The backlog in probate delays is decreasing with the number of approved grants for probate applications returning to average levels in the last three months.
Even though the probate registry is struggling to swim against the tide of probate backlogs, the service is resuming to normal levels.
According to data obtained via a freedom of information request by Today’s Wills and Probate, the probate registry had issued 169,329 grants up to 30 September 2019. The average number of grants in the past two years, up to the end of September, was 197,387, highlighting a backlog shortfall of 28,058 grants.
However, since June, the average number of approved grants has started to return to normal volume levels.
261,310 grants were approved in 2017 with this figure increasing to 265,057 in 2018. Unfortunately, an influx of applications prior to the original date set for the probate fees increase, issues with new computer software and the registry centralising caused a huge backlog from March and into the summer.
Up to March, the probate registry granted an average of 20,577 applications per month. However, as the perfect storm of problems hit, this figure fell to 16,302 approved applications in March.
The service dropped to its most inefficient in April when a mere 13,232 applications were granted. These figures rose to 15,957 in May and 16,227 in June.
However, things started to improve in July when a massive 24,133 applications were granted. The service has since issued 21,090 grants in August and 21,233 grants in September.
HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) confirmed in September that they were receiving 700-800 applications daily and from both professional and personal applicants and confirmed that the delays had reduced to six or seven weeks in September.
They will continue to work to reduce probate delays so it returns to normal reflecting the level of work before March 2019.
To reduce the backlog, HMCTS increased their resources by 20% to deal with the influx of applications and recording paper applications onto the new system, which HMCTS has confirmed is now up to date. To combat the delays, HMCTS have employed three additional legal advisers to aid the assurance work, along with a further twenty volunteers offering overtime.
Whilst services may be returning to usual volumes, many practitioners have been frustrated by the poor communication in regards to the progress of their applications. Although the system is still in backlog, the fact that applications are processing at a quicker rate will mean that the problem is not increasing.
Are you still struggling with extensive probate delays? Have you noticed an improvement in the system recently?
3 Responses
What a load of rubbish,waiting for probate is useless we have been waiting for more than 4 months buying a property and going through a solicitor is worst,nothing has changed .The poor people waiting because of probate services is disgusting, so angry reading about its getting better, boils my inners.
Have been trying to purchase a property for which the seller has applied for a probate back in June. Have been waiting 3 months now and still no progress or update.
Hi Paul, I completely agree, my husband and I have been waiting for 6 months for the grant of probate to come through so we can complete the purchase of buying our first home. We’ve waited so long now that we feel like we cant walk away as sods law it will come through the day after! Its driven us mental and we are absolutely sick of chasing the solicitors! We’ve had hardly any information from them throughout this time. When will this misery end – thats what I want to know!