56/10    2 June 2010

The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) has achieved OFT approval for its code of practice under the Consumer Code of Approval Scheme (CCAS).

The IPW is a trade body for Will Writers whose members provide consumers with will writing services, assistance in estate planning and related legal services. The IPW currently has 190 full members representing an estimated 20 per cent of independent will writing businesses in the UK.

The approval means that consumers using an IPW member to make a will are safe in the knowledge that code approved members operate to a higher standard of consumer protection than the law requires. IPW code members are required to:

• pass an entrance exam and complete ongoing professional training
• provide consumers with a minimum seven day cooling off period
• complete work within strict time frames, agreed with the client
• protect consumer prepayments and deposits in the event that a member is unable to provide the promised service, and
• provide consumers with access to a low cost, independent redress scheme in case things go wrong.

Consumers wishing to use an IPW member can now look out for the OFT Approved code logo on business advertising and literature and use the OFT's postcode search to find a business working to an OFT approved code in their area.

Paul Sharpe, chairman of the IPW, said:

'The loss of a loved one is one of the most stressful times in a person's life. Everyone should make a will, and that will should be made right first time because there won't be an opportunity to come back have another go at getting it right. It is crucially important that consumers receive the highest standard of service from properly trained and qualified professionals. With IPW's OFT Approved code, consumers can tell at a glance that businesses will provide them with the highest standards.'

Aileen Armstrong, Director in the OFT's Consumer Group, said:

'We congratulate the Institute of Professional Willwriters on this achievement, and will work closely with it to ensure that these high standards are maintained.'

NOTES

1. The aim of the OFT's CCAS is to promote and safeguard consumers' interests by helping them identify better businesses and to encourage those businesses to raise their standards of customer service. The core criteria cover the organisation of the code sponsor, the preparation and content of the code, complaints handling, monitoring, compliance and publicity.
2. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme consists of two stages. During Stage One the code must meet the OFT's published core criteria, which contain measures designed to remove or ease consumer concerns about undesirable trading practices. In Stage Two the code sponsor must prove that its code lives up to the promises made in Stage One by demonstrating that the code is being effectively implemented by its members and that consumer disputes are properly resolved. 
3. The Enterprise Act 2002 gives the OFT powers to approve and promote consumer codes of practice that meet the OFT's core criteria. The OFT's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme aims to promote and safeguard consumers' interests by helping consumers identify better businesses and to encourage businesses to raise their standards of customer service. 
4. See the Consumer Codes Approval Scheme for further information and a list of approved codes. 
5. IPW originally submitted its code for assessment under the OFT's code approval scheme in August 2007, and completed Stage One in May 2008. See press release 58/08 for further information.
6. Almost a third of people in England and Wales have not made a will, with almost two million of those being over the age of 65 according to research: 'Finding the Will', National Consumer Council report, September 2007.