The Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Programme
Applications are now closed for 2025.
The Law Society, in collaboration with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV), is running a pilot Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme for Wills and Estates Law in 2025.
The Specialist Accreditation programme will provide Wills and Estates practitioners the opportunity to be recognised formally as having an enhanced level of competency in their field, a high standard of professionalism, and a commitment to ongoing expertise development through continuing legal education. Wills and Estates Accredited Specialists will be provided with the Wills and Estates Accredited Specialist logo and branding to use on their marketing material.
To become a Wills and Estates Accredited Specialist, you must:
- Be a current financial member of the Law Society of Western Australia
- Hold a current practising certificate
- Have at least five years of full-time experience in the practice of law
- Have had a substantial involvement (no less than 25%) in the practice of Wills and Estates for at least the preceding three years
- Provide the names of three referees in support of your application
- Successfully complete the Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme
In order to continue to remain accredited, you must:
- Be a current financial member of the Law Society of Western Australia
- Hold a current practising certificate
- Pay the prescribed annual fee as it falls due
- Complete a minimum of 10 CLE points in approved accreditation activities each year
- Complete the re-accreditation application every three years
2025 Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme
The Law Society is pleased to offer the 2025 Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Assessment programme in collaboration with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).
2025 Key Dates
- Thursday, 1 May 2025, 10am AWST – Welcome session.
- Friday, 27 June 2025 – Part 1: Take-home assignment released.
- Friday, 18 July 2025, 4pm AWST – Part 1: Take-home assignment due.
- Saturday, 16 August 2025, 8.30am AWST – Part 2: Written examination.
- Tuesday, 26 August 2025 – Part 3: Simulated client interview.
- November 2025 – Results sent to candidates.
For further information see the LIV website here and the Law Society’s Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Assessment Guidelines here.
Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Candidate Support Sessions
The 2025 programme is being offered in collaboration with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).
The following is the list of support sessions that will be conducted by LIV online for registered candidates.
- Thursday, 1 May 2025, 10am AWST– Welcome Session
- Thursday, 8 May 2025, 10am AWST – Assessment Prep Session – 1 Study Methods, Digital Resources (Pre recorded)
- Thursday, 15 May 2025, 10am AWST – Assessment Prep Session – 2 Ethics
- Thursday, 29 May 2025, 10am AWST – Assessment Prep Session – 3 Examination & Assessment Techniques
- Thursday, 12 June 2025, 10am AWST – Assessment Prep Session – 4 Exam Platform
- Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 1pm AWST – Q&A Session with Members of the Law Society of Western Australia Wills & Estates Advisory Subcommittee
Downloads:
Application Information for Members of the Law Society of Western Australia
Applications closed on 31 March 2025. Applications for special consideration are currently being processed. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application at the end of April 2025.
Candidates are encouraged to engage with the support sessions detailed above.
The recording of the Law Society of Western Australia Wills & Estates Law Masterclass, which was presented on 11 March 2025 is available on the Law Society CPD Online platform (limited to candidates at present). Candidates are invited to email cpd@lawsocietywa.asn.au for access to the recording.
