Consumer Panel Remain Insistent on Path to Will Writing Regulation

The Legal Services Consumer Panel is determined to keep trying to persuade policymakers that Will writing should be made a reserved legal activity, even though the government decided not the support the idea in May.

The panel, an independent arm of the Legal Services Board created by Legal Services Act 2007, recently published its annual report summarising its impact on the industry over the past year.  The panel believes that Will writing was one area where it delivered an impact, which is evident from its investigation on bringing Will writing within the scope of regulation.  This research prompted the Legal Services Board's recommendation to the government that was eventually rejected.  The panel will continue to insist that regulating Will writing would safeguard consumers and ensure that their wishes are fulfilled - whoever prepares the Will.

One in five Wills prepared by both solicitors and Will writing companies were failed by a panel of experts.  Despite the government's decision on the matter, panel chair Elisabeth Davies states "this piece of work is not over yet.”

The Legal Services Consumer Panel's Annual Report can be accessed here.