Joanne Leetch

That's correct, Clare.

Yes, currently we are part of a pilot scheme for e-probate with the Probate Office.

So our firm, along with a number of other firms across the country, have been asked to partake in the pilot scheme.

So we've been involved the last couple of months with this scheme, trialling it, and it's fantastic.

Through this scheme, the applications that are being submitted, the grants are issuing in approximately two to three weeks.

So it's hoped that it will be rolled out nationwide over the coming months or so.

So it is completely overhaul the probate system as we know it.

OK, so you said two to three weeks compared to what?

So normally with the paper based application, the current regime, it's taken approximately 12 to 14 weeks overall.

for the grant of probate to issue once the papers are lodged with the probate office.

So you can see there's a huge difference in terms of the wait period.

So it's reducing it from 12 to 14 weeks down to 2 to 3 weeks, which is significant.

Currently, it's a paper-based application.

And where the issues are arising, it's with some of the paperwork that is being filed as part of the application.

So one of the documents that's filed with the original will with the probate office is called an oath for executor.

So basically, that's a sworn document by the executor stating their entitlement to extract the grant, etc.

However, that form can be prone to errors.

And it's because of that that there are queries being raised by the probate office in connection with that paper application.

And that is a lot of the reason why the applications are taking so long, because the papers are either being rejected or they're being queried, being sent back to the solicitor immediately.

amendments are required and they're re-launched again.