A solicitor retained only to substitute beneficiaries in an existing professionally-drafted will is not necessarily required to verify the testator's ownership of the properties disposed of, absent circumstances alerting the solicitor to a potential problem. The scope of the duty of care is informed by the retainer and the surrounding circumstances, including whether the existing will was professionally drafted and whether the dispositions were consistent with the testator's ownership.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 5 later cases that cite this judgment.
1 of the 5 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.