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Probate News

Probate News is a regulatory communication produced by ICAEW's Professional Standards Team. On this page, find all available issues of Probate News e-newsletters, plus recent articles and latest probate technical guidance and best practice information, communicated in monthly issues of Regulatory and Conduct News and other ICAEW communications. We email our relevant regulatory contacts when a new issue is released.

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Latest news

2027 Probate and oaths fees consultation
  • ICAEW consultation and response
  • 13 Jul 2026
Recognising inflationary and other pressures on registered firms and to continue delivering our programme of activity to fulfil our objectives under the Legal Services Act, we propose a 1% increase to 2027 probate and oaths accreditation fees and a 95% reduction in the levy. Please review the information provided and respond to our proposed budget, fee and levy levels for 2027 by 14 August 2026.
Have your say on proposed changes to LeO Scheme Rules for complaints handling
  • Article
  • 08 Jul 2026
ICAEW-accredited probate firms are invited to respond to the Office for Legal Complaints’ consultation on proposed changes to the Legal Ombudsman’s Scheme Rules, case fees and publication of decisions. Share your views by midday on 2 September 2026.
Supervision, delegation and accountability guidance following the Mazur appeal
  • Article
  • 18 Jun 2026
This guidance explains the Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur and its broader relevance to ICAEW-accredited legal services firms carrying out probate work. While the appeal decision does not change the position for ICAEW accredited firms, it reinforces the importance of effective supervision where work is delegated to unauthorised staff.
Legal services regulatory update 2026 webinar recording
  • Article
  • 09 Jun 2026

Watch back this webinar for an opportunity to hear from a range of speakers providing updates on the regulation of the reserved legal services of probate and oaths administration.

HMCTS update for probate firms: June 2026
  • Article
  • 05 Jun 2026
Read the latest updates from HMCTS including information on current probate service waiting times, action being taken to reduce stopped cases, developments to digital applications, and HMCTS’s latest guidance for professional users following recent legal developments.
Legal Choices website assessment results
  • Report
  • 07 Apr 2026
The results of an independent evaluation of the Legal Choices website are now available. Legal Choices provides independent information across a wide range of legal topics with the aim of increasing transparency and access to legal services for consumers. It is funded and run by legal services regulators in England and Wales including ICAEW. The assessment was commissioned to assess how effectively the site supports consumers with potential legal issues.
Webinar: Legal services regulatory update 2026
  • Article
  • 07 Apr 2026

Register to hear updates on the regulation of reserved legal services of probate and oaths administration. We’ll cover the latest common issues we are seeing on quality assurance reviews and the latest regulatory changes.

HMCTS lunch and learn for probate practitioners: 21 April 2026
  • Webinar
  • 02 Apr 2026

Join HMCTS for an online lunch and learn session where they'll be looking at practical ways to reduce stops on applications and give you insight into how they examine an application so you can better understand what they look for. The session will close with a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and explore scenarios relevant to your work.

More news

All available issues of Probate News e-newsletters

Probate News, Issue 27
  • Newsletter
  • 31 Jul 2025
Explore resources for firms and information to share with clients including a new article on inheritance tax. Read about updates to the engagement letter template, annual return FAQs for probate firms, the 2026 fees consultation, and webinar to go through the 2025 Probate Diversity Survey results.
Probate News, Issue 26
  • Newsletter
  • 08 Apr 2025
Register for our June Legal Services Update webinar, find out how we performed in the Legal Services Board’s annual assessment, read the latest information from HMCTS and join our Legal services reference group to share your views with our Policy Team.
Probate News, Issue 25
  • Newsletter
  • 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
  • Professional standards
  • 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
  • Newsletter
  • 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
  • Newsletter
  • 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.

Regulation and Conduct News

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Useful links

Please make use of the following resources to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest regulatory information and news: