The Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Programme
Applications are now open 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
- Monday, 6 January 2025 – Applications open.
- Monday, 3 February 2025, 2.30pm AWST – Online candidate information night.
- Friday, 7 February 2025, 1pm AWST – Early bird applications close.
- Thursday, 6 March 2025, 10am AWST– Early bird applicants’ Welcome session.
- Monday, 31 March 2025, 1pm AWST – Applications close.
- 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.
Fees
- Early Bird Application Fee: $1350
- Standard Application Fee: $1500
- Special Consideration Application Fee: $300 (remaining amount to be paid once you have been accepted into the programme)
To apply click here.
Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Candidate Information Session
Learn more about the 2025 Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Assessment Programme, including eligibility requirements, the application process and assessment preparation advice from specialists who were recently accredited.
The 2025 programme is being offered in collaboration with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).
This Information Session is being run online by the LIV on Monday, 3 February 2025 at 2.30pm AWST. Bookings will be made through the LIV website. To register, click here.
Application Instructions for Members of the Law Society of Western Australia
- Read the Law Society’s 2025 Wills and Estates Specialist Accreditation Assessment Guidelines and the LIV Application Handbook.
- Confirm your eligibility before you apply.
- Prepare your supporting documentation as outlined in the LIV Application Handbook. Ensure uploads don’t have encryption or are password protected.
- All Applications must be submitted through the LIV Membership portal.
- Contact the LIV Membership Team at membership@liv.asn.au for assistance in setting up a profile for the LIV Membership portal.
- Complete the Application form, noting:
- If you do not meet all the eligibility criteria in step 2, answer ‘No’ on the form, and you will be directed to a Special Consideration Application.
- You must use the promo code LSWASPEC25 to complete the Application.
- Do NOT pay using a credit/debit card at checkout. Read the LIV Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions.
- Complete all the mandatory fields * and click the SUBMIT button (if any mandatory fields * are neglected, the Application will not be submitted). An invoice will be emailed to you separately to complete the payment.
