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As life expectancy rises and dementia diagnoses become more common, capacity challenges are emerging as a central issue in contentious probate claims. Disputes increasingly arise from concerns about whether testators truly understood and approved their Will's contents, requiring detailed examination of medical records and execution circumstances.

A High Court ruling has determined that the Solicitors Regulation Authority cannot compel production of legally privileged documents under section 44B of the Solicitors Act 1974, fundamentally limiting the regulator's investigative powers. The decision raises critical questions about the scope of regulatory investigations when client privilege is asserted, particularly in cases involving third-party complaints where the firm and client's interests align.

The Security Industry Authority has published a significant update on the implementation of Martyn's Law, providing crucial details on compliance templates, scope assessments, and the forthcoming notification portal. With the legislation expected to come into force in spring 2027, organisations must now turn their attention from understanding the requirements to preparing for practical compliance and regulatory oversight.