Will writing and other unregulated legal services
The CMA launched a consumer enforcement investigation to protect consumers following complaints about providers offering will writing, online divorce, and pre-paid probate services.
Administrative timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 9 October 2024 | Final compliance guidance published |
| 30 April 2024 | Consultation launched |
| 24 July 2023 | Case opened |
Final compliance guidance for businesses and guides for consumers
9 October 2024: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its final compliance guidance for unregulated businesses that provide will writing, online divorce and pre-paid probate services in the UK. The purpose of the guidance is to help these businesses understand and comply with their existing obligations under consumer law. We have also written an open letter to them.
We have also published short guides to help consumers understand:
- what to consider when buying will writing services
- what to look out for when buying divorce services
Press release: CMA cautions will writing and legal service providers as new guidance launched (9.10.24)
Consultation on draft compliance guidance
9 October 2024: The CMA has published a document that summarises the main comments made in response to its consultation. The document also sets out our response to these comments and, where relevant, the changes we have made to our guidance.
- Response to consultation document (9.10.24)
30 April 2024: The CMA launched a consultation on draft consumer protection law compliance guidance for unregulated businesses providing will writing, online divorce, and pre-paid probate services in the UK. The consultation closed on 13 June 2024.
More information about our consultation and draft guidance can be found on the consultation page.
Case opening and call for information
17 January 2024: The CMA received a wide range of information from consumers, legal services providers and other interested stakeholders.
24 July 2023: The CMA launched a new investigation looking at potential consumer law breaches in will writing, online divorce provision, and pre-paid probate plans. We invited people to tell us about their experiences of buying these services and products, particularly from unregulated providers.
- Press release: CMA investigates will writing and other legal services (24.7.23)
Our initial research identified potential areas of concern including misleading advertising, unfair contract terms, pressure selling, lack of transparency on costs, and the suitability of products being sold. The project considered:
- consumer and industry concerns
- information from legal service providers about their practices
- the extent to which legal service providers are complying with consumer law
Contact
- Principal Case Officer, Harpreet Atwal, harpreet.atwal@cma.gov.uk
- Project Director, Cecilia Parker Aranha, cecilia.parkeraranha@cma.gov.uk
- Project Director, Gordon Ashworth, gordon.ashworth@cma.gov.uk
- Senior Responsible Officer, Hayley Fletcher, hayley.fletcher@cma.gov.uk
Send any media enquiries to our press office: press@cma.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Published 24 July 2023Last updated 9 October 2024 + show all updates
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Consumer protection law guidance for businesses, consumer guidance on what to consider when buying will writing services and divorce services, open letter to sector, and consultation response added to page.
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Consultation launched
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First published.