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NLJ this week: Wills by Zoom

13 August 2020
Issue: 7899 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19 , Wills & Probate
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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

NLJ Career Profile: Mike Wilson, Blake Morgan

NLJ Career Profile: Mike Wilson, Blake Morgan

Mike Wilson, managing partner of Blake Morgan chair of the CBI’s South-East Council, reflects on his career the challenges that have defined him

Clarke Willmott—Alexandria Kittlety

Clarke Willmott—Alexandria Kittlety

Partner joins commercial property team in Birmingham

Birketts—Will MacFarlane & Sarah Dodds

Birketts—Will MacFarlane & Sarah Dodds

Family team expands with double appointment in Bristol office

NEWS
Lawyers have expressed dismay at the Chancellor Rachel Reeve’s decision to impose a £2,000 cap on salary sacrifice contributions
NLJ is inviting its readers to take part in this year’s annual reader research, a short survey designed to help shape the future direction of the magazine. The questionnaire consists of just eight quick questions and offers an opportunity for legal professionals to share their views on the content, coverage and issues that matter most to them.
The Law Society has urged regulators not to ban the term ‘no win no fee’, as the profession contemplates measures to prevent a disaster like the SSB Group collapse from happening again
The legal profession's leaders have mounted a robust defence of trial by jury, following reports that Justice Secretary David Lammy is considering restricting it to rape, murder, manslaughter and other cases that are in the public interest
CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) has been granted permission to appeal Mazur, a decision which has caused consternation among litigation firms
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