Application information

We are no longer accepting applications for this course. To apply for a future offering of this course please add your name to the Interested List .

To apply for the course, applicants should first apply for STEP Affiliate membership before registering for the course. Successful completion of the course provides a structured route to full membership of STEP and the use of the internationally recognised ‘registered trust and estate practitioner’ designation.

• In order to apply for the course, applicants must apply for Affiliate membership through STEP before being accepted on to the course. They can do so through the following link Apply for Affiliate Membership and clicking on the blue button under ‘Join Now’ that says ‘Apply'. As guidance, a list of accepted qualifications can be found in the appendix at the bottom of the form.
• Once approved as an Affiliate member of STEP, applicants can then enrol on to the Diploma course through the Law Society with proof of Affiliate membership of STEP and on completion of a Diploma Centre application form .

Solicitors and trainees

• In order to apply for the course, solicitors and trainees must apply for Affiliate membership through STEP before being accepted on to the course. They can do so through the following link Apply for Affiliate Membership and clicking on the blue button under ‘Join Now’ that says ‘Apply'. As guidance, a list of accepted qualifications can be found in the appendix at the bottom of the form.
• Once approved as an Affiliate member of STEP, applicants can then enrol on to the Diploma course through the Law Society with proof of Affiliate membership of STEP and on completion of a Diploma Centre application form .

Other professionals

• In order to apply for the course, other professionals must apply for Affiliate membership through STEP before being accepted on to the course. They can do so through the following link Apply for Affiliate Membership and clicking on the blue button under ‘Join Now’ that says ‘Apply'. As guidance, a list of accepted qualifications can be found in the appendix at the bottom of the form.
• Once approved as an Affiliate member of STEP, applicants can then enrol on to the Diploma course through the Law Society with proof of Affiliate membership of STEP and on completion of a Diploma Centre application form .

To apply please email the following documents to diplomateam@lawsociety.ie :

• Proof of Affiliate membership of STEP
• A completed application form (see below)
• Your Curriculum Vitae
• A short cover letter setting our your relevant experience

Please note, for non-members this course is subject to a supplemental fee of €300 bringing the total course fee to €3,500. No fees are required prior to approval.

Download

• Apply for Affiliate Membership
• Diploma Centre application form (word - for PC use)
• Diploma Centre application form  (pdf - for handwritten use) (to follow)

• Timetable
• Faculty booklet

Further information on this course including course structure, module scheme, faculty and workshop dates are set out below. Clicking on the links will bring you directly to that section or simply scroll through to read all the content.

Short video introduction

• Programme structure
• Modules
• Workshops
• Assessments
• Who should attend?
• Faculty
• CPD

Programme objectives

On completion of this training programme, participants will:

• Advise clients on the creation of wills, the operation of trusts, associated tax implications and overall estate planning;
• Highlight recent judicial decisions and legislative developments;
• Assess the impact of recent developments on practice and procedure;
• Develop their capacity for independent learning.

Programme structure and approach to learning

The Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning is offered jointly by the Law Society of Ireland and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).  The course has been designed by practitioners with specialist exposure to give a practical insight into key estate planning, legal- and tax-based concerns for private clients in the area of trust and estates. The focus of the diploma course is to enable successful candidates to advise clients on all aspects of the creation of wills, the operation of trusts, associated tax implications, and overall estate planning for clients. Practical in its approach, this course provides participants with real-life situations that practitioners face, and it gives real solutions to problems encountered.

Modules

The Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Course introduction

• Lifetime and estate planning,
• Basic legal principles,
• Basic tax principles.

Module 2: Introduction to taxation issues

• Application of tax principles,
• CGT, income tax, stamp duty, CAT,
• Double taxation agreements. 

Module 3: Lifetime and estate planning

• Lifetime gifting and passing of value on death,
• Legal issues and tax implications of wealth planning structures,
• Financial planning. 

Module 4: Trust drafting

• Requirements of a valid trust,
• Classification of trusts,
• Drafting an effective trust deed.

Module 5: Administration of trusts

• Office of trustee and trustee powers,
• Breach of trust,
• Tax issues in trusts.

Module 6: Will drafting 

• Testamentary capacity,
• Solicitors’ duty of care,
• Assisted decision-making. 

Module 7: Administration of estates

• Applying for the grant,
• Litigation,
• Distribution of assets. 

Workshops

Workshops are interactive sessions that focus on group problem-solving and are designed to revise all modules covered to date and to consolidate the student’s knowledge. 

Assessments

Written assignment (20%) and two partially closed-book exams in May 2023 (40% each).

Who should attend?

The course is intended primarily for persons who have practical experience in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, and the administration of estates within Ireland. In order to participate on the course, you must have relevant work experience of at least one year in the areas covered on the course and one or more of the following qualifications: solicitor, barrister, certified accountant, chartered accountant, associate or fellow of the Irish Taxation Institute, associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Trustee Diploma), associate of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland (Diploma in Wealth Management), member of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives, or another professional qualification deemed equivalent by the Law Society and STEP.

To apply for the course, applicants should first apply for STEP Affiliate membership before registering for the course. Successful completion of the course provides a structured route to full membership of STEP and the use of the internationally recognised ‘registered trust and estate practitioner’ designation. 

Please see STEP Ireland’s website (www.step.ie ) for full details of membership criteria.

We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-solicitors. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €300.

Faculty

Lecturers are drawn from solicitors, barristers, financial and other professionals with a variety of probate, tax and financial backgrounds. All lecturers are members of STEP Ireland and are experienced practitioners in the area of wills, probate, trusts, tax and estate planning generally. 

• Cormac Brennan, O’Connell Brennan,
• Owen Burke, Hayes Solicitors,
• Barry Kennelly, Davy,
• Nuala Casey, Solicitor,
• Amanda-Jayne Comyn, Doyle Keaney Tax Advisors,
• Alison Crawford, Joynt & Crawford,
• Allison Dey, Allison Dey Solicitors,
• John Donnelly SC,
• Karl Dowling BL,
• Gráinne Duggan BL,
• Patrick Harney, Mishcon de Reya LLP,
• Carol Hogan, O’Connell Brennan,
• Áine Hynes, St. John Solicitors,
• Carol Jermyn, Jermyn Baker,
• Aileen Keogan, Aileen Keogan Solicitors,
• Maria Lakes, Tracey Solicitors,
• Lydia McCormack, Matheson,
• Barry MacDonald, MacDonald Financial Consultants,
• Mary McKeever, Eugene F. Collins,
• Sandra Meade, O’Hanlon Tax Limited,
• Tracey O’Donnell, Deloitte,
• Ingrid O’Gorman, EY,
• Clodagh O’Hagan, Mullany Walsh Maxwells,
• Tina Quealy, O’Connell Brennan,
• Una Ryan, Grant Thornton,
• Anne Stephenson, Stephenson Burns Solicitors,
• Margaret Walsh, Sheil Solicitors,
• Declan Whittle BL.

CPD

We have designed our courses to enable you to satisfy as much of your CPD requirement as possible. Time spent attending lectures and workshops in person or completing these via e-learning as part of your course can be claimed towards your annual CPD requirement. The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to your diploma/certificate course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. For further information, visit the CPD scheme  and download the CPD booklet. 

The Diploma Centre team will host our annual CPD conference in November 2022. This complimentary event is a dedicated management and professional development skills and regulatory matters session. We will post an invitation on your Diploma Hub page later in the year. 

Contact

Riona Leahy, Solicitor, Course Leader: R.Leahy@LawSociety.ie . 

*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in these pages is accurate and up to date. However timetables and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our control.