Latest news
2026 Probate fees consultation
- Article
- 11 Jul 2025
Recognising inflationary pressures and to continue delivering our programme of activity to fulfil our objectives under the Legal Services Act, we propose a small increase to the 2026 probate registration fees. Please review the information below, including our budget, medium-term business plan and the proposed new fee scale, and respond to our suggested fee levels for 2026.
HMCTS updates for probate practitioners: June 2025
- Article
- 02 Jul 2025
We update you on the outcome of our latest meeting with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). These meetings provide a platform for us to raise your feedback and help us to understand any operational issues affecting probate practitioners. Find out the latest information on operational performance, service updates and technical developments. We also provide an update on the feedback and questions that were raised during the meeting.
Annual return FAQs for firms accredited for legal services
- Helpsheets and support
- 26 Jun 2025
We have prepared these responses to frequently asked questions to assist firms with understanding recent changes to the annual return. These changes have been made in anticipation of new regulations that will come into effect later in 2025.
2025 Legal Services Regulatory Update webinar recording – now available
- Article
- 11 Jun 2025
Tune in to the recording of the 2025 Legal Services Regulatory Update and access the resources from the webinar to stay up to date on regulatory matters for probate practitioners.
Engagement letters for accredited legal services firms
- Regulations
- 06 Jun 2025
ICAEW has a number of resources to support our accredited legal services firms. Amongst these are engagement letter templates with sample wordings to help you draft your own engagement letters. Read what changes have been made to Schedule Q, the template for legal services firms.
ICAEW response on LSB Consultation on Upholding Professional Ethical Duties
- ICAEW consultation and response
- 04 Jun 2025
- PDF (229kb)
ICAEW has responded to the Legal Services Board's (LSB) consultation on its proposed statement of policy on upholding professional ethical duties. ICAEW Chartered Accountants are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of professional conduct, and we welcome the LSB’s proposed statement of policy on upholding professional ethical duties. This response, dated 28 May 2025, represents ICAEW's views as an Approved Regulator and Licensing Authority under the Legal Services Act 2007.
Supporting our survey for clients of legal services
- Article
- 07 May 2025
Help us understand how empowered probate clients are in choosing a provider. Our survey aims to gauge consumers’ experiences with accessing legal services.
Help The Gazette improve its services
- Article
- 08 Apr 2025
The Gazette (UK’s official public record) is one of the outlets for making the public aware of a deceased’s estate through statutory advertisements. It is making improvements to its website and services and invites probate firms to share their views.
All available issues of Probate News e-newsletters
Probate News, Issue 26
- Newsletter
- 08 Apr 2025
Register for our June Legal Services Update webinar, find out how we performed in the Legal Services Board’s annual assessment, read the latest information from HMCTS and join our Legal services reference group to share your views with our Policy Team.
Probate News, Issue 25
- Newsletter
- 27 Jan 2025
Give your view on proposed changes which, among other amendments, will introduce the service of the administration of oaths, sign up to the Probate Diversity Survey webinar to learn what’s new for 2025 and access resources and an update from HMCTS.
Probate News, Issue 24
- Professional standards
- 07 Aug 2024
Sign up to our Legal Services Update webinar, give your view on ICAEW’s proposed fee scales for 2025 and use our consumer guides as a resource for your clients. We also share upcoming changes to professional indemnity insurance requirements and the ICAEW Code of Ethics.
Probate News, Issue 23
- Newsletter
- 05 Feb 2024
In this issue, alongside our headline stories, you can also find out about our recent meeting with HMCTS, check the complaints information you are publishing is correct and find reminders of key updates for probate firms via our refreshed news webpage.
Probate News, Issue 22
- Newsletter
- 28 Jun 2023
In this issue, access our updated engagement letter helpsheet, see what's changed in the Legal Services Regulations, respond to our consultation on proposed probate fees for 2024 and read our review of the Mercia training course.
Probate News, Issue 21
- Newsletter
- 08 Mar 2023
Highlights in this issue include valuable resources and key dates for this year’s Probate Diversity Survey, best practice when notifying potential creditors about deaths and updates to the CPD framework guidance. There is also an opportunity to apply for remunerated positions on our regulatory committees.
Probate News, Issue 20
- Newsletter
- 22 Nov 2022
In Issue 20 of Probate News, we highlight a compliance issue our Quality Assurance Department is finding during monitoring reviews and provide information about the next probate diversity survey. We also highlight resources for probate firms.
Probate News, Issue 19
- Newsletter
- 12 Aug 2022
The latest issue of Probate News includes an invitation to respond to our 2023 probate fees consultation, reminders of key guidance and resources such as a list of common inadvertent breaches of the Probate Regulations and an article that highlights the benefits of carrying out client satisfaction surveys.
Keep updated
Be the first to know when regulatory newsletters are released by following us on LinkedIn and subscribing to our monthly newsletter, Regulatory & Conduct News.
Follow us on LinkedIn Subscribe to our newsletter 
Further support
Useful links
Please make use of the following resources to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest regulatory information and news: