Private Client

A solicitor who told clients that the Office of the Public Guardian was to blame for what were actually her own errors in registering lasting powers of attorney has been struck off.

A full review of the reserved legal activities is not justified at the moment without a “fundamental” reappraisal of the Legal Services Act too, the Legal Services Board has concluded.

A company which specialises in trust work has launched an alternative business structure to handle both its own work and instructions from other law firms.

Legislation to modernise lasting powers of attorney, including allowing chartered legal executives to certify copies, sailed through its latest stage in Parliament this week.

Solicitors have helped rumble a man now jailed for creating a false letter of wishes in an attempt to steal more than £2m from a deceased friend’s estate.

A law firm specialising in Islamic wills has been acquired in a seven-figure deal by a fintech company providing Shari’ah-compliant services.

Consumers are increasingly interested in add-on services to will-writing, such as funeral plans, and are also more open to online delivery of those services, new research has found.

Powers of attorney and “other guardianship advice” will lead the way as the wills and probate market continues to expand over the next few years, a report has predicted.

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.

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.