Private Client
No strike-off for solicitor’s “spontaneous dishonesty”
A solicitor who signed a deed as a witness to a signature when she had not actually been present has escaped being struck off.
Search fund buys conveyancing and private client law firm
An investor-backed search fund has acquired a conveyancing and private client law firm as the start of a ‘buy and build’ strategy aimed particularly at SME practices with succession issues.
Junior solicitor lied about applying for grants of probate
A junior solicitor who told clients, colleagues and others that she had submitted applications for grants of probate when she had not, has been struck off.
Probate firm boss jailed for contempt over missing estate money
The boss of an unregulated probate business has been sentenced to a year in jail for contempt of court after failing to reveal the whereabouts of £432,000 of an estate’s money.
Suspended sentence for online harassment of solicitors
The partner of a deceased solicitor has received a suspended sentence for contempt of court after breaching injunctions designed to stop her online harassment of his executors.
“Come and join us”, CLC tells conveyancing and probate specialists
Solicitors’ firms specialising in conveyancing and probate should know there is an alternative to the SRA, the chief executive of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said.
More than a third of wills contain at least one trust
Some 36% wills drafted last year contained at least one trust, highlighting the importance of private client lawyers having expertise in trusts, according to a large-scale study.
Legal market to grow “in all areas” as PE extends reach
The legal services market will grow across all practice areas in 2026 for the first time since Covid, researchers have predicte, while a growing private equity presence is “a continuing theme”.
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.
Blog
Preparing people for the pace of technological change
While technology often dominates the conversation, I believe the most important challenge facing law firms is not adopting new tools – it is preparing people to adapt alongside them.
Reorientation in the AI era must begin with the client
Much of the discussion about AI in the legal industry focuses on technology: which tools to adopt and which tasks might get automated. But this misses the deeper story.
Awaab’s Law phase 2: New hazards council tenants can now claim for
The conversation on housing disrepair is moving beyond damp and mould alone. With the rollout of phase 2 of Awaab’s Law, the scope of issues covered is expanding significantly,
