Latest news
Complaints handling in probate-accredited firms: improving consumer trust
- 21 Jan 2025
ICAEW is consulting on proposals aimed at improving consumer confidence in how probate-accredited firms handle complaints. Rachel Clements, Regulatory Policy Manager at ICAEW, tells us why the changes are necessary and explains what they mean for firms.
2025 Consultation: Proposed changes to the ICAEW Legal Services Regulations
- 13 Jan 2025
The ICAEW Regulatory Board is consulting on proposed changes to ICAEW’s Legal Services Regulations. These changes incorporate new provisions relating to the reserved legal service of the administration of oaths and requirements relating to first tier complaints introduced by the Legal Services Board (LSB) in May 2024.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service Update: timeliness, digital improvements and upcoming webinars
- 08 Jan 2025
In December, ICAEW and other regulators attended a quarterly update meeting with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). Rachel Clements, Regulatory Policy Manager, provides practitioners with the latest developments and key insights from the session.
Get ready for the 2025 Probate Diversity Survey
- 17 Dec 2024
The next Probate Diversity Survey is this spring. Join us to find out how to prepare – from understanding the process to using the free online survey tool plus changes for 2025. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. The webinar is free, and will take place on 5 February, 13:00-14:00. A recording will be available if you miss it.
HMCTS probate drop in sessions
- 14 Nov 2024
An opportunity for probate professionals to meet members of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, find out more about the service and give your feedback.
Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation: Changes to the Legal Services General Licence
- 08 Nov 2024
OFSI has made three specific amendments regarding increases to fee caps, a new permission for payments into non-UK bank accounts in a limited number of countries and clarifies how caps apply to in-house lawyers and directly instructed counsel. View the licence and updated FAQs.
Resolving challenges from banks and financial institutions
- 08 Oct 2024
ICAEW is working to build awareness among UK financial institutions that ICAEW-accredited probate firms are able to provide probate services and that access to deceased person’s assets isn’t limited to solicitors. Find out what actions are being taken and what resources are being put in place.
Help The Gazette improve its services
- 30 Sep 2024
Best practice for many ICAEW-registered probate firms includes publishing details of the deceased’s estate in The Gazette and/or local newspapers. The Gazette has reached out to ICAEW for help to test its new website to ensure it meets the needs of practitioners.
All available issues of Probate News e-newsletters
Probate News, Issue 25
- 27 Jan 2025
Give your view on proposed changes which, among other amendments, will introduce the service of the administration of oaths, sign up to the Probate Diversity Survey webinar to learn what’s new for 2025 and access resources and an update from HMCTS.
Probate News, Issue 24
- 07 Aug 2024
Sign up to our Legal Services Update webinar, give your view on ICAEW’s proposed fee scales for 2025 and use our consumer guides as a resource for your clients. We also share upcoming changes to professional indemnity insurance requirements and the ICAEW Code of Ethics.
Probate News, Issue 23
- 05 Feb 2024
In this issue, alongside our headline stories, you can also find out about our recent meeting with HMCTS, check the complaints information you are publishing is correct and find reminders of key updates for probate firms via our refreshed news webpage.
Probate News, Issue 22
- 28 Jun 2023
In this issue, access our updated engagement letter helpsheet, see what's changed in the Legal Services Regulations, respond to our consultation on proposed probate fees for 2024 and read our review of the Mercia training course.
Probate News, Issue 21
- 08 Mar 2023
Highlights in this issue include valuable resources and key dates for this year’s Probate Diversity Survey, best practice when notifying potential creditors about deaths and updates to the CPD framework guidance. There is also an opportunity to apply for remunerated positions on our regulatory committees.
Probate News, Issue 20
- 22 Nov 2022
In Issue 20 of Probate News, we highlight a compliance issue our Quality Assurance Department is finding during monitoring reviews and provide information about the next probate diversity survey. We also highlight resources for probate firms.
Probate News, Issue 19
- 12 Aug 2022
The latest issue of Probate News includes an invitation to respond to our 2023 probate fees consultation, reminders of key guidance and resources such as a list of common inadvertent breaches of the Probate Regulations and an article that highlights the benefits of carrying out client satisfaction surveys.
Probate News, Issue 18
- 28 Jan 2022
In this issue of Probate News, we ask you to tell us if you are still experiencing problems opening clients’ money bank accounts, we highlight the most common issue seen by the Probate Committee and we also share some useful information from the Legal Services Ombudsman to help you as you comply with the updated Probate Regulations.
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