header-logo header-logo

LNB News: Law Society continues to advocate for reform to law on will making

15 April 2021
Categories: Legal News , Wills & Probate , Profession
printer mail-detail
The Law Society has reported that its Wills and Equity Committee is continuing to engage in regular discussions with the Law Commission on the matter of reforming the legal framework for making a will. 

Lexis®Library update: In July 2017, the Law Commission launched a consultation which sought views to inform proposals for reforming the Wills Act 1837. The Law Society endorsed the majority of the Law Commission’s proposals including for the definition of capacity in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to be used for testamentary capacity and for courts to be given a dispensing power to recognise and give legal effect to a testator’s intentions, where strict formalities for making a valid will have not been followed. Although the Law Commission has paused its work on wills, the Law Society confirmed that it will update its members as the project develops.

The Law Commission consultation can be found here.

The Law Society’s response to the consultation can be accessed here.

Source: Reform of the law on making a will

This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 14 April 2021 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: www.lexisnexis.co.uk.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll