What is ACTAPS?
The Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) is a member organisation for lawyers specialising in contentious trust and probate work.
The objectives of this association are to provide a forum for specialists to share experience, know-how and an appreciation of the law and statutes in this specialist area. ACTAPS does this by holding seminars, conferences and meetings for the discussion of contentious trust and probate issues.
ACTAPS also provides education and training for specialists to maintain their skills and knowledge in this complex area.
ACTAPS members sign up top a voluntary code of conduct with the objective being to ensure that all matters are dealt with to may help clients to secure a quicker and more cost effective resolution of a dispute.
The ACTAPS Code
The Code applies to disputes relating to:
- the devolution and administration of estates of deceased persons
- the devolution and administration of trust funds
This covers cases that challenge the validity of a will, disputes as to the meanings of provisions in a will or trust and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“The Inheritance Act”).
The ACTAPS code of conduct states:
- ACTAPS Members will inform clients of the ACTAPS code’s provision and that they will be guided by it.
- ACTAPS members will endeavour at the start of a matter to have a without prejudice meeting to explore possibilities of resolving the issue without court proceedings.
- ACTAPS members will consider alternative dispute resolution.
- Parties with common interests will be encouraged to instruct the same legal team.
- ACTAPS members should advise clients of costs at the outset and the cost and funding implications of court action, these costs should be reviewed on a regular basis.
- Clients should be made aware of the cost advantages of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
What does membership of ACTAPS mean for our clients?
Martin Holdsworth, head of contentious, wills, trusts and probate at Gordons LLP, is a member of ACTAPS. This means that he has signed up to the ACTAPS voluntary code of conduct outlined above and his clients can be reassured that they will be dealing with someone who is an expert in this field of law. Martin’s team all adhere to the ATAPS voluntary code.
If you have any questions relation to ACTAPS please contact Martin Holdsworth.