Private Client
No plans to review regulation of estate planning, says minister
The government has no plans to review the regulation of estate planning and trust-selling practices in the wake of the collapse of Anglo-Scottish law firm McClure, a justice minister has said.
Estate planning firm becomes ABS and buys family law practice
An established estate planning firm has entered regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and bought a family law practice to expand the services it offers.
Junior solicitor avoids strike-off after deleting part of handover note
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has decided against striking off a junior solicitor who deleted part of a colleague’s handover note to cover up his failure to do what it said.
Solicitor rebuked for telling trainee to backdate deed
A solicitor who instructed a trainee to backdate a deed has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after she admitted to an error of judgement.
Private client specialists have “mixed feelings” about electronic wills
Most private client specialists have “mixed feelings” about Law Commission plans to permit electronic wills – but would embrace them if they happen.
Aviva-backed law firm bids to automate much of probate process
A “hybrid” probate law firm set up by a former banker and backed by Aviva is aiming to use lessons from fintech in its bid to automate and streamline the process.
Judge surprised that paralegal did not know legal limits of her work
The High Court has expressed surprise that a paralegal did not know more about the restrictions that the reserved legal activities imposed on her work.
Solicitor’s online pet tool joins global incubator programme
A private client solicitor has launched an online tool to help ensure pets are looked after following their owner’s death, incapacity, divorce or separation.
Mazur: Law Society advice amid probate and crime concerns
Private client group STEP is to lobby the government to bring probate rules in line with the Legal Services Act 2007 in the wake of the Mazur ruling.
Allegation over solicitor’s role in will “should never have been made”
An allegation that an old woman who owned a farm in Devon signed codicils under the undue influence of a solicitor “should never have been made”, a High Court judge has said.
Solicitor “did not perceive risk” of failing to witness PoA properly
A solicitor who failed to properly witness a power of attorney during the pandemic has received a suspended suspension.
High Court orders will writers to take part in mediation
The High Court has consolidated a negligence claim against a will-writing company with a dispute over the will it drafted, and ordered the company to engage in mediation.
Will writer’s failures help convince judge to find undue influence
Failures by a will-writing company were among circumstantial evidence that led a High Court master to decide a will was made under undue influence.
Applications to block probate rise to all-time high
The final quarter of 2024 saw an all-time high in quarterly applications to block probate in England and Wales, research has found.
Ban for Co-op estate planner over LPA dishonesty
An estate planning consultant at Co-operative Legal Services who falsely confirmed that he had witnessed the signatures on a lasting power of attorney has been banned.
Blog
Mazur: when regulators make simple things complicated
What the last six months have shown is that supervision cannot be treated as a background compliance obligation quietly managed somewhere in a firm’s operational processes.
How unstoppable AI is reshaping UK legal practice
At a time when most technology innovation still flows from the US and China, UK lawtech is attracting growing international attention and capital.
Modern vehicles: new injury profiles and new legal challenges
As the number of electric vehicles on UK roads continues to grow year-on-year, it is important to address the risks that come with their increased adoption.
