Private Client


Solicitor who certified LPAs “as a favour” is fined £6,000

26 October 2022

A criminal defence solicitor who said he certified two lasting powers of attorney “as a favour” for an elderly client has been fined £6,000 for failing to make the necessary checks.


Three key areas where trustees should question their financial adviser

14 September 2022

To help aid informed questioning, here are three key areas where trustees can consider questioning their financial adviser or asset manager, in relation to an investment recommendation for trust monies.


Modernising lasting powers of attorney: change is coming

17 August 2022

In 2007, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 introduced Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) which for the first time allowed a donor to appoint an attorney to make decisions both about their property and financial affairs, but also about their health and welfare.


Estate planning “agitator” aims to disrupt sector

12 August 2022

A new membership body for estate planning firms aims to disrupt the sector by providing a home for regulated and unregulated firms ranging from law firms and accountants to will writers and genealogists.


Fine for partner who failed to detail work on client files

19 July 2022

A partner who billed for her time ‘considering’ matters but did not detail in attendance notes what she had actually done has been fined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.


Will invalidated after solicitor failed to check “delusional” client’s capacity

1 July 2022

The High Court has invalidated a will prepared by a solicitor who was aware of the client’s “paranoid delusions” but did not investigate whether they affected his testamentary capacity.


Accountancy body can finally exit legal services regulation

15 June 2022

The Legal Services Board has granted permission for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants to formally pull out of probate regulation, having refused it in January.


Electronic signatures instead of witnesses for LPAs stay on the table

20 May 2022

The government has refused to rule out replacing the witnessing of lasting powers of attorney with electronic signatures despite widespread opposition in a consultation.


Exclusive: Co-op Legal Services eyes £100m turnover in growth push

18 May 2022

Co-operative Legal Services – the poster child of the alternative business structure era – is planning major expansion over the next five years to become a £100m operation.


Specialist contentious probate law firm launches network and tech

11 February 2022

A fast-growing law firm specialising only in contentious probate is launching a network to support non-specialist firms later this month, to be followed by two tech products.

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Blog


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A feature of law firm collapses and frauds has sometimes been the over-concentration of power in outdated and overburdened systems of control.


The new sexual harassment law: first among equals?

If there is a case for enhancing compensation for sexual harassment cases, then surely there is an equally strong case for enhancing compensation for other forms of harassment?


Harnessing legal frameworks to drive decarbonisation

Lawyers have a unique and pivotal role in the global push toward decarbonisation. They are stepping up to help organisations integrate sustainability into everyday operations.


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