New Panorama programme on unregulated will-writers airs on BBC One

The new programme, which aired on 9 August, uncovered an example of a will-writing firm which, it says, stole money left to a woman in Birmingham. For more information on the programme, visit the Panorama website.

The Private Client Section was not involved in the making of the programme, but has been supporting the Law Society's ongoing campaign for better regulation of will-writers, as well as providing comments on the Office of Fair Trading's recent approval of a voluntary will-writing code. The Law Society is also working to publicise the importance of using a solicitor rather than an unregulated provder, as part of its annual private client campaign, this year entitled 'Your Solicitor: Qualified to Answer'.

The Legal Services Board is also conducting an investigation into the regulation of this sector, and has just released the findings of its recent Consumer Board workshop.