IHT receipts up over 1/2 billion pounds
HMRC figures show a £0.6bn increase in inheritance tax (IHT) receipts in the first half of 2021/22 than in the same period a year earlier. £3.6bn in IHT was collected between April and October 2021, a 20% increase on the same period a year earlier. Receipts were higher than expected in October 2020, November 2020, […]
Video Will Witnessing: What happens next?
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a survey to inform its response to future consultations on extending the witnessing of wills via video beyond the end of January 2022. In July 2020 the Ministry of Justice announced that temporary legislation would be enacted to legalise the witnessing of wills via video in […]
Awards winners have their say…
Two and a half weeks on from the highly successful British Wills and Probate Awards, sponsored by Executor Solutions there is still a warm afterglow around the event. Social media is awash with certificates and trophies sitting pride of place and the gallery is now available on The British Wills and Probate Awards website. Today’s […]
1 in 20 bank branches closed in last 3 months
The Financial Conduct Authority have released figures which show that access to bank branches is decreasing, with 267 branch closures between April and June 2021. The impact on consumers means that 60.1% of the population is within 2km of a bank branch (down from 61.8% the previous quarter), and 87.5% are within 5km of one […]
‘The Mike Brewer Collection’ up for sale
Motoring television presenter Mike Brewer is offering up five cars for auction from his personal collection. All cars will be sold by Silverstone Auctions at the upcoming NEC Classic Motor Show on Saturday 13th November from 1pm. The catalogue for the final Silverstone Auctions sale of 2021 boasts over 130 classic and collector cars, as […]
Rob Rinder heads probate industry’s annual awards in 2022
Rob Rinder, criminal barrister and television personality will host the 2022 Probate Research Awards in person – otherwise known as ‘The Probies’ – on 28 April 2022 at the One Great George Street in Westminster, London. With 2022 being the fourth year of the Probies – now featuring 14 key categories – the initiative highlights […]
Equity release set to hit £4bn in 2021
The Equity Release Council have released its Q3 market statistics which show that homeowners are, for the first time, set to access over £4bn of property wealth via equity release. 2021 has seen £3.46bn released year to date, with Q3 lending up nearly one-fifth on 2020. The equity release market has seen lending exceed £1bn […]
Unbundling has “untapped potential” states LSCP
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has concluded that legal unbundling services should be promoted more proactively in a bid to reduce scepticism and encourage more firms to offer the service. Defined as “the separation of tasks within a package of legal services between the consumer and the legal service provider” in which the two parties […]
CILEx Regulation approved to regulate ACCA Accountants for Probate
CILEx Regulation is delighted to announce that the Legal Services Board has approved its application to provide ongoing legal regulation to ACCA accountants delivering non-contentious probate services. Following the decision by ACCA earlier this year to withdraw as a legal services regulator, this approval will ensure consumers remain able to access probate services from qualified […]
One in ten over 75’s have not made a Will
New research has found that around 2 million retirees are yet to make a Will. the breakdown covers around 12% of over 75’s and 22% of 65-74 year olds who do not have a will in place according to research conducted by Just Group. Power of Attorney arrangements are much less common than wills with […]
Comfortable retirement now 4.9% more expensive
Pensioners must now spend more to cover basic living costs as funding a comfortable retirement has jumped by more than £2000 per year for couples. An industry report predicts that an extra £40,000 will be needed to fund a comfortable 20 year retirement. This year’s updated Retirement Living Standards (RLS) from the Pensions and Lifetime […]
Greener courts initiative
The Government is investing in a £40 million initiative to cut carbon emissions of courts across England and Wales. The investment will see a range of new measures designed to improve the sustainability of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), making it more environmentally friendly, both now and into the future. Proposed measures include a […]
JOIN US: Live stream The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021
With just a few days to go until The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021, sponsored by Executor Solutions, momentum is building toward the big day. And we invite you to join us on the live stream available via The British Wills and Probate Awards website. This year’s hybrid event will see the industry come […]
Failure to introduce “proper risk assessments” number one AML failure
A review completed by the Solicitors Regulations Authority into law firm anti-money laundering failures has identified a 40% increase in the number of potential AML breaches reported to the SRA, with the number one area of non-compliance is not having a proper risk assessment in place for AML matters. The SRA has published its first […]
CILEx Regulation grants first ABS licence
CILEx Regulation has announced that it has licensed its first Alternative Business Structure (ABS) in a move that is likely to increase further competition in the legal services industry and offer greater choice to consumers. TI Law Ltd was licensed by CILEx Regulation in September 2021. The firm will now be able to offer a […]
2 weeks to go…
The British Wills and Probate Awards sponsored by Executor Solutions returns with a bang this year as the hybrid event comes to Birmingham’s newly refurbished Grand Hotel on 21st October. Hosted by ex-Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond, the ceremony recognises the very best the Wills and Probate world has to offer with a range of categories […]
In a world of diminishing inheritances, quick probate property sales are vital: a Proffered case study
A recent survey shows that 18% of adults aren’t planning to leave an inheritance to their children, and reveals that further declines are to be expected. The survey, conducted by Opinum shows that 7% will instead leave their estates to grandchildren, or other family members, to avoid monies being subject to inheritance tax twice. But further studies have also revealed […]
Positive response ahead of new solicitor exam’s first sitting
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) today announced that more than a thousand people have signed up to take the first ever Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) assessment in November. The new single rigorous examination means that all aspiring solicitors will have to meet consistent, high standards at point of entry into the profession. Bookings for the […]
British Wills and Probate Awards: Judges’ Insights with Trevor Worth and Jane Cassell
As Champagne Sponsors at this year’s British Wills and Probate Awards 2021, we continue to celebrate with our Judges’ insights series. We will be sharing weekly interviews with the judges themselves to get their views on the future of the industry and what firms need to do to excel. Following last week’s topical interview with […]
Don’t miss out… The British Wills and Probate Awards 2021
Tickets for 2021 British Wills and Probate Awards sponsored by Executor Solutions are selling out quick. This year’s event will be hosted as a hybrid ceremony; with an in-person awards ceremony which will also be live streamed, followed by the Champagne Reception, sponsored by Exizent, and a glitzy 3 course evening dinner. The fabulous Jennie Bond […]
