Blog
The shocking state of maternity care in England – will somebody finally listen?
James Bell
24 June 2026
Probate Fees Set to Rise by 75%: What It Means for Families and Practitioners
The government has announced a significant hike in probate application fees, set to come into force on 13 July 2026. While most court and tribunal fee increases are broadly in line with inflation, the probate fee stands out as a striking outlier - rising by 75% from £300 to £526. For families already navigating the stress of bereavement, and for the legal professionals who support them, the announcement has prompted serious concern.
22 May 2026
Rebuilding lives after brain injury: the role of the Court of Protection
This week is Action for Brain Injury Week, designed to raise awareness and understanding of acquired brain injury, and to highlight the challenges faced by survivors and their families. This year the focus is on isolation, which is a critical yet often overlooked effect of brain injury.
19 May 2026
Supporting people with dementia: a legal perspective for Dementia Awareness Week
Dementia Action Week, led by Alzheimer’s Society, is running a “Forget Me Not” campaign to raise awareness of dementia. As we reflect on the impact of dementia, we also consider how professionals like those who act as professional deputies can support people living with dementia and their families. We work to help them to maintain their dignity, independence and live the best quality of life possible for their circumstances, keeping the individual at the heart of the decision-making process.
27 April 2026
Lost in translation? Spring clean your cross‑channel documents
It may feel like an administrative burden to keep personal affairs in order, be that your Will, financial or estate planning. That burden can be even greater when the rules of two (or more) countries are relevant. We regularly help French nationals living in the UK to take steps to plan their personal affairs, given that the legal and administrative rules of two countries will be relevant to their legal documents.
27 April 2026
Spring statement 2026: What it really means for taxpayers
The 2026 Spring Statement, delivered on 3 March 2026, was intentionally modest in ambition and delivery. Reflecting the government’s stated preference for a single major fiscal event each year, the Spring Statement was used primarily to set out the economic context and respond to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest forecasts, rather than to announce wide ranging tax reform. Stability and predictability were clearly prioritised over new policy intervention.
