Penn Chambers’ Discretionary Dispatch
- Penn Chambers
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Summer 2025 Edition
Welcome to the latest edition of Penn Chambers’ Discretionary Dispatch, our carefully curated newsletter bringing you insightful updates, practical advice, and key news from Penn Chambers Solicitors and across the Penn Group.
We remain committed to adding real value to your experience with us – not just in Family Law, Wills, and Probate, but across all areas where you may need trusted, expert guidance.
In this edition, we’re excited to introduce a brilliant new addition to our team (scroll down if you’re curious!) and share some long overdue legal updates - nearly 188 years in the making, good news from the world of Probate, and a remarkable run of success for our Family Law team.
As always, we welcome your thoughts, feedback, or topic suggestions.
Please feel free to get in touch with me directly: Shak Inayat, Solicitor and Mortgage Broker or shak.inayat@pennchambers.co.uk
We would love to hear from you.
The Big Announcement from Penn Chambers: Welcome to the Team, Emma Lee
We are delighted to welcome Emma Lee, a key addition to the Penn Chambers team.
Emma Lee brings with her a wealth of experience in civil litigation, dispute resolution, and complex multi-party matters, expanding our ability to support clients who need clear, strategic advice in challenging situations like debt litigation matters, employment issues and so much more.
Emma’s arrival strengthens our ability to deliver a fully rounded service, whether you are planning for the future, protecting your assets, or facing an immediate legal issue. Her experience and specialist expertise complement our existing offering and bring fresh perspectives to the team and the Group. This broad and deep expertise makes Emma the ideal leader to shape and grow our Dispute Resolution Department.
Learn more and find out how Emma can help you: https://www.pennchambers.co.uk/blog
Probate: Times Are Changing. Literally.
The UK Probate Service has been under pressure for years, but we are finally seeing signs of real improvement.
Current guidance suggests you’ll usually receive the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration within 12 weeks of submitting your application.
If additional information is required or copies are needed for use outside the UK, it may take a little longer.
We are pleased to report that this week, we secured a Grant in record time (!) - just a matter of days! It’s a welcome indication that the system is moving faster and more efficiently for families navigating the probate process.
Please, if you or someone you know needs help applying for probate or managing an estate, please get in touch with Emma Aslett via emma.aslett@pennchambers.co.uk
A Legal Update: Change After 188 Years
The Law Commission has proposed a long-overdue modernisation of the 1837 Wills Act.
Yes, that’s 188 years in the making!
Some of the proposed reforms include:
Electronic wills to reflect the way we live today
Lowering the minimum age for making a will from 18 to 16
Removing the automatic revocation of wills upon marriage or civil partnership
Updating mental capacity tests to reflect modern standards
Stronger protections against undue influence
These changes aim to make will writing more accessible, more secure, and more relevant to modern life. We’ll keep you posted as these proposals develop. Keep an eye on our website for more information on this topic: www.pennchambers.co.uk
Family Law: Record-Breaking Success
Over the past eight weeks, our Family Law team has been at their busiest, managing a record number of hearings.
Even more exciting – the team achieved the “impossible” not once, but on three separate occasions. The dedication, preparation, and sheer teamwork made all the difference, and we couldn’t be more proud of the results we achieved for our clients. This is where the next chapter begins for them, and we remain in their corner as they start to heal and move forward.
We know how hard it is to go through that kind of life’s big, messy, exhausting transitions. Divorce and/or facing challenges with child arrangements ae extremely hard and emotional, and we would like more people struggling alone to know that it all starts with a first meeting, and sometimes that is all that is needed to start a journey to peace of mind and a better future.
Contact our Family Law team for more information and to book your meeting with an expert Family Law specialist: https://www.pennchambers.co.uk/family-law
Group News: Planning Ahead & Cybercrime
Penn Financial: Unlocking Opportunities with Equity Release
Did you know that Equity Release isn’t just for later-life planning? More families are now using equity release as a strategic tool to fund things such as private school fees and support their children or grandchildren’s education, and even business development.
Planning ahead is key. By releasing some of the value tied up in your home, you can spread the cost of education over time and reduce financial pressure on your day-to-day income.
Our specialist advisers at Penn Financial are fully authorised for Equity Release and Islamic Mortgages and can help you explore whether this could be the right solution for you or your family.
Equity release is indeed a complex financial product and has to be carefully considered.
If you would like to find out more about how Equity Release can help you achieve long-term goals, including intergenerational financial planning, school fees, or even property purchases for your children, please get in touch with us at hello@pennfinancial.co.uk or explore our website: www.pennfinancial.co.uk
It is all about making smart financial decisions now to ease life later.
Penn Tech: Keeping You and Your Business Safe Online
Cybercrime is on the rise, and small businesses are increasingly being targeted just like individuals. At Penn Tech, our mission is simple: to help you stay safe, secure, and digitally confident.
If you have a business, Penn Tech and Nick Abbott are able to help you with:
Cybersecurity health checks
Secure cloud solutions
Practical advice to protect your business, your data, and your clients
Technology should make life easier, not more stressful. Whether you’re looking to modernise your systems, safeguard your sensitive information, or simply want peace of mind, Penn Tech is here to help.
Let’s keep your business moving forward – securely. Learn more & contact us: www.penntech.co.uk
Stay Connected
At Penn Chambers Solicitors, we provide bespoke legal services with personal care and absolute discretion, we call it the “Penn Approach”. We take the time to understand your needs and offer clear, practical advice you can trust.
For out-of-hours appointments, please contact us:
0800 073 73 76
Your Feedback Matters
This is your newsletter, and we want to make it as useful and engaging as possible. Please feel free to share your thoughts or suggestions by contacting me directly at shak.inayat@pennchambers.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute professional advice and you should take full and comprehensive legal, accountancy or financial advice as appropriate on your individual circumstances by a fully qualified Solicitor, Accountant or Financial Advisor/Mortgage Broker before you embark on any course of action.
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