Solicitors will have to submit probate applications online from next month under legislation laid in parliament, as the government promises a ‘quicker and more reliable’ probate service. According to the Law Gazette, the statutory instrument mandates that legal professionals use the online system in the majority of probate cases from 2 November. For more complex cases involving
Renters affected by coronavirus will continue to be supported over autumn and winter through comRenters affected by coronavirus will continue to be supported over autumn and winter through comprehensive measures confirmed today (10 September 2020) by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. The government has changed the law to increase notice periods to 6 months meaning renters now
A solicitor has been struck off the solicitor’s roll after being found guilty of misconduct. Cabeer Ahmed used £100,000 from a client’s estate to re-pay debts he owed to HM Revenue & Customs and an indemnity insurer. Ahmed’s misconduct resulted in the Solicitor’s Compensation Fund having to pay double that amount to cover the misdemeanour.
STEP and the Law Society of England and Wales have supported the compulsory use of the online probate system, however, they have urged the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to be cautious. The online service has been available for personal applications since late 2016. This was then extended to professionals after changes to non-contentious probate rules
Despite an increase in divorce and wills work, profits fell for the Co-op’s legal services business, caused apparently by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Law Gazette, half-year results published by the retailer, covering the six months to 24 July, showed that underlying profits for Co-op Legal Services were down from £3m to £2m, with turnover
Citizens Advice has warned that the coronavirus is creating an “enormous strain” on relationships. Citizens Advice said divorce guidance searches had increased since April after a drop in visits when lockdown started. Citizens Advice said views on its divorce webpage on the first September weekend had risen by 25% in comparison to the same date
According to the Law Gazette, a statutory instrument legalising video-witnessed wills has been laid before parliament and will come into force at the end of the month. In an order laid in the House of Commons, the lord chancellor temporarily amended the Wills Act of 1837, allowing the witnessing of wills to take place via
A wealthy Russian businessman and his ex-wife continue to be embroiled in a divorce battle years after telling a judge they had settled their differences over his fortune. Arkady Rotenberg and his ex-wife Natalia began disputing money in 2014. Mr Justice Moor oversaw private hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London and Court
Thousands of landlords are trying to avoid renting their properties to benefit claimants, according to the website OpenRent. However, a judge ruled “No DSS” (the Department of Social Security) rental bans were unlawful. According to the BBC, approximately 75% of listings on the website OpenRent said the landlords would not accept people on benefits. This
Proposed changes to outdated wedding laws will mean that couples could soon be free to get married on the beach, in a private garden or at sea. Furthermore, the Law Commission has suggested marriages could even be celebrated remotely over a video conference link, if another pandemic were to break out. The consultation on changing