Deregulation Bill Affects Probate

Peers in the House of Lords accepted changes made by the government to the Deregulation Bill which will grant the Council for Licensed Conveyancers the power to license people to conduct reserved probate work without them having to become licensed conveyancers. Historically, probate work was reserved for solicitors. This was extended to allow licensed conveyancers, regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), to conduct probate work. From August last year, accountants, regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, have also been able to conduct probate work. The proposed legislation will extend the scope of the CLC's authority to license probate practitioners. Presently, the CLC may only authorise a body or person to conduct reserved probate work if that body or person is already licensed to provide conveyancing services. The Deregulation Bill, if passed, will remove the requirement for a licensed...