Wedlake Bell

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For better, for worse: a cautionary tale after Langley v Qin

According to the Law Commission, a predatory marriage is one where a person marries someone, often someone who is elderly or who lacks the mental capacity to marry, as a… Read more →

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Partner Ann Stanyer comments on probate delays and the impact on applicants for ‘The Times’

Partner Ann Stanyer’s comment piece has featured in The Brief, a section of The Times, today. In her comment she discusses the rise in costs and delays that probate applicants… Read more →

News

Probate delays: where do the problems lie?

Delays with obtaining a grant of probate in England and Wales have been well publicised in recent months. In an article in The Times on 2 May 2024, however, a… Read more →

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Partner Ann Stanyer writes for New Law Journal on lasting powers of attorney

In this article for New Law Journal, Partner Ann Stanyer writes on lasting powers of attorney (“LPAs“), giving tips on safeguards and protections to be included for the donor in… Read more →

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ANN STANYER ON YOU AND YOURS BBC RADIO – Million Dollar lover

Partner Ann Stanyer discussed elder financial abuse today on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme. Listen to the programme from 39:10 to hear Ann and learn what steps you… Read more →

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Ann Stanyer on You and Yours BBC Radio

Partner Ann Stanyer discussed LPAs on BBC Radio 4. Listen to the programme from 31:33 to hear Ann and learn about some important considerations with LPAs: Click here.

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Partner writes for Solicitors Journal: Combatting financial abuse of older and vulnerable clients

In this article for Solicitors Journal, Partner, Ann Stanyer examines growing awareness of financial abuse and what practitioners should know. To read the online article please click here.

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Wedlake Bell responds to Consultation on the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice

Wedlake Bell have submitted a response to the joint consultation on proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) Code of Practice from the Department of Health and… Read more →

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LPAs no longer require discretionary investment express provision

“For some time, investment managers have had real difficulties in managing the investments of clients where a power of attorney is in place. We are pleased to confirm that the… Read more →

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Modernising Lasting Powers of Attorney: why caution is needed

The Ministry of Justice (“MOJ“) recently issued a consultation on modernising Lasting Powers of Attorney (“LPAs“). The stated goals are to increase safeguards and improve the process of making and… Read more →

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Proposals to modernise LPAs and the risks in safeguarding

Partner Ann Stanyer has written an article addressing risks in safeguarding following the proposals to reform Lasting Powers of Attorney. This article was first published in Today’s Wills & Probate.… Read more →

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Ann Stanyer raises fraud flag with LPA consultation

Today’s Wills & Probate have published Ann Stanyer’s comments raising concerns about proposals to reform Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), specifically that the digitisation of the LPA process opens to… Read more →

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Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary

Daniel Craig has recently said during an interview that he would not let his two daughters inherit the estimated £116 million that Craig has earned from playing James Bond. Partner… Read more →

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OPG outline vision for reform of LPAs

Ann Stanyer has been quoted in Today’s Wills and Probate following the announcement of a consultation by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) on the use of Lasting Powers… Read more →

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Defending Wealth

To view this article, please click here. This article first appeared in Brewin Dolphin’s client magazine Perspective.

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THE BILLIONAIRE, HIS FAMILY, END OF LIFE PLANNING AND COVID-19

The Covid-19 lockdown and quarantine restrictions are causing real practical problems for those who have terminally ill family members. What can you do if you want to visit such a… Read more →

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Clashing Rights – Covid-19 vaccinations and the rights of care home residents

This article was first published by the Solicitors Journal on 25 February 2021: Solicitors Journal – Clashing Rights The Court of Protection has just heard the first case involving a… Read more →

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The Power of Decision-Making

We are all used to making decisions for ourselves – how to invest our assets, when to take money out of our bank accounts, when to call the doctor, who… Read more →

Legal Podcast

Episode 15: Health and Welfare LPAs

Ann Stanyer’s recent podcast about Health & Welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) highlights the importance of making these documents, and keeping them under review, especially during these challenging times.

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Private Client Team Awards and News

Awards Ranked in Tier I of eprivateclient’s Top Law Firms 2019   Private Client team shortlisted for STEP’s ‘Private Client Legal Team of the Year – mid size’ Camilla Wallace, Head… Read more →

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Practitioners should consider additional protective measures for Lasting Powers of Attorney in case problems arise – eprivateclient 04/04/2019

Ann Stanyer, writes an article for eprivateclient. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) reports each year with an update on their work in registering powers of attorney and in… Read more →

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How to spot financial abuse – STEP Journal (Vol27 Iss3) p57

Ann Stanyer highlights ‘red flags’ signalling potential financial abuse that all advisors should watch out for, wherever they are based. Financial abuse is on the rise. The England and Wales… Read more →

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In whose best interest? – New Law Journal 27/02/2019

The article was originally published by the New Law Journal on 27 February 2019. The duties of a deputy appointed by the Court of Protection are not to be taken… Read more →

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Instructions for a Will: The conflict of interest issue – eprivateclient 14/02/2019

The article was originally published by eprivateclient on 14/02/2019. It is not uncommon for clients who want to make or update their Will to come in to see their solicitor… Read more →

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The importance of making an independent Will

The article was originally published by Spear’s, on 24 January 2019. Being aware of the need for will instructions to be given freely and independently is key, writes Ann Stanyer… Read more →

Bulletins

Why make a will?

A Will is a legal document in which a person declares their intention as to what should happen to their assets after their death. You are not legally obliged to… Read more →

News

Is your LPA fit for purpose?

You may have a Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”) that appoints persons (“attorneys”) to look after your financial affairs and/or health and welfare at a time in the future when… Read more →

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Ann Stanyer and Jemma Goddard’s comments are published in Spear’s

The article was originally published by Spear’s on December 19, 2018. Legal action against Attorneys has skyrocketed Legal action against Attorneys has skyrocketed, and mostly people aren’t aware they’re doing… Read more →

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HNW Pitfalls to avoid: Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

The article was first published by Spear’s on November 10, 2018. As incidents of financial abuse against the are on the elderly increase, its important to look at rigid LPA’s,… Read more →

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Wedlake Bell responds to Consultation on Electronic Execution of Documents

The Law Commission published its consultation paper “Electronic Execution of Documents” (“the Consultation Paper“) on 21 August 2018. The objective behind the Consultation Paper was to consider whether there are… Read more →

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Ann Stanyer’s comments are published in eprivateclient

The UK Parliament debated a ten-minute rule Bill to legislate to ‘stop putting marriages before Wills’, following concerns that vulnerable elderly people are being exploited by later-life suitors who marry… Read more →

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Roadblocks to abuse

STEP Journal is the first publisher of the article: Ann Stanyer, ‘Roadblocks to abuse’, STEP Journal (Vol26 Iss8), p.61. It is the practitioner’s duty to ensure the elderly client is… Read more →

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​Ann Stanyer: Are electronic signatures safe for vulnerable clients?

Ann Stanyer’s article on the Law Commission’s consultation on the use of electronic signatures in legal documents has been published in Professional Adviser and its sister publication Retirement Planner. Ann examines… Read more →

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PROTECTION, PLANNING AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR THE VULNERABLE

Wedlake Bell is a central London law firm that has been servicing its clients for over 200 years. It has 61 partners and is one of the top 100 firms… Read more →

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The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) Review of Inheritance Tax (IHT) – Private Client analysis: Ann Stanyer

This article was first published on Lexis®PSL Private Client on 10 July 2018. Click for a free trial of Lexis®PSL. Private Client analysis: Ann Stanyer, partner at Wedlake Bell, highlights the key points of the Law Society’s response… Read more →

Bulletins

International powers of attorney

Clients often ask us as to whether their English Power of Attorney (either a Lasting Power of Attorney – an “LPA” – or its predecessor, an Enduring Power of Attorney… Read more →

News

Wedlake Bell’s Private Client team respond to government consultation on Inheritance Tax (IHT)

On 19 January 2018, the government requested that the Office of Tax Simplification (“OTS“) carry out a review of inheritance tax in order to identify simplification opportunities. The scoping document… Read more →

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“Financial Abuse of Older Clients” by Ann Stanyer reviewed by STEP journal

Financial Abuse of Older Clients written by Private Client Partner, Ann Stanyer, has been reviewed by STEP journal. (£) The review calls Ann’s publication “concise and accessible” going on to… Read more →

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“Tackling financial abuse of the elderly” – Ann Stanyer writes for The Law Society Gazette

We need tougher rules on lasting powers of attorney but the Ministry of Justice appears indifferent. It is clear from surveys and research carried out in other countries that financial… Read more →

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The Times Brief publishes Ann Stanyer’s opinion on financial abuse of the elderly

Partner in our Private Client team, Ann Stanyer, has had an opinion piece published by The Times Brief, in which she calls for a government inquiry into the rising cases… Read more →

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“Thousands of care home residents suffering financial abuse” – Ann Stanyer comments in Care Home Professional

Care Home Professional have given further coverage to Private Client partner, Ann Stanyer’s, recent Freedom of Information request to the Care Quality Commission. The FOIA found that in the four… Read more →

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“Wedlake Bell partner calls for government response to rise of elderly financial abuse in the UK” – eprivateclient writes

eprivateclient has published an article on the outcome of Private Client partner, Ann Stanyer’s, request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). On the… Read more →

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“Calls for inquiry over financial abuse of vulnerable care home residents as figures show 13,000 have been affected” – Ann Stanyer writes in Yahoo! News

Following her recent Freedom of Information request to the Care Quality Commission, Ann Stanyer has commented for Yahoo! News on the data, which reveals nearly 13,000 cases of potential financial… Read more →

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“13,000 in care homes are victims of scams” – Ann Stanyer provides commentary to The Daily Express

Private Client partner and author of “Financial Abuse of Older Clients“, Ann Stanyer, has commented on her recent Freedom of Information request to the Care Quality Commission in The Daily… Read more →

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“Care home elderly ‘targeted for their cash'” – Ann Stanyer comments for The Sunday Telegraph

Partner in our Private Client team and author of “Financial Abuse of Older Clients”, Ann Stanyer, commented on data from her recent Freedom of Information request to the Care Quality… Read more →

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Ann Stanyer delivered a webinar on financial abuse of the elderly for SFE

Partner in our Private Client team, Ann Stanyer, delivered a webinar for Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) (£) on financial abuse on 8 February 2018. Ann, who recently published a book… Read more →

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Inheritance tax to be reviewed

The Chancellor wrote to the Office of Tax Simplification (“OTS”) on 19 January 2018 to ask them to carry out a review of inheritance tax (“IHT”). A scoping document for… Read more →

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“Is my grandmother being defrauded?” – Ann Stanyer responds to a readers question in the Financial Times

Partner in our Private Client team, Ann Stanyer, has responded to a reader’s question on financial abuse of the elderly in the Financial Times. Ann, who authored a book entitled… Read more →

News

“What’s in store for tax and trusts in 2018?” – Partner, Ann Stanyer, comments in Spear’s Magazine

Private Client Partner, Ann Stanyer, has commented in Spear’s Magazine on the forthcoming Government consultation on the taxation of trusts, and why this and other compliance regimes could mean 2018 will… Read more →

Bulletins

Wills By Text Or Email, Anyone?

In July 2017, the Law Commission issued its long-awaited reform project on the law of Wills. The law largely derives from legislation passed in 1837 and there have long been… Read more →

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Private Client Partner, Ann Stanyer, comments on the Autumn 2017 Budget in eprivateclient

Following the release of the Chancellor’s ‘largely uncontroversial’ Autumn 2017 Budget, Private Client Partner, Ann Stanyer, has given her insight on the likelihood of reforms to the taxation of trusts to eprivateclient. She states,… Read more →

Bulletins

Making a Will

Consultation Response: Wedlake Bell LLP On 13 July 2017, the Law Commission launched a major consultation project on the law of Wills. The law in this area has not been… Read more →

Bulletins

THE POWERS THAT BE

A comparison of the protection against the threat of financial abuse given by LPA attorneys and Court of Protection deputies. ABSTRACT This article discusses what safeguards are in place to… Read more →

Bulletins

LPAs: Safeguarding the client or facilitating abuse by attorneys?

The increase in people registering LPAs is heartening, but there are concerns that some attorneys are taking advantage of the ease with which they can be prepared, warns Ann Stanyer.… Read more →

Bulletins

IN TRUST SUMMER 2017: ANN STANYER Q&A

Ann is a partner in the Private Client team and her practice covers a wide range of trust, probate and private wealth management work for both large, complex estates and… Read more →

Bulletins

Protecting Elderly Clients – Legal Developments

The last six months have seen some major developments in private client practice in respect of the elderly. This includes the Law Commission’s review of the deprivation of liberty safeguards… Read more →

Bulletins

Help protect elderly clients against hidden abuse

For every instance of financial abuse that comes to light, 24 cases are thought to go unreported so, says Ann Stanyer, professional advisers have a real gatekeeper role to play… Read more →

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“Financial Abuse of Older Clients” – Ann Stanyer has a new book published by Bloomsbury Professional

Partner in our Private Client team, Ann Stanyer, has published a book on financial abuse of the elderly. Financial Abuse of Older Clients: Law, Practice and Prevential was published by Bloomsbury… Read more →

Bulletins

How To Ensure “Heritage Assets” Don’t Become A Tax Curse

The idea of owning fabulous art works will appeal to many but what happens to descendants who might be faced with a large inheritance tax bill? In the UK, there… Read more →