ICAS members in England in line for probate work
Scottish accountants' body pressing Executive for similar freedom north of border
Scottish-qualified chartered accountants working in England and Wales are set to be granted the right to offer probate services, which cover the handling of funds in the estates of the deceased.
A consultative panel chaired by Lord Justice Moore-Bick is recommending to the Ministry of Justice that the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland be granted its application under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 for approved body status for the provision of probate services.
ICAS expects to hear within the next two months whether the Ministry will accept the recommendation.
The professional body is currently pressing the Scottish Executive to allow a similar freedom in Scotland, which would require amending legislation. At present executry services, the equivalent of probate, can only be offered by solicitors or licensed executry practitioners.
ICAS chief executive Anton Colella said the organisation believed that offering probate services provided more choice for the public and that ICAS would be providing training to its members in England and Wales who wished to offer such services.
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