HMCTS brings in extra staff to deal with probate surge

The Law Society and other legal organisations spoke with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) last week with HMCTS confirming they have brought in extra staff due to an increase in probate applications, the Law Gazette reported.

HMCTS are currently processing around 4000-5000 applications a week but warned that the next few weeks may be volatile with an increase of applications expected due to Covid-19 deaths.  To combat this, the article said that HMCTS have hired new staff and retrained existing employees who previously dealt with court hearings to help with applications.

The article highlighted that the current wait time is around five to six weeks and HMCTS is encouraging solicitors to only contact them if necessary and to apply for probate online for a more efficient service.

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