A recent BBC News article brings acutely into focus the desperate shortage of affordable housing in England.

Yesterday, the government released their own Reactivation Notice.  Also yesterday, the Master of the Rolls (the most senior judge in England), released the final version of the guidance to courts on how possession proceedings will resume and be conducted following the lifting of the stay.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 originally envisaged two providers of deputyship services outside of the family members of those requiring assistance: solicitors and local authorities.  Mechanisms for both forms of service providers were included in the Act and its connected guidance.  The 15 years during which the Act 2005 has been in place, however, have seen a dramatic development in the landscape in which deputyships are granted and administered.  

On 7th September 2020 legislation was laid before Parliament to bring into force changes to the age-old Wills Act 1837(‘the Act’) to enable Wills to be witnessed virtually by video conference.

As the general public isolate under the current government guidelines many are benefiting from connective benefits of modern technology. We know through experience that many elderly and vulnerable people prefer to deal with banking in person rather than online or over the ‘phone and the requirement to self-isolate has brought a stop to your ability to deal with your finances.

Where someone passes away without a valid Will and without known close relatives, the first step is to see if they had any relations who may be entitled to claim from their estate. If nobody in the relevant categories has survived them, their assets will fall to the Crown – or, due to some historic rules, sometimes the Duchy of Cornwall or Lancaster.

If you are starting a business, you will probably want to know which business model is right for you. The way in which you set up your business can have many implications including tax, how you are paid, ownership, how business decisions are made, and the level of administration you may need to do.

The last few years have seen a large change in the way spousal maintenance is viewed by the Courts.

Duncan James, member of British boyband ‘Blue’, actor and theatre star, has been appointed as the first ever ambassador for Cauda Equina Champions Charity (CECC).

Long-term, the forecasts are that charitable gifts will continue to grow, from £2.9 billion in 2019 to around £3.5 billion in 2024.

The probate service is under pressure due to the number of enquiries checking on the progress of cases and asking general questions. They had been in the middle of a restructuring when the pandemic hit, potentially adding to the current pressure on them.

In all cases, where a Deputy no longer wishes to act, the Court of Protection will consider what is in the persons best interests before making a decision as to whether the Deputy may step down from their role.