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Stop press!

15 January 2009
Issue: 7352 / Categories: Features , Wills & Probate
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Michael Tringham explains why probate is hitting the headlines

The internet is alive with probate news: from referral services to will registries. Totallyfreewills.co.uk announce: “With the launch of a new online client referral service solicitors will have access to high value complex wills and lucrative probate business...UK consumers will be encouraged to create their free wills by securely inputting the required details online. The will is automatically generated then checked and finalised by an appointed Totally Free Wills panel solicitor.”

Meanwhile Certainty.co.uk is launching a will register, endorsed by former Law Society President Kevin Martin and available for wills prepared by regulated professionals. Certainty cite a survey showing that that 67% of people did not know where to find their parents’ Will. Their website adds: “Not being able to find a Will causes untold distress and potential financial loss for your family. It takes just 60 seconds to register your Will to be certain your Will is not lost, misplaced or forgotten over the passage of time.”

Last rites?
Yet only two years ago shrouds and obsequies were

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Kingsley Napley—Claire Green

Firm announces appointment of chief legal officer

Weightmans—Emma Eccles & Mark Woodall

Weightmans—Emma Eccles & Mark Woodall

Firm bolsters Manchester insurance practice with double partner appointment

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

NEWS
Transferring anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing supervision to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) could create extra paperwork and increase costs for clients, lawyers have warned 
In this week's NLJ, Bhavini Patel of Howard Kennedy LLP reports on Almacantar v De Valk [2025], a landmark Upper Tribunal ruling extending protection for leaseholders under the Building Safety Act 2022
Writing in NLJ this week, Hanna Basha and Jamie Hurworth of Payne Hicks Beach dissect TV chef John Torode’s startling decision to identify himself in a racism investigation he denied. In an age of ‘cancel culture’, they argue, self-disclosure can both protect and imperil reputations
As he steps down as Chancellor of the High Court, Sir Julian Flaux reflects on over 40 years in law, citing independence, impartiality and integrity as guiding principles. In a special interview with Grania Langdon-Down for NLJ, Sir Julian highlights morale, mentorship and openness as key to a thriving judiciary
Dinsdale v Fowell is a High Court case entangling bigamy, intestacy and modern family structures, examined in this week's NLJ by Shivi Rajput of Stowe Family Law
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