Friday July 04 2008

Who We Are

BACKGROUND

The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) was formed in 1991 and has become established as the recognised professional body regulating and promoting the profession of Willwriting.

Entry to membership is by examination and members are required to comply with a Code of Practice and a Constitution.  All members participate in a scheme of Continuing Professional Development in order to maintain their skills and knowledge of legal developments.  For the protection of their clients, the work of IPW members is covered by Professional Indemnity insurance to a minimum of £2million for each Will written.

STRUCTURE

The Institute is managed by an elected Council of six members. The central administration office is at Halesowen in the West Midlands.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Institute are set out in full in the Constitution and Code of Practice but to precis the objects they are as follows :-

1. to promote the business of Willwriting as a service to the general public in a professional and competent manner.
2. to provide professional services to its members, e.g. further education and training and PII cover at a competitive rate;
3. to promote the services of IPW members to the general public via the media and to generally promote Will writing as an ethical profession.

One of its further aims is to obtain formal regulation of Willwriting by legislation for the protection of the general public and to help give the IPW's members wider recognition and credibility generally by way of proactive publicity.

LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP

The levels of Membership of the Institute are Full Member, Associate Member, Student Member and Retired Member.

Full Member

Full membership is achieved by meeting the Institute's criteria as follows :-

1. completing an application form
2. supplying two satisfactory references;
3. supplying a satisfactory criminal records check
4. passing the Institute's entrance examination or qualifying for exemption^*
5. Subscribing to the Institute's own, or another approved, scheme of Professional Indemnity Insurance

* To qualify for exemption you must be either a qualified Solicitor who has had proven, practical experience in Willwriting or have relevant passes in examinations for Will writing through ILEX or the Institute of Bankers or have other qualifications in Will writing to a standard acceptable to the Institute.

Student Member

Student Membership is available to individuals who have not yet met the criteria for Full Membership but who are studying for the IPW examination.  Student members are not required to arrange Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Associate Member

Associate membership is available to "instruction takers" who are taking instructions on behalf of a Full Member of the Institute. This level of membership is only available to those in qualifying employment, i.e. if he/she ceases to work for or be contracted to a Corporate Member of the Institute their Associate membership lapses.

Professional Indemnity Insurance cover is through the employer's membership. After completing the Associateship Course and working in the profession, Associate Members may decide to proceed to become Full Members by taking the Membership examination.

Retired Member

A further level of membership is available to Full Members who no longer practice as Willwriters, but wish to continue Professional Indemnity Insurance cover for the Wills that they have written.

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP ARE AS SET OUT IN THE INSTITUTE'S CONSTITUTION and CODE OF PRACTICE.