In a push to modernise the legal system, the Government are closing the doors of probate sub-registries throughout the UK.
Probate sub-registries closing down
On 31 January alone, a total of 18 probate sub-registries closed down including Peterborough, Norwich and Lincoln. Increasingly, a centralised national courts and tribunals function will be dealing with probate requests.
Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive of HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), wrote: ‘There will be a managed programme to close further registries, but this will only happen when we are confident closures will not adversely impact the time it takes for users to obtain grants of probate. There will be no further closures before April 2020, and we will let you know about others as they are confirmed.’
The probate fee fiasco that has played out since 2017 created a huge backlog of probate applications across the board. Consequently, many bereaved families were left facing open-ended delays.
Despite reassurance that things are returning to normal, many remain concerned that closures are as good as taking ‘one step forward, two steps back’.
Acland-Hood goes on to point out that many of the locations listed amongst the closures haven’t been staffed for years; others were open only on a part time and sometimes ad-hoc basis, using staff from other registries.
What do the closures mean for bereaved families and individuals?
I certainly take Acland-Hood’s point. The centralisation of the service will, I think, be a good thing for bereaved families and individuals awaiting a grant of probate. I also anticipate it being a positive change for us as practitioners, putting in requests and acting on our client’s behalf.
In the past year or two, there has been growing confusion and an exasperating lack of consistency (in addition to the aforementioned delays). We have previously sent documentation to a designated office, only for it to be referred to another ‘less busy’ office.
In addition, where ambiguities arise in relation to an application the Probate office has to make a ruling or interpretation. The conclusions often vary office to office. Centralising the service, we hope, will facilitate a more joined up approach to dealing with probate requests. Subsequently, much of the inconsistency that we and our clients have experienced up until now should be eliminated.
Ultimately, we want the courts and tribunal service to work more effectively with us as agents, to deliver the uncomplicated, stress-free experience that clients deserve.
Exactly how the service shapes up in the coming months remains to be seen. We will continue to monitor and cover any important developments, as we hear about them.
How can GH Probate help?
The process of obtaining probate, as well as all that follows, can be complicated and often time-consuming; not least because of the various rules, regulations and steps to adhere to.
We offer a comprehensive, non-contentious, service without any need to involve a third party. This instantly simplifies the whole process, for you.
By using GH Probate Ltd., you can rest assured that everything will be carried out correctly. We act with compassion and discretion, and we will do everything within our power to minimise any delays.
To talk to one of our probate practitioners about how we can support you, contact us today.
Our Probate service is provided through GH Probate Limited.
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