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 :-
- to promote the business of Willwriting as a service to the
general public in a professional and competent manner.
- to provide professional services to its members, e.g. further
education and training and PII cover at a competitive rate;
- 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 :-
- completing an application form
- supplying two satisfactory references;
- supplying a satisfactory criminal records check
- passing the Institute's entrance examination or qualifying for
exemption*
- 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.
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