Private Client
Electronic signatures instead of witnesses for LPAs stay on the table
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
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
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.
Wills and probate market tops £2bn with contentious work on the rise
The value of the wills, trusts and probate market topped £2bn for the first time last year, with contentious work on the rise, and law firms’ grip on will-writing work continuing to slip.
Judge excoriates “reckless and quite possibly dishonest” solicitor
The way a solicitor went about preparing a £100m will was “reckless and quite possibly dishonest”, the High Court ruled yesterday.
Immigration solicitor certified LPA without checking client’s capacity
An immigration solicitor certified a lasting power of attorney for a walk-in client without checking his capacity, allowing the man’s son and attorney to misuse some of his money.
Accountancy body refused permission to exit probate regulation
The Legal Services Board has refused to ‘de-designate’ an accountancy body as a probate regulator over concerns that its members are now practising unregulated.
Lawyers back Raab decision to extend remote witnessing of wills
Lawyers have welcomed yesterday’s government’s decision to renew the temporary legislation allowing for the remote witnessing of wills for another two years.
Accountants finally fall into line on price transparency for probate work
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is finally set to impose compulsory price transparency on the accountancy firms that offer probate services.
Ince launches “most wide-ranging” private wealth offering
Listed law firm Ince has heralded a return to City firms offering private client services by launching an integrated private wealth offering for corporate clients.
Blog
The new leaders of law
Where once many law firm owners remained technology sceptics, a growing number are now shaped by leaders who are digitally fluent and commercially oriented.
Managing lock-up, cash flow and billing inefficiencies better
If law firms view lock-up, cash flow and billing processes as key indicators of financial performance – and therefore risk – they can identify problems early.
Ethical standards to protect the public
The recent BBC Panorama episode on solicitors acting for the Post Office highlighted how some lawyers can lose sight of their role to uphold the rule of law and the public interest.
