News
Increase in Fee to Register an LPA
8th Sep 2025
The Government has announced that the court fee for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will rise from… ...
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Increase in Fee to Register an LPA
8th Sep 2025
The Government has announced that the court fee for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will rise from £82 to £92 for any applications submitted from 17th November.
An LPA can not be used until it has been registered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Typically, it will take OPG around 12 weeks to process the registration. Therefore, we would always recommend that somebody registers their LPA as soon as it has been signed.
If you have an unregistered LPA and are considering registration, we recommend doing so now to take advantage of the current fee.
CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES
24th Dec 2024
The office will be closed between 24th December and 1st January, reopening on the 2nd… ...
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CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES
24th Dec 2024
The office will be closed between 24th December and 1st January, reopening on the 2nd January 2025. If you have an urgent query please call the office number. Our out-of-hours answering service will be able to take a message. These messages will be checked periodically by a member of staff and dealt with appropriately,
Congratulations to Natalie and Ellie
17th Dec 2024
Congratulations to our colleagues Natalie Tijanic and Ellie Denton for passing the STEP Advanced Certificate… ...
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Congratulations to Natalie and Ellie
17th Dec 2024
Congratulations to our colleagues Natalie Tijanic and Ellie Denton for passing the STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation.
We are super proud of them for all their hard work. It is not an easy exam and it demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that clients receive the best possible advice.
Remote Witnessing of Wills no Longer Allowed
7th Feb 2024
The Government has announced that the temporary legislation to allow the remote signing of Wills,… ...
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Remote Witnessing of Wills no Longer Allowed
7th Feb 2024
The Government has announced that the temporary legislation to allow the remote signing of Wills, is not being extended beyond 31st January 2024, marking a significant move backwards towards traditional legal formalities.
The temporary measures were put in place during the COVID pandemic, to allow people to get their Will in place whilst respecting the limitations imposed by lockdowns. Originally allowed until January 2022 and then further extended until January 2024, the legislation was particularly invaluable for those self- isolating due to health concerns.
Whilst removing the flexibility for some, it does highlight the importance of ensuring the correct witnessing of critical documents. Wills are highly contested documents and security of the signing process needs to be protected particularly for the vulnerable.
A Will is not just a document. It sets out a person’s final wishes and we have a duty of care to protect these wishes once the person has died. For us at Pavilion Row, this also extends to checking any concerns regarding undue influence, potential fraud or lack of capacity so that we can put in place measures to minimise the success if a claim is ever made.
The digitalisation of making a Will, both regarding how we give the instructions and the signing of the document, will continue to be debated and evolve. However, it remains that the process for creating and signing of a Will must be robust so that a person’s wishes can be protected and fulfilled.
Her Majesty The Queen
13th Sep 2022
We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. Our thoughts… ...
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Her Majesty The Queen
13th Sep 2022
We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
Our thoughts and condolences are with the Royal Family at this time.
In honour of Her Majesty, and to give our staff the opportunity to pay their respects, we will be closing the office Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty’s State Funeral.
TRUST REGISTRATION – deadline looming!
15th Jul 2022
The Trust Registration Service “TRS” deadline of 1st September 2022 for non-taxable trusts is now only… ...
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TRUST REGISTRATION – deadline looming!
15th Jul 2022
The Trust Registration Service “TRS” deadline of 1st September 2022 for non-taxable trusts is now only a matter of weeks away and all the indications are that there are many trusts that remain unregistered.
It is important that all Trustees understand the need to register a trust, including those that they may not even be aware of!
Which trusts are affected?
The majority of non-taxable trusts are now within the scope of the registration regime.
This includes lifetime Trusts but, importantly, also Trusts set up by a Will when somebody dies.
Will Trusts are often “passive” trusts which can easily be overlooked or forgotten about by Trustees. For example, a Life Interest Trust containing a share of the property. If the life tenant (often the spouse) remains living in the property, it is easy to forget or not realise that there is a Trust which needs to be registered.
What are a trustee’s responsibilities?
Legal responsibility for registration falls on the trustees, and it is a matter for trustees to decide and appoint a lead trustee to do this.
The trustees are required to keep accurate and up-to-date written records of the beneficial owners, including settlors (the people who established the trust), trustees, and beneficiaries.
The lead trustee is also required to update the register within 90 days of any changes/ updates occurring.
What happens if you do not register a trust with the TRS?
There is a legal obligation for trustees to register the trust. If you do not register the trust or keep the details on the register up to date, HMRC may impose penalties and fines for non-compliance.
Please contact us if you would like any advice.
Congratulations!
1st Jul 2022
Congratulations to our colleagues Jade Peckett and Will Morris for passing their STEP Advanced Certificate… ...
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Congratulations!
1st Jul 2022
Congratulations to our colleagues Jade Peckett and Will Morris for passing their STEP Advanced Certificate in Taxation of Trusts and Estates.
A very tough exam!
Our phones are down!
24th May 2022
We are aware that our phone system is currently down. Please email wills@pavilionrow.com and we… ...
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Our phones are down!
24th May 2022
We are aware that our phone system is currently down. Please email wills@pavilionrow.com and we will get back to you ASAP
Asset Protection Trusts, are they the Silver Bullet
19th May 2022
When used appropriately, trusts can be a great way to protect assets. However, too often… ...
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Asset Protection Trusts, are they the Silver Bullet
19th May 2022
When used appropriately, trusts can be a great way to protect assets. However, too often they are sold by unregulated firms as the ultimate solution for everything, promising to protect the family home from care fees, minimise Tax, and prevent probate costs.
These schemes are expensive, risky (as they may not work), totally inappropriate for many, and difficult to get out of.
A recent article in ‘This is Money’ is well worth a read to appreciate real life examples of the extent and scope of the problems that these sales tactics have caused.
There was also a segment on BBC’s RIP off Britain, last week, interviewing families affected by these types of trusts, often marketed as products such as, ‘The Family Property Probate Trust’, ‘Family Probate Preservation Trust’, or ‘Lifetime Living Trusts’
Important, this is a specialist area of law. Anyone considering this type of planning must first speak directly to somebody who is fully qualified to give advice.
Please see our factsheet for further information.
OPG process for registering LPAs, littered with delays and errors
6th May 2022
Once you have made an LPA appointing your attorney/s, for your attorney to use the… ...
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OPG process for registering LPAs, littered with delays and errors
6th May 2022
Once you have made an LPA appointing your attorney/s, for your attorney to use the document it must first be registered by the Office of Public Guardian (OPG)
Pre pandemic the registration process would take circa 8 weeks, it can now take 20 weeks and the process is littered with errors.
An industry body has recently written an open letter to the OPG asking them to address the problem. However, while we wait and hope that the issues are resolved, our advice to clients is – BE PREPARE and make an LPA now before it is needed. Without a registered LPA your attorneys simply will not be able to act.
Office Move
25th Aug 2021
As of the 1st September 2021, our main office will relocate to Sheffield. The decision… ...
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Office Move
25th Aug 2021
As of the 1st September 2021, our main office will relocate to Sheffield.
The decision for this has been based on opportunities given to us to further grow and develop our team. The management team has not changed and our ethos and commitment to providing a high level of service remains the same.
Although the main office has now relocated to Sheffield, we do still have representatives in York available to meet with our clients.
© Pavilion Row 2022. Pavilion Row is authorised and regulated by The Council for Licensed Conveyancers. It is registered under number 3354 under the provisions of the Legal Services Act 2007. Pavilion Row Limited is registered in England and Wales, Company No. 7211297 Registered Address, Renishaw Business Park, 40 Ravenshorn Way, Renishaw, Sheffield, S21 3WY. All Advisers are STEP qualified. Click to read our website Terms of Use. Click here for Complaints Procedure.