Will-writers granted alternative business structure status

Published: 01/06/2012

Parchment Wills and Legal Services has become the latest company to be granted an alternative business structure licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The Buckinghamshire-based company has been granted to right to conduct all reserved legal activities except notarial work.

As a founding member of the Institute of Professional Will-writers, the ABS has confirmed its ambitions to regulate Will-writing once it becomes a reserved legal activity.

After conducting a series of mystery shopping exercises which uncovered a significant number of Will writing errors, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed its plans to regulate Will writing.

Currently anyone can market themselves as a Will writer without need for qualifications or professional indemnity, leaving the customers of these unregulated services, and more importantly the loved ones they are endeavouring to protect, vulnerable. Solicitors and respective alternative business structures, however, are regulated and their professional indemnity insurance protects clients should a mistake occur.

Parchment Wills and Legal Services is headed up Senior Partner and Head of Finance and Administration, Valerie Shiman and Solicitor and Head of Legal Practice, Helen Whiteley.

Content correct at time of publication