Caseloads and timeliness
While delays remain a concern for many professional users, HMCTS reported encouraging progress at the December update. Overall caseloads have continued to decline over the last quarter, and the average processing time for applications (submission to grant issue) across all applications was 9.6 weeks, down from 15 weeks in October 2023. Average call handling times of 20 minutes have been maintained this quarter.
HMCTS also highlighted its ongoing efforts to align the processing times of paper applications with those of digital applications. Figures for October show that the average time for a grant to be issued for unstopped paper applications was 6.8 weeks, while stopped applications took an average of 24 weeks.
Please let us know if you are still experiencing significant delays.
Applications and grants
In October 2024, HMCTS received 26,988 applications and issued 27,592 grants. Up to the end of October, HMCTS issued 282,112 grants and this figure was expected to exceed 300,000 by the end of 2024.
IHT400 forms
The changes to the system for submitting IHT forms to HMRC is reported to have significantly reduced the number of annual stops from over 10,000 last year to just a few hundred this year.
Practitioners receive a unique code from HMRC, which can now be emailed to reduce waiting times. Make sure you use the latest version of the IHT400 form to confirm your email address and sign the disclaimer to receive the code, otherwise it will default to being posted. Access the IHT400 form.
HMCTS is now focusing on improvements in other areas where there are common stops, such as where forms do not include all the executors, alive or deceased.
Digital Improvements for intestacy cases
From Q3 2025, HMCTS will expand its online portal to handle a wider range of intestacy applications. Multiple children or siblings of the deceased will now be eligible for digital submission. Previously, digital applications were limited to cases involving a surviving spouse or sole child.
HMCTS webinars
Look out for the registration details for a series of new webinars hosted by HMCTS in 2025. These will provide updates on:
- performance improvements
- changes to the MyHMCTS portal
- advice on resolving common application issues.
Your feedback
HMCTS is keen to hear your feedback on its recent changes which allow you to view paper applications on the online dashboard. Please let Rachel Clements know what you think so that she can pass on your feedback. If you encounter any significant challenges, please contact Rachel directly, so that we can address them with HMCTS as soon as possible.