Your probate colleagues will tell you that they can match your high blood pressure. Delays in prizing grants out of the probate service are legion. What is not readily apparent is that HMCTS, which enjoys responsibility for the service, is obliged to entertain complaints about delays under the same scheme that applies to mess ups in the courts and tribunals. And that the scheme enables the payment of compensation where a complaint is upheld is not exactly shouted from the Petty France rooftops. Indeed, in the just updated guidance on complaints, the availability of compensation remains a secret but does provide a link to an online ‘thank you’ form. I come fresh from complaining to HMCTS about what transpired to be a period of 10.5 weeks during which my online application for probate as executor of my late aunt’s estate went to sleep.
I secured a £50 without prejudice goodwill payment on complaints manager review after the complaints investigator could
