The Government Legal Department has confirmed that the Bona Vacantia list has been reinstated following a review of its publication. The list was withdrawn in July 2025 due to allegations of fraud and misuse within the probate system. The Government Legal Department said that they found no evidence that the list had been the source of fraud. However, the Bona Vacantia Division has decided to restrict the data provided to protect the list’s integrity, while still providing information for people to identify a family member.
Changes to Bona Vacantia
The BV has decided to reduce the amount of information published on the unclaimed estate list. The list will only display the following information:
- The deceased name
- Date of death
- Area where they died
- BVD case reference number
The Bona Vacantia list contains information to assist people to identify estates which may have an entitlement. The information has been reduced which may make handling claims a little more challenging.
Why the Bona Vacantia list is important
Figures from the Bona Vacantia Department show a net income of £67 million from unclaimed estates in 2024-25. The scale of this sum reflects how often people leave no documented final wishes and how easily estates fall into intestacy. For companies specialising in tracing heirs and beneficiaries, it’s important to have access to the Bona Vacantia list so we can engage early and help prevent estates from passing to the Crown. As well as the opportunity to connect with potential beneficiaries and expand our services to the public sector to support inheritance matters.
The impact of the Bona Vacantia being removed
The Bona Vacantia list was removed for over 6 months. During this time, some estates may have passed the 30-year threshold, meaning they would have now passed to the crown. However, with the list now reinstated we can work on unclaimed estates and ensure people can receive their rightful inheritance. Other newer intestacy cases may be lying dormant while they could have been claimed by rightful heirs. Thankfully now we can continue to assist the public with unclaimed estates.
Final thoughts
Even though the list’s information has been reduced, this has not prevented Blanchards from investigating the unclaimed estate list. The restricted data shows there are still concerns that remain within Bona Vacantia. However, we are relieved that the list has returned.
