The Society of Will Writers 19th Annual Conference
The Abbey Hotel, Golf & Country Club, Redditch
5th/6th October 2015
We are pleased to announce that the conference will again be run over two days at the same
venue as last year. The first day being the traditional conference day with 4 expert speakers and
day two following the same format as last year with three engaging workshops running until
roughly 1pm.
As the Society turned 21 this year we are keen to ensure that you get as much from conference
as possible and have sourced some fantastic speakers.
Speakers for 2015
James Kessler QC
We are thrilled to welcome James to speak at our conference this year. James is a leading tax
barrister and author having written books including ‘Drafting Trusts and Will Trusts’ and
‘Taxation of Non-Residents and Foreign Domiciliaries’. James has practiced as a barrister since
1985 and was appointed QC in 2003. This is our first time welcoming James to a SWW
conference and hope to welcome him back again in the future to share as much of his
knowledge as we can.
James is one of the founders of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, for whom he
drafted the STEP Standard Provisions, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and a
bencher of Lincoln’s Inn. James has received the Geoffrey Shindler Award for Outstanding
Contribution to the Profession (STEP Private Client Awards, 2011).
Martin Holdsworth
Another new face to the panel of expert speakers for SWW conferences, Martin is a solicitor
who comes highly recommended with huge amounts of experience and insight. Martin heads a
team of solicitors who specialise solely in resolving probate and trust disputes. He dealt with his
first dispute in 1993 and over the last 20 years has seen and dealt with most situations arising
over will validity challenges, fraud, forgery, trust and estate mismanagement and dealing with
claims by disappointed beneficiaries either seeking greater provision from a deceased’s estate
or responding to claims made by others.
Martin is one of only three solicitors listed as a leading individual in his field outside of London
by the Legal 500. His teams have been shortlisted for the STEP Contentious Trust and Estate
team of the year and has twice won the Yorkshire Lawyer Award for Private client work. Martin
currently sits on the national committee of the Association Of Contentious Trust and Probate
Specialists (ACTAPS).
Alongside providing legal and practical solutions, Martin focusses his attention on the
emotional impact of probate claims and how these can be dealt with in a way that promotes
settlement rather than making an already emotive situation worse. He has a huge amount of
experience and we are pleased to welcome him to present.
Mike Smith
Mike is well known to SWW members as a College of Will Writing tutor. He is a leading expert
on areas including inheritance tax law and capital gains tax. Mike is a Solicitor, member of STEP
and an experienced Trust specialist. This year Mike has written and presented a brand new
course for the College of Will Writing designed specifically for the advanced professional. We
are pleased that Mike will be imparting his knowledge this year in relation to the foreign
property in light of the new E.U succession law changes.
Craig Ward
Craig Ward is another name to which most of you should be familiar. He is a Solicitor and a
leading tutor for the College of Will Writing having written and currently presenting 3 courses
relating to LPA’s and Deputyships. Those of you that know Craig will know he is an expert in this
field and is the author of ‘Lasting Powers of Attorney: A Practical Guide’ (2nd Edition) (The Law
Society).
He is a Trainer and a CEDR Accredited Mediator specialising in civil law and vulnerable
adults. Craig is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, and The British Psychological Society. He
has a psychology degree and conducts legal research as well.
James Greenwood
James is hugely knowledgeable, young and charismatic. He works with the SWW Trust
Corporation as an Estate Case Manager as well as sitting on the SWW Executive Council, and is
a tutor for the College of Will Writing. A Cambridge graduate, James declined a scholarship to
study at Lincoln’s Inn to assist the SWW and the Trust Corporation with their continued growth.
A wealth of knowledge when it comes to probate, estate administration and trusts, James
imparts knowledge in his role as the tutor of the course he designed on ‘Estate Planning and
Trusts’ – which he delivers with as much humour and zeal as he believes such a subject
demands.
Conference Agenda
Monday 5th October
08.30
Breakfast Meeting – Digital Legacies
(Ben Martin – Safe 4)
09.00
Registration
09.45
Brian McMillan – Introduction
10.30
Martin Holdsworth –
An anecdotal review of why and how claims arise generally, touching
on:
The common reasons for will claims
The importance of interview techniques when taking will instructions
Testamentary freedom and a couple of recent case examples and when
the court’s suspicion is aroused
The current trends of litigation – where the new frontiers are being
fought
11.30
Refreshments
12.00
James Greenwood –
Estate planning mistakes you don’t know you’re making
The effects at probate
13.00
Lunch
14.15
Mike Smith –
Foreign Property
Brussels IV
15.15
Refreshments
15.45
James Kessler –
Inheritance and Trustees' Powers Act 2014
Discretionary will trusts: End of the three month trap
Pilot Trusts
Advice and guidance
SRA: Ethics guidance Drafting and preparation of wills
Law Society: Preparing a will when your client is leaving a gift for you or
your family
STEP Code for Will Preparation in England & Wales
Reform:
Deeds of variation
Law Commission Reform of law of wills
The quality of will writing today
SRA research
Legal Ombudsman report: Complaints in focus: Wills and probate
Need for Lasting Powers of Attorney
Sharia compliant wills
Recent cases
16.45
Brian McMillan - Close
We are pleased to have Derek Forbes master of ceremony at this year’s conference. Derek was
responsible for organising the very first conferences and it brings us great delight to be able to welcome
him back again this year.
Dinner will be served at 19:30 in the Henley in Arden Suite
A private bar will be open from 19:00
The evening’s entertainment will consist of a table magician entertaining with sleight of hand
between courses followed by a fantastic comedian and casino evening.
Please Note: Speakers are expressing their own views which may not necessarily be the views of the Society of Will
Writers. Some speakers may refer to their own goods and services, the Society does not object to this but does not
endorse any particular firm or individual unless mentioned otherwise.
Recruitment activity of any kind at any time during the conference is strictly forbidden.
Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off during the conference .
Agenda
Tuesday 6th October 2015
08.45
09.15-10.15
10.15-10.40
10.40-11.40
11.40-11.45
11.45-12.45
12.45-12.50
12.50-13.00
13.00
Registration
Workshop 1
Refreshments
Workshop 2
Changeover
Workshop 3
Changeover
Close
Buffet Lunch
For the workshops the group will be split into three smaller groups.
Please see the following pages for which group you are in and at
which time and meeting room you will be in for each workshop
Please Note: Speakers are expressing their own views which may not necessarily be the views
of the Society of Will Writers. Some speakers may refer to their own goods and services, the
Society does not object to this but does not endorse any particular firm or individual unless
mentioned otherwise.
Recruitment activity of any kind at any time during the conference is strictly forbidden
Please ensure that all mobile phones are switched off during the Conference
Tuesday 6th October 2014 - Workshops
Mike Smith – Foreign Property
Arden Room - Ground Floor
Group 1 = 9:15-10:15
12:45
Group 2 = 10:40-11:40
Group 3 = 11:45-
Group 3 = 10:40-11:40
Group 1 = 11:45-
Craig Ward – The Care Act
Norton Adderley Room - First Floor
Group 2 = 9:15-10:15
12:45
Dave Harris (Octopus) – IHT and BPR
Henley Room - Ground Floor
Group 3 = 9:15-10:15
12:45
Group 1 = 10:40-11:40
Group 2 = 11:45-
After the third workshop please return to the main conference room
for the close
Society Staff
If you require any assistance or if you have any questions during the conference
then please ask a member of the Society team.
The following staff are attending the conference:
Carmen Cottingham, Thomas Stansfield, James Greenwood, Jordan Cooling, Diane Mandeville
and Sharon Norris (Sharon and Diane will be attending the dinner only)
The Society of Will Writers, Terms & Conditions for Delegates at our Conference
1.
Payments
All bookings made prior to the conference must be paid in full to guarantee registration. If payment is not made at
the time of booking, registration will be provisional.
We reserve the right to refuse any booking without explanation
2. Substitutions & Cancellations
Delegates may nominate an alternative person from their organisation to attend up to 24 hours prior to the start of
the event, at no extra charge. Should substitution not be possible, cancellation charges apply as follows:
Cancellations made prior to the 20th September 2014 incur a £20 admin charge but any cancellation made after will
result in no refund being given.
All substitutions and cancellations must be received in writing
3. Access Requirements
Delegates should advise of any special access requirements at the time of registration.
4. Registration Information
Registration information will be sent to registered delegates by post at least seven days prior to the event. Any
delegate not receiving the registration information should contact us by email to diane@willwriters.com.
5. Alterations to Programme - Cancellation/Postponement of Event
1. SWW reserves the right to make alterations to the conference programme, venue and timings.
2. In the unlikely event of the programme being cancelled by SWW, a full refund will be made. Liability will be
limited to the amount of the fee paid by the delegate.
3. In the event of it being found necessary, for whatever reason, that the conference is being postponed or the
dates being changed, the organisers shall not be liable for any expenditure, damage or loss incurred by the
delegate.
4. If by re-arrangement or postponement the event can take place, the booking between the delegate and the
organisers shall remain in force and will be subject to the cancellation schedule in paragraph 3.
6. Speakers
Views expressed by speakers are their own. SWW cannot accept liability for advice given, or views expressed, by any
speaker at the conference or in any material provided to delegates.
7. Photography & Filming
For promotional purposes, there may be a photographer and/or video production taking place during the conference.
Delegates who do not wish to be filmed or recorded should advise the organisers by email
to Thomas.s@willwriters.com prior to the event.
8. Data Protection
In line with the members agreement made in 1995 SWW will not sell or share your details with 3 parties unless
otherwise agreed.
9. Websites & Links
The conference and associated SWW websites may link to other websites and networking tools provided for the
convenience of the users. The contents of these websites are maintained by their owners, for which SWW takes no
responsibility. Neither can responsibility be taken for contents of any website linking to this website.
10. Insurance
It is the responsibility of the delegate to arrange appropriate insurance cover in connection with their attendance at
the conference. SWW cannot be held liable for any loss, liability or damage to personal property.
If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact –
The Society of Will Writers, Chancery House, Whisby Way, Lincoln, LN6 3LQ
Or via email: info@willwriters.com