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Proposed changes to outdated wedding laws will mean that couples could soon be free to get married on the beach, in a private garden or at sea.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
The Court of Appeal has revealed a family case involving allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour came before at least 15 judges. According to the Law Gazette, in R v P (Children: Similar Fact Evidence), the court set aside a case management decision to exclude evidence in family proceedings ahead of a fact-finding hearing. The Law
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed Net migration in the UK was around 313,000 in the year to March. This figure is up on 221,000 from the previous year. This increase has been driven by higher numbers in non-EU nationals arriving in the UK to study. The latest numbers from the ONS show net
The Ministry of Justice revealed that a temporary statutory instrument will be laid in September allowing wills to be witnessed remotely in England and Wales. The Law Gazette reported that the statutory instrument will significantly alter the Wills Act 1837, which previously required two witnesses to be in the physical presence of the testator. The