Estate administration with banks

In force from 18 January 2008

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.

This practice note contains protocols that set out procedures agreed with banks to clarify and speed up the estate administration process. This is a joint initiative with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

These are the first in a series of agreements with the major banks, aimed at helping the profession negotiate the different administrative procedures of each bank, where the bank holds assets and the practitioner is seeking to wind-up an estate.

The following protocols have already been agreed. The Law Society is working on further protocols with other banks.

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.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/practiceadvice

Solicitors Regulation Authority

The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors in England and Wales. It makes and enforces the Solicitors' Code of Conduct.
www.sra.org.uk

Legal Complaints Service

The Legal Complaints Service investigates inadequate professional service complaints about solicitors in England and Wales.
www.legalcomplaints.org.uk