latest ONS Families And Household Trends
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) on ‘Families and Households in the UK: 2019’ make insightful reading for the Wills community which highlights the changing trends in Brits’ living arrangements, including families. The most interesting factors emerging from the latest Families and Households in the UK which could impact on the Wills sector are […]
Predatory Marriages On The Rise
In the UK, the rise of ‘predatory marriages’ – where a person coerces an elderly person who may suffer from dementia (or similar illness that affects decision making) into marriage for financial gain – has sparked a call for family members to remain vigilant. Under English Law, marriage overrides any Will previously undertaken by a person. Meaning the widow/er is […]
Importance of Power Of Attorney Showcased
The importance and peace of mind a Power of Attorney (POA) can bring to a person and their loved ones has been showcased in the national spotlight this week. Annie Visser, has spoken publicly about the legal document which enabled her husband to “die with dignity”. Bradley Visser, 38, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury when he crashed his electric skateboard at […]
Certainty Expert Webinars presents Professor Lesley King
Join us on Thursday 28th November at 12.00pm when we will be joined by Professor Lesley King who is presenting this month’s Certainty Expert Webinar, titled ‘Issues Facing Small Family Trusts’. Many married couples (and to a lesser extent cohabitees) solve the problem of protecting assets against care home fees and second marriages by the […]
Over 55s’ Financial Security Uncertain In Modern Society
Financial security in later life is becoming increasingly uncertain with more than a third (35%) of the UK, over the age of 55-years-old, starting to live beyond their means. A quarter of respondents believe the heightened cost of living is forcing them into debt, according to recent research from equity release provider, more2life. 68% of respondents will […]
Technology Is Pivotal To Top Law Firms Strategic Plans
The use of evolving technology has become fundamental in the UK’s leading law firms key strategic planning. With developments in artificial intelligence, automation and machine learning transforming businesses, top law firms are tapping into the potential of tech to help meet the needs of the market. A recent survey of the UK’s top 100 law […]
Undue Influence – Contesting A Will, Should I Bother?
There are a handful of legal grounds for contesting a will. One of which is undue influence. This means one person has taken advantage of a position of power over another person, being the person making a will. But a recent survey has found that this is the least successful of all the legal grounds […]
Expert Discusses Administering An Estate And Time Constraints
A bereavement can be a difficult process to move through. When a person is asked to become the Personal Representative (PR) or executor of a deceased’s estate, it is imperative that all liabilities and assets are found to avoid an already painful time from becoming overwhelming. Ideally, the executor will collate all assets, discharge their liabilities and then distribute the balance in accordance […]
Catch Up With The Small Firms ‘Probate Provider Of The Year’
Congratulations to Purely Probate for winning ‘Probate Provider of the Year – small firms’ category at the second prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards on 17th October 2019 at the esteemed Belfry Resort and Hotel. With the increased number of submissions in categories for the awards this year, the judging panel were spoilt for choice as […]
When Blood Isn’t Thicker Than water!
There are thousands of people who rely on receiving a sizeable inheritance from relatives, however, they could be in for a surprise as ‘more than a quarter (28%) of retirees plan to leave their money to friends, animal charities and neighbours instead of children and grandchildren’. The number of unhappy relatives who believe they are […]
Court Of Protection Grants Man Permission To Marry
The England and Wales Court of Protection (CoP) has granted a 28-year-old man permission to marry his fiancée, following questions about his capacity raised by his deputy. The gentleman has learning difficulties, and as a result of a road traffic accident during adulthood, in which he lost a leg, he was awarded £1.5million compensation. Adrian […]
Genealogists Fees: How To Ensure They Are Fair
When instructing a professional genealogist firm, it can be difficult to determine what costs are reasonable for yourself and your client. There are typically three ways in which the work can be charged and that is contingency, fixed or time and expense. Contingency fees Contingency fees are often influenced by the value of the estate. […]
Accessing the Truth
Sometimes, as in life generally, you need to dig a bit deeper in order to discover the truth. This was certainly true of a Scottish claim, which the DUAL Asset team recently settled. The policy was taken out in August 2017 via the DUAL Asset online system, ‘My Defective Title Shop’. The system is bespoke and unique […]
Quarter Of Retirees Exclude Family Beneficiaries In Wills
Over a quarter (28%) of pensioners plan to leave their estate to beneficiaries other than close family members. Those young people who are increasingly reliant on inheritance and gifts to buy property may well be disappointed in this revelation. There are multiple reasons why retirees shun family beneficiaries, one of which is estrangement, but the […]
Used By The Best In Class In Private Client
As we approach another key event in the legal awards calendar, we are delighted to announce that 83.3% of the nominees for The Law Society’s ‘Excellence Award in Private Client Practice’ 2019, that are taking place next week, are users of Certainty the National Will Register. This follows the nominee announcement in August for the […]
HMCTS Stakeholder Audit Reveals Inconsistent Communications
A recent independent stakeholder audit into HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) £1 billion UK Courts and Tribunals Reform Programme reveals some concerning findings. Recent reports by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted a need for HMCTS to improve their stakeholder engagement. Following the report recommendations HMCTS responded by […]
