Firms can use their own form of words to cover their licence, using the guidelines set out in the names and letterheads of practising firms. However, you must make sure the description does not imply that the firm provides other legal services such as contested probate.
Authorised firms
Authorised firms may use one of the legends below, depending on the services you choose to provide.
Probate only
| 'Authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales.' |
Or probate and oaths
| 'Authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activities of non-contentious probate and the administration of oaths in England and Wales.' |
Licensed firms
Licensed firms may use one of the legends below, depending on the services you choose to provide.
Probate only
| 'Licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales.' |
Or probate and oaths
| 'Licensed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry out the reserved legal activities of non-contentious probate and the administration of oaths in England and Wales.' |
If the firm is regulated by ICAEW in other areas (in addition to reserved legal services), it can use a mixed legend, for example:
Probate only
| 'Registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland; regulated for a range of investment business activities; and licensed to carry out the reserved legal activity of non-contentious probate in England and Wales by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ' |
Or probate and oaths
| 'Registered to carry out audit work in the UK and Ireland; regulated for a range of investment business activities; and licensed to carry out the reserved legal activities of non-contentious probate and the administration of oaths in England and Wales by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. ' |
If the firm is authorised rather than licensed, it should state that it is authorised.
Accredited firms for probate or both probate and the administration of oaths
These firms must refer to the register of accredited legal services firms. A suggested disclosure is:
‘Details of the firm’s legal services registration can be viewed at icaew.com/legalservicesregister, under the firm’s reference number which begins C0.’
You can display this disclosure on the firm's stationery, website or engagement letter. Further guidance on this statutory disclosure can be found in the Services Directive Helpsheet.
