header-logo header-logo

Probate speeds up & goes digital

19 February 2025
Issue: 8105 / Categories: Legal News , Wills & Probate , Technology
printer mail-detail
Average wait times for probate are now just over four weeks, HM Courts and Tribunals Service data published this week shows. 

This is reduced from 12 weeks in December 2023 and eight weeks in June 2024.

Justice minister Sarah Sackman KC said about 80% of grant applications are now completed online, with digital applications taking on average just over two weeks to complete. Paper applications take about 15 weeks.

Sackman said extra staff have been recruited to reduce delays. Two years ago, lawyers were advising clients to expect probate to take nine months, with some applications taking more than 11 months.

Issue: 8105 / Categories: Legal News , Wills & Probate , Technology
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

Charity strengthens leadership as national Pro Bono Week takes place

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Dual-qualified partner joins London disputes practice

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

Transactions practice welcomes partner in London office

NEWS
Intellectual property lawyers have expressed disappointment a ground-breaking claim on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) ended with no precedent being set
Two separate post-implementation reviews are being held into the extension of fixed recoverable costs for personal injury claims and the whiplash regime
Legal executives can apply for standalone litigation practice rights, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed, in a move likely to offset some of the confusion caused by Mazur
Delays in the family court in London and the south east are partly due to a 20% shortage of judges, Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, has told MPs
Entries are now open for the 2026 LexisNexis Legal Awards, celebrating achievement and innovation in the law across 24 categories
back-to-top-scroll