Wills & Probate

Assisted dying remains one of the most fraught fault lines in English law, where compassion and criminal liability sit uncomfortably close. Writing in NLJ this week, Julie Gowland and Barny Croft of Birketts examine how acts motivated by care—booking travel, completing paperwork, or offering emotional support—can still fall within the wide reach of the Suicide Act 1961

Does the law still reflect modern medical reality? Julie Gowland & Barny Croft on navigating the legal risks of assisted dying support

Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals

How do the courts treat a deceased's assets in cases of suicide? Alexa Payet & John Critchley examine three cases

The evolving intersection of assisted suicide, public policy and estate administration is under discussion by Alexa Payet of Michelmores and John Critchley of Field Court Chambers in NLJ this week

Digital assets have been given statutory recognition as personal property for the first time, allowing people to leave digital art and cryptocurrency to their heirs

In retrospective assessments, it is essential to instruct an expert with the right qualifications for the case at hand, writes Ann Stanyer

The High Court's decision in Parfitt v Jones [2025] EWHC 1552 (Ch) provided a striking reminder of the need to instruct the right expert in retrospective capacity assessments, says Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell in NLJ this week

Wills disputes have surged 61% in five years as relatives grow more willing to fight legal battles over larger inheritance pots

Lessons to learn from a High Court case involving both bigamy & intestacy, by Shivi Rajput