INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL WILWRITERS (IPW)

At Clarke & Wright we want clients to feel completely confident about who they are trusting with their wills, powers of attorney and estate planning. One of the ways we do this is by belonging to the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW).

IPW membership is your assurance that we are independently assessed, properly trained and bound by a strict Consumer Code of Practice approved by Chartered Trading Standards.

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What is the Institute of Professional Willwriters?

The Institute of Professional Willwriters is the recognised professional body for willwriting and related estate planning services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1991 to protect the public from unqualified practitioners and poor business practices, and it now regulates and promotes high standards across the profession.

The IPW:

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Our responsibilities as IPW members

As IPW members, Clarke & Wright must meet strict requirements designed to protect you. These include:

1. Following the IPW Consumer Code of Practice
We must comply with the IPW Code in all our dealings with private clients, with sanctions if we fall short. The Code covers will-writing, powers of attorney, estate administration, and related services, and is specifically written to help the public choose a professional, competent, and ethical firm. 

2. Clear information and fair terms

We are required to:

  • Provide clear written information about the services we will provide

  • Explain our fees in advance so you understand costs before you commit

  • Confirm our advice and your instructions in writing, in plain English wherever possible

  • Store your documents securely where agreed, and explain any storage arrangements to you

3. Proper insurance and business safeguards

IPW members must carry substantial levels of professional indemnity insurance to protect clients if something goes wrong. The IPW scheme requires a minimum level of cover, currently at least £2 million per member firm. 

We must also follow the Code’s rules on handling client money, record keeping and confidentiality, so that your affairs are dealt with securely and responsibly.

4. Ongoing training and competence

The IPW requires members to keep their knowledge up to date. Through the IPW’s Willwriting Academy and other training, practitioners are expected to maintain and develop their expertise in wills, powers of attorney, trusts and related areas. 

At Clarke & Wright, this supports our internal training and supervision, ensuring the advice you receive reflects current law and best practice.

5. A structured complaints and redress process

If you are ever unhappy with our service, the IPW Code requires us to:

  • Acknowledge a letter of dissatisfaction within five working days

  • Investigate and provide a complete written response within 56 days

  • Explain your further options if you remain dissatisfied, including access to the IPW’s independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme 

This means you have recourse not just to us, but to an external body if a concern cannot be resolved.

The benefits for you and your family

Choosing an IPW member brings a number of practical benefits. For our clients, membership means:

Extra protection and peace of mind
You are dealing with a firm that is part of a Trade Standards-approved consumer code. The IPW Code is regularly audited, and the Institute works with bodies such as the Legal Services Board, the Competition and Markets Authority and the Office of the Public Guardian to raise standards in this area of work. 

Professional advice from specialists
IPW membership signals a commitment to wills and estate planning as a specialist area. The Institute is described as the natural home for practitioners who want to demonstrate and build their expertise in this field, and membership is used as a mark of recognised knowledge and industry awareness.

Clear pricing and documentation
The IPW Code expects members to set out their terms, scope of work and fees clearly at the outset. This supports our own approach of providing written engagement letters and transparent, fair pricing so there are no surprises. 

Independent recourse if something goes wrong
Unlike unregulated willwriters, IPW members operate within a formal complaints framework. If a problem arises that cannot be resolved with us, you have the safeguard of the IPW’s own complaints and ADR processes. 

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How to check our IPW membership

The IPW maintains an online member directory so the public can verify whether a firm is a member of the Institute. You can search for Clarke & Wright on the IPW website’s Membership Directory by entering our name or your postcode.

In summary

Our membership of the Institute of Professional Willwriters is integral to how we demonstrate professionalism, accountability and care for our clients. It sits alongside our internal standards and procedures, giving you confidence that your will and estate planning are in safe hands.

If you would like to discuss making or reviewing a will, putting powers of attorney in place or planning your estate, please contact the Clarke & Wright team and mention that you would like to work with an IPW member.