Probate Registries

An update in relation to the current position with the Probate Registry.

The last year or so has seen a number of changes for the Probate Registry with the closure of some sub-registries, the threat of more closures, a new computer system and the possible increase in Probate Court fees, which saw a spike in applications to avoid those potentially higher fees. All these issues have meant extended timeframes in terms of how quickly applications and queries were being processed, uncertainty in terms of how applications were now being dealt with and difficulties in being able to contact a Probate Registry over the telephone.

Which Registries are still open?

All of the District Registries are still open. There are future proposals for the closure of some further Sub-Registries but there is no concrete information available about this at the current time. HMCTS has confirmed this will only happen when they are confident it will not adversely impact the service they offer.

The Sub-Registries which are now closed are Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Lincoln, York, Chester, Lancaster, Carlisle, Middlesbrough, Peterborough, Exeter, Gloucester, Leicester, Caernarvon, Carmarthen, Sheffield, Maidstone, Norwich and Bodmin.

Where should solicitors be sending applications to given some Sub-Registries are now closed and with conflicting information available about the District Registries?

Solicitors are able to send their applications to any of the District Registries (Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool, London, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Newcastle and Winchester). At the current time the District Registries are sharing resources, so irrespective of an application being received at a particular...