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 […]
Shielding Firms And Clients From The Digital Threat: SRA Risk Outlook 2019/20
In the opening six months of 2019, law firms reported that £731,250 worth of client money was lost to cyber crime, prompting the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to deem cyber crime to be one of the greatest threats a law firm will face in 2019/20. Cyber security and information security is now deemed a more severe threat than last year, moving […]
Illegitimacy – The “Shameful” Secret
What does Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci, actress Marilyn Monroe and Jon Snow (in the earlier seasons of Game of Thrones anyway) have in common? All were born illegitimately. This used to be frowned upon of course and often a source of shame for families. Some still though knew of their fathers. Others did not. […]
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. […]
Time Is Running Out To Enter The LPM Practice Excellence Awards
Time is running out to enter the Legal Practice Management (LPM) Practice Excellence Awards 2020. A spokesperson for the LPM Practice Excellence Awards said: “The awards were launched in 2019 to recognise excellence in legal business management. The two core categories – people and efficiency – reflected the achievements and/or best practice of those working […]
VPNs Can Put Privacy And Security At Risk
When working remotely, it’s important to have a virtual private network (VPN) which enables you to link to your workplace and pass information back and to over a secure network. However, experts have warned that not all VPNs are as safe and secure as we’d like to think, with some applications exposing their users to surveillance and cyber attacks. Many free […]
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 […]
Let’s Talk About Legacy Giving…With Guest Speaker Lucinda Darby!
Charity isn’t a dirty word when talking Wills The public believes that legal advisors should provide information about leaving money to charity when providing Will-writing services and relevant guidance, and yet many advisors appear more comfortable talking death and taxes than they are about legacy giving. In this month’s webinar, Lucinda Darby, Marketing Manager at […]
New Research Sheds Light On Potential Improvements To Supported Will-Making
In April 2019, the Law Commission welcomed new research on the potential for reform to Will making for individuals with intellectual disability. The study, entitled, Supported Will-Making: A Socio-Legal Study of Experiences, Values, and Potential in Supporting Testamentary Capacity (the report) authored by Professor Rosie Harding, Dr Ezgi Taşcıoğlu, and Magdalena Furgalska, looked at the […]
The Saga Is Over: Justice Secretary Withdraws Probate Fees Order
The saga of the Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2018 has finally drawn to a close after the Justice Secretary announced the immediate withdrawal of the proposals at the weekend. The Order would have introduced probate fees on a sliding scale up to £6,000 depending on the value of the estate, replacing the current flat fee […]
Two Days Until The British Wills and Probate Awards Ceremony!
Thursday 17th October is the prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards 2019, brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. The sold-out event, which takes place at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham, will crown the very best individuals […]
Today’s Wills And Probate Is Five This Week
It is officially Today’s Wills and Probate’s fifth birthday! Having launched the publication on 12th October 2014 with aspirations of providing up to date news in the Wills and probate sector, we are delighted that the publication has grown from strength to strength. Since the publication’s birth, we have had the pleasure to produce pertinent […]
Deputyship Fees – Did You Pay Too Much?
On Friday 4th October 2019, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) launched a refund scheme, offering people the chance to request a refund if they were over charged for their deputyship fees between 1st April 2008 and 31st March 2015. Claims can be made by anyone who: Had a deputy previously Is acting on behalf of […]
Holding Client Money Subject To Financial Sanctions?
Risk management and compliance consultancy service provider, Legal Eye has urged solicitors to act now if they are holding client money on account that is subject to financial sanctions. Legal professionals have until tomorrow (11th October) to check the latest HM Treasury consolidated list of asset freeze targets to make sure lawyers are not holding monies belonging to a client that is subject to financial sanctions. […]
UK Legal Industry Acknowledges Importance Of Mental Health
It’s World Mental Health Day today, 10th October, and charity organisations, legal professionals and firms across the UK have echoed their sentiments across the community to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and well-being in the industry. Numerous legal firms and practitioners have taken to social media to show their support and become advocates […]
Webinar: The Estate Administration Timeline
Contribute to your continuing competence by joining the next specialist Title Research free webinar, taking place on Wednesday 16th October at 12:00pm. Title Research’s Technical Manager, Simon Barber, will take you through everything that’s involved in the estate administration timeline. Simon will discuss the importance of identifying assets, proving entitlement and what happens after distribution. He will […]
Ginger Baker Dies Aged 80
Legendary Cream drummer Peter Edward (Ginger) Baker, arguably one of the the most innovative and influential drummers in rock music, has died at the age of 80. Mr Baker had a long career, and although famous for co-founding the band Cream, he also played drums in his unique style of jazz meets rock, for Blond […]
SWW Conference Celebrates 25 Years
The opening day of The Society of Will Writers (SWW) Conference opened on a high yesterday (Monday 7th October), as it celebrated its 25th year. The Conference was opened by Brian McMillan, Director General for the Society, who informed the delegates of what has happened over the past 25 years and what the Society has […]
First Channel News 4 Anchor Dies Aged 77
It was announced today, Wednesday 2nd October 2019, that the former BBC and ITN newsreader and Question Time host Peter Sissons passed away aged 77. Born in Liverpool in 1942, Mr Sissons went to school with The Beatles – John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney. He went to Oxford University, and during the summer […]
