header-logo header-logo

NLJ this week: Wills by Zoom

13 August 2020
Issue: 7899 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19 , Wills & Probate
printer mail-detail
Recent intervention by justice ministers to clarify that wills witnessed remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic will be considered valid has proved controversial in some quarters

It gave rise to fears remote witnessing would remove safeguards against undue influence and fraud. According to consultant solicitor Nicholas Bevan, however, common law interpreted ‘presence’ fairly broadly anyway. 

In the second part of a two-part series on the witnessing of wills, Bevan looks at the lead up to the government’s announcement of an emergency measure and the approach likely to be taken. 

Read more here. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
back-to-top-scroll