“Are they a member?”

3rd May 2019Anthony Belcher16
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For the team here at head office not a day goes by where somebody doesn’t call us to find a member whose services they can use, or to check if someone they’re considering using is a member. Whether they’re looking for Wills, LPAs, someone to look over some existing documents or even just provide them with some advice, the 1,600 members we have across the UK as well as Europe and even further afield mean it’s very rare that we find ourselves unable to point them in the right direction. Occasionally however, a caller has some concerns over the person, or company that they’re considering using, or have already used and whether or not this is going to cause any problems for them.

If you weren’t aware, Will writing is an unregulated profession and as such we always advise to check in the first instance that whoever you’re considering engaging for legal services belongs to either a voluntary self-regulatory body such as The Society of Will Writers, or, if they’re a solicitor you should check that they’re registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Membership to The Society of Will Writers carries with it three mandatory requirements. These are holding a minimum of £2m professional indemnity insurance, completing regular training through ongoing CPD as well as adherence to our Code of Practice. We also audit our members on an annual basis to ensure best practice and all this together is what makes our members safe to do business with.

Our membership is on an individual basis, so it’s only ever the person who is registered as a member and not the company as we do not have any kind of corporate/company membership. All Society members are issued with a unique ID number as well as an ID card. They are expected to carry these with them when meeting with clients so don’t be afraid to ask them to present their ID card to you. If you’re ever unsure you can always check with us to see if someone is a member by looking on our find a member page, although not all members have a web listing, or call us and we will check our records for you.

If they’re not a member, there’s no need to panic. Whilst we’d love for all will writers out there to join the Society, we realise that for as long as the industry remains unregulated and the will writer has a choice in the matter, this is unlikely to happen. They could be a member of other membership bodies like ours, or they could be registered with the SRA so you may want to check elsewhere. It just means that it’s important you do your due diligence before inviting anyone into your home or handing over any money, because without the backing of a professional body you may not have any protection should anything go wrong. Occasionally something does go wrong, but where the person in question isn’t a member there is unfortunately little we can do. We only have powers over those who are registered with us, in which case you may need to turn to a solicitor or your local trading standards for help.

Always be sure to look out for the Society logo, our special 25th anniversary logo or our Safe to do business with logo.

Anthony Belcher

Anthony graduated from the University of Lincoln with a first in Audio Production in 2016. Deciding to pursue an alternative career, he started as the Society’s graphic designer that same year with his appointment to the board of directors coming later in 2019. Outside of the Society he is still a keen musician and avid collector of vinyl records.

16 comments

  • L. Partington

    11th October 2022 at 9:42 am

    Could you please confirm if MWQ is a member

    Reply

    • Anthony Belcher

      12th October 2022 at 4:05 pm

      Hi,

      There is MWQ Estate Planning based in Manchester with members registered with us if this is the company you’re asking for. You can also search our Find a Member page, or call the main office if you need further help locating a member.

      Thanks,
      Anthony

      Reply

  • R Thorpe

    7th December 2022 at 1:35 pm

    Your site states that you only have individual membership but Equity Will Writers of Market Drayton state on their website that they are members of your society. Who is correct ?

    Reply

    • Sam Smith

      11th January 2023 at 2:14 pm

      Hi Bob,

      I hope this email finds you well,

      I can confirm that we do only have one member under this Company name on our system.

      Kind Regards

      Sam

      Reply

  • Frank Edwards

    3rd May 2023 at 9:36 am

    Is Elite Wills a member of the society of will writers.

    Reply

    • Manisha Chauhan

      2nd June 2023 at 10:47 am

      Hi Frank, we can confirm they are not a member of the Society of Will Writers

      Reply

  • Miriam Harrison

    13th May 2023 at 8:59 am

    Could you confirm that Sue Edwards is a member of your organisation.
    I am in the North East area.

    Reply

    • Manisha Chauhan

      2nd June 2023 at 10:48 am

      Hi Miriam, we can confirm Sue Edwards is a member of the Society of Will Writers

      Reply

  • Mr Nick Puddy

    26th September 2023 at 12:13 pm

    Are Equity Will Writers of 67 Cheshire Street, Market Drayton, TF9 1PN members of The Society of Will Writers?

    Reply

    • Anthony Belcher

      27th September 2023 at 4:59 pm

      Hi, we do have members for Equity Will Writers. It’s best to call on 01522 687 888 or check our Find a Member page for the specific will writer you’re looking for as we don’t have whole companies as members, instead the individuals who work for them.

      Reply

  • Roger Eustis

    9th October 2023 at 11:28 am

    Hi, could you please confirm that June Wilson of ” Secure’s UK ,part of Alexander Lawrence ” is a Member ?

    If so, grateful for a contact please as I wish to discuss a Will she wrote for a family member.

    Many thanks for your assistance,
    Yours faithfully

    Roger Alun Eustis
    07776 368614
    Landline 01794 524479

    Reply

    • Manisha Chauhan

      12th December 2023 at 11:37 am

      Hi Roger, she does not appear to be a member of ours.

      Reply

  • Zoe Stone

    22nd November 2023 at 4:26 pm

    Can you confirm if Canterbury Estate Planning is a member of your group please ( Stuart Reynolds or has been I the past?

    Reply

    • Manisha Chauhan

      12th December 2023 at 11:31 am

      Hi Zoe, we can confirm that Stuart is a member

      Reply

  • Ian Beck

    26th January 2024 at 6:38 pm

    Can you confirm if “Will Consult You Limited” in Kensall represented by Sarah Hughes is a member of your group please.

    Reply

    • Sam Smith

      30th January 2024 at 4:38 pm

      Hi Ian,

      I hope you are well,

      I can confirm after looking at the membership listing that Sarah Hughes is a member of The Society of Will Writers.

      If you need anything else please do let us know.

      Thanks

      Sam

      Reply

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About The Society of Will Writers

The Society of Will Writers is a non-profit making self-regulatory organisation whose primary objectives are the advancement, education and ethical standards within the will writing profession.

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