A NEW code of conduct for preparing wills has been welcomed by a law company.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (Step) is bolstering its existing set of ethical principles that demonstrate the standard of transparency and service clients can expect from a Step member preparing their will.

Bosses at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, in Darlington, support the move, saying it will establish principles it already has a strong commitment towards.

The firm has a number of solicitors and lawyers in its private client department who are members of Step and who already adhere to the principal elements of the code of conduct.

Anne Elliott, Latimer Hinks' partner, said: “The Step code ensures that a legal representative has, and maintains, the highest levels of duty of care and competency in completing what is to many people an essential, but sensitive, task.

“It essentially gives clients peace of mind in knowing that their affairs are being handled in the most effective and most ethical way possible.

“Our practices and procedures already to a large extent reflect the code, so we are delighted to be able to support this, and to do so without hesitation.”

The code will come into effect on April 1, and has been introduced following the Government's decision not to introduce a statutory scheme for will writing.

Professional bodies are now charged with voluntarily bringing in their own codes of practice.

Andrew Way, Latimer Hinks' partner and manager of the private client department, added: “The code ensures those accredited have a high standard of will writing, and are professionally qualified to give the best advice.”