A North East solicitor working in isolation from his home in Whickham has reported an increase in the amount of wills being made and has pledged to help charities helping our doctors and nurses raise much needed funds.
PMR Solicitors normally based at Blackpool Airport’s Enterprise Zone site specialise in financial mis- selling and medical claims, dispute resolution and mediation but since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people making or updating their wills.
Directors, Peter Maughan, Ian Gillings, David Smith and James Grundill are all working in isolation at their respective homes in Newcastle, the Isle of Man, Preston and Rishton and all have pledged to donate funds to the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund and The Cavell Nurses Trust charities whenever a new will is made.
“The pandemic has made people sit up and think about ‘what if” scenarios and how their loved ones would be looked after their passing. It’s really heart-wrenching to hear their stories and anxiety’s but being pragmatic, they are doing the sensible thing,” said Peter Maughan.
The firm are also having to work differently with their will clients due to the current social distancing restrictions.
“We are seeking guidance from our professional bodies and the Ministry of Justice relating to issues like witnessing a will as currently it must be signed by two witnesses present at the same time. As these witnesses are usually detached from the family, it does not adhere to the current rules but we are working hard to clarify and ensure that our clients are protected and acting within the law.”
PMR Solicitors was set up by qualified Chartered Accountant and Chairman Ian Gillings. The directors’ team includes Tyneside solicitor Peter Maughan, whose medical negligence expertise spans 40 years and the settlement of several multi-million-pound claims and Rishton based GDPR legal expert James Grundill. David Smith is a litigator and a Higher Court advocate.
“We don’t want people to panic about their wills. Even though we are working remotely from home, we are here to help and guide. We’d advise people to think carefully about what they want before rushing into giving instructions that may have consequences for their loved ones,” said Peter
“We also recognise the fantastic work that the NHS are doing to help us all at the moment so we’re donating funds to charities that look after our doctors and nurses and asking our clients to consider leaving a legacy to them too. The NHS are out there protecting us and we want to protect our clients and their families in a different way too.”
For further information, call PMR Solicitors on 0800 774 7742 or email admin@pmrsolicitors.co.uk