Private Client
Government brings video-witnessing of wills to an end
The pandemic measure to allow video witnessing of wills came to an end last week, after the government decided not to extend it beyond 31 January.
Solicitor jailed for stealing money using powers of attorney
A solicitor has been jailed for two years after admitting abusing her position to steal tens of thousands of pounds from two vulnerable people, one of whom was her father.
Law firm “let down” client over bid to propound will, master rules
A daughter seeking to propound a copy of her deceased mother’s will has been “let down” by her solicitors in failing to comply with an unless order to issue proceedings, the High Court has ruled.
Probate Service “should outsource complex cases to law firms”
Complex probate cases should be outsourced to law firms to cut the backlog of cases at the Probate Service, expert practitioners have recommended.
Private client lawyer who pocketed clients’ fees is struck off
A salaried partner who told clients to pay him in cash or with cheques made out to him, which he kept, has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
Delays at Probate Service starting to ease, says minister
Delays at the Probate Service are shortening in the wake of a “distinct improvement in recruitment, competency, productivity and call handling”, the government said this week.
Wills and probate market could top £3bn by 2027
The wills, trust and probate market could be worth over £3bn by 2027, new research has found, with “stronger demand” for powers of attorney and contentious probate.
Lawyers split over action on wills to address ‘predatory marriages’
Private client lawyers are divided over whether the rule that marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes a will should be scrapped as a way to combat ‘predatory marriages’.
MPs launch inquiry into lengthening probate delays
MPs have launched an inquiry into probate in the wake of mounting concern about how long the process is taking, with HM Courts & Tribunals Service admitting to rising levels of complaints.
Solicitor who practised unauthorised for son’s business is suspended
A solicitor who practised unauthorised and handled reserved probate work for a company owned by her non-solicitor son after her firm closed has been suspended for three months.