Updated 24 March 2020: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has launched new standard application forms for professional practitioners.
Three of the grant of representation forms have been redesigned for the professional sector. These are the PA1A (applying for grant of letters of administration), PA1P (applying for a grant of probate) and PA8A (applying for a caveat). These forms need to be completed in place of the Statement of Truth, and can be accessed from Probate forms and guidance.
If you want to apply for a grant of representation or caveat online, please visit HMCTS online services for legal professionals.
HMCTS is encouraging everyone to apply online so that HMCTS can continue to work remotely on the applications.
Updated 10 March 2020: It is now possible to make an online application for a Welsh grant via: A oes gennych chi dystysgrif marwolaeth?
Updated 14 February 2020: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is now issuing new grants within two weeks of all professional online or paper applications for England and Wales.
HMCTS has requested feedback from professionals who have used the new online system. It has registered approximately 1,000 online applications since the launch and is urging other professionals to sign up.
STEP has relayed the message to HMCTS that some emails and calls are still going unanswered.
Updated 2 December 2019: STEP met HMCTS this week, together with The Law Society, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
HMTCS provided the following update on the Probate Service:
Timeframe
For personal applications HMCTS is now issuing grants in less than four weeks.
For professional applications grants are being issued within two to three weeks.
HMCTS issued 11,390 grants in the first two weeks of November.
HMCTS has identified that 16 per cent of stops are caused by a pending IHT421 and 11 per cent of stops are due to a missing death certificate.
The new online system will help to identify the reasons for other stops in due course.
Online system
HMCTS is promoting the use of its online system and is keen to see increased professional uptake. It is also looking at introducing a new paper form in the new year. Once introduced there will a transitional period to enable firms to implement.
The online service for Welsh applications will be implemented in the new year.
Customer Service
From 2 December 2019 the CTSC customer service centre will be open from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and from 8am-2pm on Saturday.
If you continue to have issues with a probate application please contact HMCTS by email: probatefeedback@justice.gov.uk
Alternatively, contact STEP’s Policy Team and we will direct you to someone at CTSC who can assist.
STEP will continue to meet with HMCTS regularly next year to discuss future changes to the service and feedback from the industry.
