Clinical Wills: An overview for Healthcare Practitioners
Ejike Ndaji, Partner in our Wills, Trusts and Probate Team provides an overview of Clinical Wills and their importance to Healthcare Practitioners.
Ejike Ndaji, Partner in our Wills, Trusts and Probate Team provides an overview of Clinical Wills and their importance to Healthcare Practitioners.
Although the term ‘Clinical Wills’ is widely known within the healthcare industry, the document and its purposes are less well known by the general public and even within the legal profession.
What are Clinical Wills?
A Clinical Will is a document that records the wishes of a professional practising within the healthcare industry that details how their practice should be dealt with in the event of their death or sudden illness.
Who needs a Clinical Will?
Practitioners within the following spheres require Clinical Wills:
· Private Counsellors and Psychotherapists
· Clinical and Counselling Psychologists
· CBT Therapists
· Coaches and other mental health professionals operating as sole practitioners
Importantly, the Regulators of professional standards including the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) expressly state that their members should have in place a Clinical Will.
Why is a Clinical Will necessary?
Clinical Wills are necessary for many reasons, such as:
· Peace of mind: Assurance that clients’ interests will be protected in the case of unexpected circumstances such as illness or death.
· Administrative ease: Assists the estate’s administrators with managing practical matters involving the running of the practice and eventual closure.
· Supporting clients: Provides assurance to clients by making the transition to an alternative practitioner easier.
· Ethical concerns: Protecting the welfare and confidentiality of clients as executors, usually another professional and/or trusted colleague, are appointed to manage client records safely.
· Business continuity: Provides instructions for closing down a practice, including informing agencies and relevant third parties, and managing administrative tasks.
· Regulatory and professional requirements: Enabling practitioners to meet ethical, compliance and insurance requirements.
Protecting your business and clients:
Although some Regulators provide proforma Clinical Wills templates, the involvement of a specialist solicitor will ensure that person-specific and tailored advice on the subject is provided. A specialist solicitor will also ensure that the Wills are legally robust, offer sufficient protection and legal assurance, and ensure that the Wills meet GDPR and data protection requirements, as well as align with the contents of one’s personal Will.
For professionals within the healthcare sector or advisers of healthcare practitioners who wish to discuss Clinical Wills and their benefits, please contact Leathes Prior via email at info@leathesprior.co.uk or call us on 01603 610911.
The case of the fake cases: another judgment on AI-hallucinations in litigation
The use of AI Large Language Models in litigation continues to generate headlines (and consternation from the judiciary). In 2025, it seemed that rarely a month went by without a new case on fake AI-generated case law. December was no exception, and the High Court has now issued a further warning regarding the use of AI by litigants.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
.jpg)
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
