Can a will be witnessed remotely?

In the wake of Covid-19, more and more people are putting in place a written will, where the pandemic has served as a stark reminder of our own mortality and the importance of planning ahead. Furthermore, in a world where self-isolation and social distancing measures remain a normal part of every day life, having a last will and testament witnessed remotely is, at least for now, a legalised and accepted practice.

Under the Wills Act 1837, for a will to be valid it must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses present at the same time. The witnesses are also required to sign the document in the testator’s presence. However, these rather inflexible requirements were preventing those who had tested positive for coronavirus, or were otherwise required to self-isolate, from executing a valid will.

 As such, new legislation designed to combat these practical difficulties was rushed through Parliament by way of the Wills Act 1837 (Electronic Communications) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2020 SI 2020/952. This specifically amended the provisions under the 1837 Act relating to signing and attestation of wills, where the meaning of “presence” for the purposes of “being in the presence of two or more witnesses” or “in the presence of the testator” includes presence by means of videoconference or other visual transmission.

 The amended rules therefore allow a testator’s signature, as well as the witnesses’ signatures, to be witnessed via a live video link. This means that if the testator is required to self-isolate, or has been admitted into hospital where it is neither practical nor possible to have anyone attend in person to witness them signing their will, they can instead do this with their two witnesses present over Skype, FaceTime, Zoom or other video conferencing software.  Once the will has been signed by the testator it can then be posted to the witnesses, who sign it themselves in the presence of the testator, again over a live video link.

 The use of video-witnessed wills has undoubtedly come as a welcome development for many Covid-affected people looking for peace of mind that their last wishes can be validly recorded. Still, at the time of writing, this is only intended to be a temporary measure, applying to wills made between 31 January 2020 and 31 January 2022.

 The government has also advised that the use of video technology should only be used as a last resort. This is because the process of remote witnessing increases the possibility for fraud and abuse, where witnesses will simply be unable to tell if a third party is present, potentially coercing or forcing the testator to sign. The need to forward the signed will to the witnesses for their signatures also provides an opportunity for the will to be amended or substituted.

 Admittedly, the previous system was by no means perfect, although the temporary new law may now see a spike in cases of undue influence or fraud following the deaths of those who have signed their will in this way. It certainly seems to be the right time for a more permanent solution to be put in place, one which provides flexibility if needed, while continuing to protect the elderly and vulnerable from those seeking to exploit any procedural loophole.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

The decision-making process when vaccinating children against COVID-19

According to recent reports, children could soon be in-line to be vaccinated against COVID-19, with clinical trials already underway to test the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in younger age groups. Subject to being given the medical green light, the government is then likely to roll out an under-18’s vaccination programme within a matter of weeks. What then does this mean for the child(ren) of separated parents and where the decision-making lies within this process? 

For parents with a shared view on whether or not to have their child(ren) vaccinated, any potential dispute is likely to be limited to who runs them to their appointment or cares for them afterwards if they’re feeling unwell. If, on the other hand, parents have completely opposing views on vaccination against COVID-19, with one parent wanting to go ahead and the other strongly disagreeing, the matter may boil down to who has parental responsibility or, where both have parental responsibility, an order of the court.

Parental responsibility is a legal concept relating to the rights and responsibilities over a child. It is defined by section 3 of the Children Act 1989 as “all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child". Even though the statutory definition lacks detail, it clearly confers a legal status entitling the parent or holder to have a say in important decisions about a child’s upbringing. This includes, amongst other things, what medical treatment the child should receive.

 Not all parents are automatically entitled to parental responsibility. In circumstances where only one parent has parental responsibility but is in disagreement with the other parent over vaccination, the parent with responsibility has the deciding opinion. Here, the other parent would need to make an application to the court if they wanted to intervene.

Equally, in cases where both parents have parental responsibility for the child and agreement cannot be reached as to whether the child should receive the vaccine, the parents will need to make an application under section 8 of the 1989 Act for either of the following:

•   A Specific Issue Order: this determines a parenting issue that is in dispute in connection with any given aspect of parental responsibility for a child;

•   A Prohibited Steps Order: this prevents a person with parental responsibility from taking a step in relation to a child, for example, to stop a vaccination from being administered.

In these circumstances the court will make a decision on behalf of the parties based on what is considered in all the circumstances to be in the best interests of the child. That said, in the recent decision in M v H ( private law vaccination) [2020] EWFC 93 it was held that children should be vaccinated in-line with NHS vaccination schedules. 

That decision directly concerned the MMR vaccine. Still, the court did go on to say that it would be very difficult to foresee a situation in which a vaccination against COVID-19 approved for use in children would not be endorsed by the court as being in a child's best interests. As such, absent a well-evidenced contraindication specific to the child in question, it is possible that parents may find themselves being forced to submit their child(ren) for vaccination on order of the court.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Firm Expands Again!

Blackhurst Budd Solicitors have taken on an additional four members of staff in as many weeks as the firm continues to expand to keep pace with the Fylde Coast property market.

Kayleigh Green has joined as a conveyancing fee earner in the residential property team and David Dawson has joined the same department as a legal assistant. The firm’s new business team, which deals with new conveyancing enquiries and file opening, has been bolstered with the arrival of two new starters, Georgia Fleming and Sarah Grattan Webster.

According to Zoopla the average price for property in Blackpool stands at £135,871 as of May 2021. This is a rise of 1.43% since February 2021 and rise of 4.97% since 12 months ago.

Briony Haley, Director and Head of Property commented:

“The volume of conveyancing instructions we have received from clients across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast since the Stamp Duty holiday came into effect has been phenomenal. Given the large proportion of properties in the area that are beneath the standard stamp duty threshold, the rise in home movers cannot be solely attributed to the tax break though.

Many people have simply taken stock during lockdown and decided the time is to move on. Some people have been able to save additional funds and many people are looking for home working space.

We’re delighted to welcome our new starters throughout the department as they start their careers at Blackhurst Budd.”

Pictured L-R Georgia Fleming, David Dawson, Sarah Grattan Webster, Kayleigh Green.

The importance of putting in place a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

The importance of putting in place a Lasting Power of Attorney cannot be underestimated, especially during the ongoing pandemic with the risk of any one of us or our loved ones becoming critically ill. Indeed, this has been the recent plight of television host, Kate Garraway, who has endured a prolonged period of her husband being hospitalised from coronavirus.

 The fact that the distraught TV presenter has been unable to deal with any of the bills or bank accounts in her husband’s name has undoubtedly added to the enormous pressure that she has been under during this difficult time. In a recent interview, Kate Garraway admitted that many of the practical problems she had been forced to face over the past year could so easily have been prevented if she and her husband had given each other a Lasting Power of Attorney.

 A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document in which you can appoint someone to manage your property and financial affairs in the event that you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself, or even if you temporarily need assistance, for example, during a stay in hospital. It is a common assumption that a spouse or partner would be automatically entitled to handle such matters on one's behalf if the need ever arose, but this is simply not the case.

 An LPA can also be used where important decisions about your health and welfare need to be made, from your day-to-day care to having a say about life-sustaining medical intervention.

 For so many of us, the idea of becoming seriously ill or injured, such that we are no longer able to make our own decisions or manage our own affairs is beyond comprehension. Sadly, it can and does happen, not just through old age and infirmity but often as a result of unexpected illness or accident. We simply cannot predict what is round the corner.

 Absent an LPA, your loved ones would have to apply through the courts, for example, for the right to manage your finances, and even then their application may not necessarily be granted. When it comes to important decision-making about either your property and finances, or your health and welfare, an LPA will therefore significantly lessen the emotional and practical strain on relatives should you become incapacitated.

 By seeking legal advice on how to put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney, you can feel reassured that important matters, such as money or medical decisions, can be easily dealt with in the event of illness or accident. Needless to say, the best time to do this is while you are fit and healthy. This will allow you to make a rational and dispassionate decision about who best to appoint and what you would like them to deal with. It will also ensure that no questions can be raised over the validity of your decision-making and the document itself.

 Having registered a Lasting Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian well in advance of any critical situation, you can go on to live your life with the peace of mind that your future, and that of your family, has been properly safeguarded.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

No fault divorce is finally due to come into force

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 due to come into force this Autumn is set to revolutionise the way in which couples can dissolve their marriage with the long overdue introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales.

As the law currently stands, one spouse has to initiate the process of filing for divorce and, within that process, make accusations about the conduct of the other spouse — such as unreasonable behaviour, adultery or desertion — or otherwise face up to five years of separation before a divorce can be granted. Even where a couple has made a mutual decision to separate, and both parties agree to getting divorced, absent proof of one of the three prescribed fault-based reasons as set out under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the couple must still be separated for a period of two years before the marriage can be legally dissolved.

However, under the proposed new system, couples looking to move on with their lives more quickly will no longer need to become embroiled in a blame game following the breakdown of their marriage. Specifically, the new Act is set to replace the existing requirement by one party to evidence either poor conduct or a prolonged period of separation with a non-fault process. Instead, either or both parties can apply for a divorce by simply filing a statement that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. That statement will then be treated by the court as conclusive evidence that the marriage has indeed broken down and an order must be made.

Crucially, a minimum timeframe of 6 months from the initial application stage to the granting of a final order will also be created under the Act. This will give couples the time to reflect and reconsider, or where reconciliation is not possible, the opportunity to agree important arrangements for the future, such as how best to look after their children.

The proposed new Act is not designed to undermine the institution of marriage, hence the mandatory period of reflection, rather the rationale behind these reforms is that where divorce is inevitable, the law should not exacerbate conflict or harm a child’s upbringing. The provisions are intended to stop separating couples having to make unnecessary allegations against one another, and instead help them concentrate on resolving their issues amicably. By sparing couples the need to play the “blame game”, these changes will remove the antagonism that this creates so families can better move on with their lives.

Starting a divorce can be a very stressful time for all those involved, where the additional stress of having to attribute blame does not assist the situation, especially if the parties are doing their best to avoid any acrimony for the sake of their children. In some cases, the need to blame one another can often act as a catalyst for further fallout over care and access arrangements, as well as financial arrangements. The shift in the system from fault-based to no-fault divorce will finally mean that parties can, at the very least, deal with the dissolution of their marriage in a constructive and non-confrontational way.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

The digital dilemma of leaving online assets in your Will

When writing a Will, consideration must not only be given to any physical assets that you would want your loved ones to benefit from after you’re gone, but also any digital assets. This could include, for example, bitcoins or other forms of e-currency that you may have stored in virtual wallets. It could also include any unclaimed balance in your Paypal account from eBay sales or other selling platforms, or winnings in an online lottery or betting account.

Needless to say, the importance of leaving your executors a trail of breadcrumbs to enable them to access any password protected online investments or accounts, cannot be underestimated. In most cases, given the highly encrypted nature of virtual wallets or other types of digital assets, any failure to leave clear instructions will leave your loved ones locked out of your online fortune forever.  In some cases, your executors may not even be aware of the existence of any digital assets, let alone have the right information to access these.

It’s therefore vital that you record within your Will or other document the nature of any digital assets that form part of your estate. It’s also important that you provide clear instructions as to where your digital assets are stored, for example, on either a USB or other portable storage device, or on some form of cloud type service, as well as how these can be accessed.

That said, care must be taken so as not to compromise your online security, either during your lifetime or at any point prior to your executors being able to realise your digital assets. In particular, it’s worth noting that upon application for the grant of probate, your Last Will and Testament becomes a public document that anyone can apply to see. This means that important location and access information contained directly within your Will would severely compromise the security of any online investments or accounts.

Clearly, therefore, there’s a fine line between providing a sufficient trail of breadcrumbs for your executors to identify and access any digital assets, and protecting those assets from hackers or untrustworthy hands. Still, this ‘digital dilemma’ should not prevent you from gifting these assets to your loved ones, provided you take appropriate measures to ensure any important information is not contained within the Will itself — but preferably within a securely stored and password protected separate document — and that any usernames and passwords are only accessible by those you trust implicitly.

By seeking expert advice to ensure your digital assets remain secure during your lifetime but accessible upon death, you can feel confident that your loved ones will benefit fully from your digital endeavours after you’re gone — without the worry of losing your online fortune, however big or small, to fraudsters, or inadvertently locking those assets away for good.

Your legal advisor can help you to find a suitable way of effectively documenting your digital assets within your Will and other related documentation, in this way providing your executors with the instructions they will need when you’re no longer around.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Cohabitation agreements: the key to a successful partnership

Cohabitation agreements can be the key to a successful partnership, providing clarity for couples as to how their living arrangements will work on a financial basis. They can also  provide greater certainty as to what will happen to any assets if the relationship fails or one partner dies. Below we answer some frequently asked questions about these types of agreements, from what they can include to how they can safeguard the rights of both parties.

What is a cohabitation agreement?

A cohabitation agreement is a written agreement between two people who have agreed to live together as a couple. This is used to record the financial arrangements between the couple during the period of cohabitation, including their rights and responsibilities in relation to the property in which they reside, or will soon reside, as well as their respective interests in any real or personal property in the event of either separation or death.

This will commonly include the financial rights and liabilities of each partner in relation to their home, whether this be owned outright, mortgaged or rented. It can also include provision in respect of individually or jointly owned assets, such as furniture and vehicles, which may be used by both parties during their period of cohabitation, but to be retained by just one partner if the couple separate, or to form part of one partner’s estate on death.

What are the benefits of a cohabitation agreement?

The rights of a cohabiting couple, regardless of how long they have lived together, differ significantly to those of the married couple, especially on the breakdown of a relationship or when one person dies leaving a surviving partner behind. As such, by documenting the rights and responsibilities of each party within a cohabitation agreement, and determining in advance their respective legal and beneficial interests in any assets, this can help to avoid any disagreements, or even costly litigation, if they go their separate ways or one person dies.

These type of agreements are a way of clearly recording the couple’s intentions about ownership of their property when they decide to live together, as well as the division of assets on either separation or death, providing the couple with the flexibility and freedom to organise their financial affairs as they wish both during and following cohabitation.

What are the drawbacks of a cohabitation agreement?

Cohabitation agreements can be complex documents, including various detailed and carefully worded provisions. To be enforceable, these agreements must be adequately drafted, and signed and witnessed, to help avoid any claims of fraud, duress or illegality. This will usually involve a cost to the parties. The cohabiting couple should also each consider making a will, in conjunction with any cohabitation agreement, to ensure that any individual or jointly owned assets are distributed in accordance with their wishes after they die.

Still, the benefits of putting in place a well-drafted cohabitation agreement, together with a last will and testament, especially in minimising the risk of any future litigation, will often outweigh any initial outlay. In this way, couples can provide each other with peace of mind that suitable provision has been made for every eventuality.

When can a cohabitation agreement be drawn up?

There is no hard and fast rule as to when two people should enter into a cohabitation agreement. An agreement can be put in place either prior to a couple living together or, alternatively, to regularise their financial arrangements at any time after they have moved in.

That said, if you are planning to buy a property together or take out a tenancy on a joint basis, it is advisable to have a cohabitation agreement in place prior to completion or signing, clearly recording your intentions from the outset. It is also best to seek expert legal advice on the provisions of any agreement, ensuring you cover all aspects of your finances and your future.

Legal disclaimer 

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

The court’s approach to maintenance pending suit applications

Applications for maintenance pending suit are designed to bridge the gap between the application being issued and a final order being made, providing financial relief for the applicant and any children in the interim. In the recent case of Rattan v Kuwad [2021] EWCA Civ 1, the Court of Appeal revisited the issue of how these applications should be dealt with, including whether a critical analysis of the applicant’s needs is always required.

On the facts of the case, the wife appealed an order made by HHJ Oliver in which he allowed the husband’s appeal from a maintenance pending suit order of £2,850 per month made by DDJ Morris. The Judge had set aside the order principally on the basis that the DDJ had not undertaken any critical analysis of the wife’s immediate expenditure needs.

In allowing the wife’s appeal, Lord Justice Moylan referred to the broad statutory power given to the court under section 22 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 to make an order for maintenance pending suit. This provides the court with the ability to make such order as is considered “reasonable” in meeting the immediate financial needs of the spouse and children at an early stage in proceedings when the full evidential picture might be far from certain.

LJ Moylan made it clear that not all budgets require critical analysis, where the extent to which a budget or any other relevant factors require careful analysis will depend on the facts of the case. In Rattan v Kuwad, the wife’s budget was said to be a straightforward list of income needs which were easily appraised and did not require any extensive analysis. It was the type of budget which could be determined justly with a broad assessment of the relevant factors.

On this basis, the Court of Appeal held that the DDJ had undertaken a sufficient analysis of the relevant financial factors and had reached a fair conclusion as to what level of maintenance for the applicant would be reasonable pending the final financial remedy hearing.

Accordingly, the court is only required to undertake such evidential analysis as is sufficient to be satisfied that the award made is “reasonable”. In some instances, this might require a detailed examination of the applicant’s budget, while in others, it will be more than apparent whether the listed items represent a fair guide to the applicant’s income needs.

Indeed, there may well be cases, especially those involving exceptional wealth, where a more critical analysis is necessary in determining what is reasonable. That said, the budgets of the ultra-rich are very often far removed from the list of income needs provided by applicants in the majority of cases. As such, in most maintenance pending suit applications, the court is likely to take a broad view of means on the one hand, and income on the other, and come to a rough and ready conclusion in dealing with the applicant’s short-term cash flow problems.

Still, it is important to remember that the particular circumstances of a case will typically determine the issues on which the court will need to focus and the degree of scrutiny required. The courts' approach, therefore, should always be tailored to the facts of the case.

 Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

Protecting your business - the importance of having a Will

As a business owner whose energies are undoubtedly invested in the here and now, not least in trying to survive the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19, it is just as important for you to consider what would happen to your business should something happen to you.

The prospect of us dying is a sobering thought. Still, by putting in place suitable measures to ensure that your business can continue in your absence, or that adequate financial provision can be made for those you leave behind, you can provide yourself and your loved ones with much-needed peace of mind. By planning ahead for all eventualities, you will also instil confidence in those you work with and those that work for you.

The starting point for any astute business owner, whether as part of a wider succession planning strategy for a partnership or limited company, or simply to ensure the financial security of your family after you die, is ensuring that you have a valid Will in place.

In England and Wales, if a person dies without making a Will, the rules of intestacy come into play. These restrict the beneficiaries of the deceased’s estate to specified classes of relatives, in a set order of priority, but making no automatic provision for unmarried partners. As such, there is potential for this to have unwelcome ramifications in relation to the distribution of both the deceased’s personal and commercial assets, in some cases solely benefitting estranged family members. It can also create problems for any surviving business, often adding an extra layer of confusion, delay and uncertainty to an already difficult process.

Where a person dies intestate, the task of handling their affairs usually falls to the deceased’s next of kin. However, in most cases, the next of kin will still need to apply for a ‘Grant of Letters of Administration’. This is the official document issued by the Probate Registry providing the personal representative(s) with the authority to administer the deceased’s estate. If the deceased’s affairs are especially complex and high value, involving the payment of inheritance tax, this could take weeks or even months to obtain.

Additional delay can also arise where a search needs to be undertaken to clarify whether a Will has been made or in verifying who is a valid member of the class of beneficiaries entitled to apply to the court for the Grant of Representation. This could be, for example, where the deceased has no surviving spouse, children or parents, or where their relatives are not known.

If you add into this mix the absence of adequate succession planning provisions within any partnership agreement or the company’s Articles of Association, post-death business problems can quickly escalate. This issue was recently highlighted in the case of Williams & Ors v Russell Price Farm Services Ltd [2020] EWHC 1088 (Ch).

On its facts, the late Russell Price was the sole director and shareholder of a contract farming company. However, there was no provision in the Articles for the executors to appoint a new director in the event of his death, leaving the executors of his estate without the authority to do so themselves prior to the Grant of Probate. This left the company in a precarious position as there was no-one to pay the company’s creditors to enable it to trade. As a result, the executors were forced to make an urgent application to the High Court requesting that they be entered into the company’s register of members so that they could appoint a director.

Yet, with prior planning, these problems could have so easily been avoided for the relatives and personal representatives of Mr Price. By putting in place a written Will, together with any suitable succession planning measures, you can help to safeguard both the financial interests of your loved ones and the future of your business you have worked so hard to build.

Legal disclaimer

The matters contained herein are intended to be for general information purposes only. This blog does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law in England and Wales and should not be treated as such.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its’ accuracy, and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should always be sought.

New Vacancy: Legal Compliance & Conveyancing Assistant / Receptionist

Job Title: Legal Compliance & Conveyancing Assistant / Receptionist

Department: Conveyancing & Compliance / Reception

Reports to: Head of Conveyancing / Practice Administrator

Hours of work: Full time – 36 ¼  hours per week

(8:45am to 5pm Monday to Friday with a one hour unpaid lunch break)

Main duties

Conveyancing duties – New Business Team

• Providing quotations to Clients

• File opening

• Ordering searches

• Assisting with pre-contract enquiries

• Assisting with preparing contract documents

• Preparing files for completion

• Registration of title at HM Land Registry

• Assisting with the monitoring of compliance procedures within the Department

Legal Compliance duties

• The monitoring of legal compliance procedures across the firm, to include :-

  • Client File Reviews

  • Client Matter Listings

  • File opening / parameter checking

  • Client Feedback

• The production of regular reports on all of the above for analysis by the management team, using a risk management system.

• Assist with Credit Control procedures.

Reception duties

• Deal with telephone calls and visitors to the firm, ensure the effective use of the Outlook diary system in line with office procedures, deal with incoming faxes and emails, and provide statistics as required for marketing and business development purposes.

General administrative duties

• Deal with all DX/Royal Mail post.

• Retrieve and archive Client files, deeds and wills.

• Order stationery.

• Secretarial duties as and when required.

Required skills and experience

• Prior experience of working in a legal environment preferable.

• Experience of working in a busy reception environment preferable.

• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office - Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint.

• Must be well organised and methodical with excellent attention to detail and prioritisation skills.

• Must be able to work under pressure.

• Positive, helpful and enthusiastic.

• A team player, able to work on own initiative but also as part of the team.

• Commitment to the continuous improvement of the practice.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to Anna-Clare Mumby acm@blackhurstbudd.co.uk