HMCTS update: probate service user group & scanning issues

The Law Society have been informed about differing performance levels with some grants taking eight weeks to issue while others can be approved in shorter time frames, making it very difficult to predict and provide realistic timescales to clients.

In the latest management information (MI), the May figures for probate service performance show the total applications received was 22,791 while the number of grants issued was 25,096.

From submission to grant issued:
• digital applications took 13.5 weeks when stopped and 4.1 weeks without stops
• paper applications took 22.8 weeks when stopped and 8.9 weeks without stops

HMCTS appreciates more action is needed for paper applications. While these are more complex, HMCTS accepts there is no reason for the long waits, which are now creating demand in terms of phone calls. HMCTS confirmed:
• most paper applications are dealt with at probate registries
• more staff are being trained and deployed to bring down both the stopped and the new applications, including upskilling Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) staff around the more in-depth intestacy and ‘Admon with Will’ type queries

A full update can be found here.

For any queries, email hmctscourtreform@lawsociety.org.uk

 

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.