This practice note is relevant to any solicitor involved in the administration of estates.
Solicitors often experience difficulty and delay during the estate administration process in relation to assets held by banks and building societies.
This practice note contains protocols that set out procedures agreed with banks and building societies to clarify and speed up the estate administration process. This is a joint initiative with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the British Bankers' Association (BBA).
The following protocols have been agreed. The uniform protocol covers all major banks (including Lloyds and HSBC). A separate protocol for Nationwide is provided below.
Uniform estate administration banking protocol (PDF 168kb)
Nationwide protocol - 20 August 2009 (PDF 36kb)
Note that these do not address professional conduct or legal requirements.
Further help
Practice Advice Service
The Practice Advice Service is a dedicated support line for members of the Law Society, which is able to help solicitors with a wide range of practice and procedure issues. The service is staffed by experienced solicitors with access to a wide range of information sources. The Practice Advice Service can be contacted on 0870 606 2522 from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays.
More information on the Practice Advice Service.
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors in England and Wales. It makes and enforces the SRA Code of Conduct 2011.