Justice Committee’s inquiry into probate service of England and Wales

STEP is responding to the House of Commons’ Justice Committee’s inquiry into the probate service of England and Wales and the causes of delays. The consultation examines resource and capacity of the probate service to process applications, while considering long-lasting solutions to alleviate future case backlog. Background The quality of the probate service has declined… Read More Justice Committee’s inquiry into probate service of England and Wales

January 25, 2024 STEPeditorLeave a comment

UK government raises statutory legacy in England and Wales

The UK government laid a statutory instrument on 15 January 2020, which increases the net sum that a surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to receive in England and Wales where a person dies intestate leaving issue (children). The new legacy has been increased from GBP250,000 to GBP270,000, and will come into force on… Read More UK government raises statutory legacy in England and Wales

January 17, 2020January 17, 2020 STEPeditor1 Comment

UK government drops probate fee increase

STEP is delighted and relieved by the news that the proposed increase in probate fees in England and Wales has been dropped. News reports emerged early on Saturday morning (12 October 2019), to the relief of practitioners and others in the industry. ‘STEP welcomes the news that the government has decided to scrap the proposed… Read More UK government drops probate fee increase

October 14, 2019 STEPeditorLeave a comment

Will-writing reforms proposed

The Law Commission of England and Wales is holding a public consultation on reform of the law of wills. The current law, largely derived from the Wills Act 1837, is understandably antiquated and requires an overhaul. The Commission notes that 40 per cent of people in England and Wales die without leaving a valid will,… Read More Will-writing reforms proposed

August 8, 2017August 21, 2017 STEPeditor1 Comment

The STEP Blog

Tag: England and Wales