ACTAPS Course
Course overview
What?
The College of Law, in association with the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS), offers a training course for those specialising in contentious probate and trusts who wish to become members of this specialist association. This three-year course is designed to strengthen expertise in contentious trusts and probate.
This course counts as 100% of your annual CPD requirement. Successful participants become associate members of ACTAPS, a forum which allows specialists in this field to exchange experience and expertise, and after two years will be eligible to complete an application form for full membership. As is the case with any applicant for full membership, full membership is in the absolute discretion of the Association Committee.
Please note that ACTAPS will issue associate membership certificates once a year; this will be in the June following completion of all the elements of the course.
Who?
Predominantly distance-learning based, this three-year course aims to develop specialist expertise in this field and to provide a recognised professional qualification to those already working in the field and those wanting to move into the area. It is open to all qualified solicitors, barristers and legal executives.
Why?
- Gain a recognised specialist qualification
- Learn how to advise clients, progress a case and draft appropriate documentation for key areas of trust and probate law
- Become associate members of ACTAPS and, after two years, be eligible to apply for full membership.
- Complete the course in just two years with our fast-track option
How?
The three-year course is structured around five compulsory core modules, with an additional session on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which can be studied either in the second or third year:
- Probate Actions (year one – Oct-Jan)
- Mental Capacity (year one – Feb-Jun)
- Trust Actions (year two – Jan-Mar)
- Inheritance Act Claims (year two – Oct-Jan)
- Sham Trusts/Asset Tracing (year three – Mar-Jun)
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (year two or three)
The course is predominantly distance learning based, although each module incorporates at least one evening face-to-face session of two hours led by an experienced practitioner. The ADR session is delivered as an afternoon face-to-face session of three hours.
Coursework is supported by a comprehensive learning pack and study is designed to replicate practice, with exercises including writing letters, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a case and determining the steps required to progress a transaction. The course is assessed through coursework submitted at the end of each module (apart from ADR which is not assessed).
The course aims to enable you to:
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a client’s claim in probate and trust disputes
- Progress a case using correct procedure
- Draft appropriate documentation and letters
- Determine a basis for negotiation
- Assist a client in alternative dispute resolution
- Advise settlors, beneficiaries and trustees where there is a possibility that a trust may be a sham
- Advise on steps to trace and recover assets
When?
Study takes place over three years, but delegates have the option of completing the course in just two years by studying years two and three simultaneously. This decision is taken on completion of year one.
Face-to-face sessions are held as evening seminars at our , running from 5pm to 7pm. The ADR session is held as an afternoon seminar at our London Moorgate centre, running from 2pm to 5pm. Dates to be confirmed after booking.
Where?
The course is predominantly distance learning based, but is supported by study sessions at our .
How much?
The 2012/13 fee is £750 + VAT for each year of the course. Your payment options are as follows:
- Pay for the full three-year course at time of booking (£2,250 + VAT), or
- Pay for year one at time of booking (£750) and pay for year two (£750 + VAT) and year three (£750 + VAT) prior to course commencement each year
If you plan to choose our fast-track option at the end of year one, you should pay £750 + VAT at the time of booking (to cover year one) and £1,500 + VAT prior to course commencement for year two (to cover years two and three combined).
CPD?
This course counts as 100% of your annual CPD requirement
Book
The booking form is now available to download for the course starting in October 2012. To secure a place on the course, please complete the booking form and send it to our address on the form. Bookings are accepted on a 'first come, first served basis'.
Download the ACTAPS booking form.
Find out more
E-mail
Call 0800 289997
Fax 01483 579558