Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Client definition

What does Client mean? In legal practice, a client is the person or organisation for whom a lawyer or law firm acts and to whom professional duties are owed. This includes individuals, companies, partnerships and public bodies, whether instructing directly or through an agent. The term is a general professional expression rather than a statutory definition; its scope is shaped by engagement terms (the retainer) and by professional conduct rules and case law on duties of care, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and legal professional privilege. Key features include: identifying the correct client at the outset (especially for corporate clients, where the client is the entity,...

Immediate post-death actions for personal representatives: registration, locating the Will, funeral, securing assets, notifications (Tell Us Once), and preparing for probate and IHT—client guide

Published by a LexisNexis Private Client expert

Precedents

This note sets out clear, broad guidance on what to do straight after a death and outlines the standard Probate process for lay Personal representatives and grieving close relatives. See the Probate—Client guide as well. A probate practitioner can offer bespoke advice suited to your particular situation and circumstances.

Coping with a loved one’s death brings numerous difficulties, emotional as well as practical. If you are a personal representative (PR) formally handling the estate—the assets and belongings of the person who has died—as an executor or administrator, you may encounter an unfamiliar role with jargon that feels odd and confusing. In the days after a death, various practical matters can arise, sometimes unexpectedly and at short notice. This guidance is designed to help you decide what requires prompt attention and what can sensibly wait for the coming weeks.

Taking time off work

Following the death of a dependant, you may take unpaid time away from work to organise and attend the funeral. You should tell your employer at the earliest opportunity, and any time taken must be ‘reasonable’ in length...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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