Probate News

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.

The Legal Ombudsman is seeking feedback on its Model Complaints Resolution Procedure (MCRP) from our accredited legal services firms and their clients to improve complaints handling, clarify guidance and templates, and identify additional resources to support early resolution of complaints across the legal sector. Your input is important. Please respond by noon, 19 May.

ICAEW acknowledges the importance of the Ministry of Justice's objective of securing sustainable funding to support the justice system in England and Wales. As an approved legal services regulator, ICAEW shares and supports the aim of promoting access to justice. However, we do not consider that diverting interest belonging to bereaved and often vulnerable consumers is a proportionate or appropriate mechanism to achieve this and ICAEW does not support the proposal. Read our consultation response to further understand the reasons for our position

Read the latest updates from HMCTS - topics include operational performance and management updates, upcoming changes to intestacy applications, new PA1A and PA1P digital forms and details of how to register for the next online information session for probate practitioners.

Learn what our top findings were from monitoring reviews in 2025 by accessing our latest infographics for Probate and Oaths, DPB (Investment Business) and Insolvency. 

ICAEW has responded to the Legal Services Board’s consultation. We support the overall ambition to improve equality, diversity and inclusion but urge a more flexible, proportionate approach.

On our web page “Legal Ombudsman guidance on handling complaints”, we signpost resources from LeO to help legal services firms with their practice. Read the latest LeO Spotlight article “Probate – How to be reasonable” for guidance on clear, timely communication with executors and beneficiaries to prevent complaints.

New research suggests that embedding inclusion and choice into the delivery of legal services can help to mitigate the risks of digital exclusion. We look at the key findings and discuss how ICAEW-accredited legal services professionals can design their services so that digital efficiency doesn’t lead to inequality.

Join one of HM Courts & Tribunals Service's lunch and learn sessions throughout November and December:

• Thursday 13 November: Lost wills
• Thursday 27 November: Foreign domicile cases
• Tuesday 9 December: National probate user group meeting

To register, please email NSfamilybmt@justice.gov.uk.

If you have decided to offer the administration of oaths in addition to your other probate services, then visit the ICAEW Probate Consumer Hub for articles you can share with your customers to help explain the service. 

If you’re an ICAEW probate practitioner and interested in making a difference in the regulatory sphere, there is a vacancy on our Legal Services Committee. As one of our professional conduct and regulatory committees, the role is remunerated. Help shape the standards for good practice and professional conduct and apply now. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

From 1 October 2025, ICAEW-accredited legal services firms are authorised to administer oaths. Access our legal services resources on administering oaths and affirmations.

From 1 October, the updated Legal Services Regulations are in effect to reflect changes in line with the results from the consultation on the administration of oaths and complaints handling. Access the regulations to ensure your policies and processes are in keeping with the new requirements.

Following a consultation process, new Legal Services Regulations took effect on 1 October 2025. Read a summary of the key changes relating to complaints handling.

The results of ICAEW's fifth Probate Diversity Survey are available. The report includes data from more than 10,000 responses and provides valuable insights into how the diversity profile of ICAEW probate firms is evolving. Access the comprehensive report, summary and webinar to learn about the results.