We specialise in learning, development and consultancy for Private Client practitioners in the areas of Wills, Probate, Trusts, Tax and Elderly & Vulnerable client. Please see our free resources below, including PDF downloads and  webinars.

Please refer to the Statement of solicitor competence, the threshold standard and statement of legal knowledge on the SRA website (https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/resources/cpd/competence-statement/)  for full details of what is required of a solicitor.

The free resources available on this website together with our training and webinar services will help you maintain your competence.

NOTE: The use of material off this website is governed by our Terms of Use. Once you click to download a document then this will act as acceptance of those terms. You can find the Terms of Use here: https://www.lawskills.co.uk/terms-of-website/

LawSkills Monthly Digest

FREE monthly newsletter

Private Client Legal Training

Private Client Legal Consultancy

Have you got what it takes to be a private client lawyer?

Recorded on 7th July 2022, Gill Steel helps you understand what makes the area of private client law tick, what skills you will need to succeed, and some of the issues that you may face to help you understand if you would like to pursue this course of career further.

Trust Administration Challenges

In this short video, Gill discusses five topical challenges facing trust administrators as they grapple with Trust Registration. This was recorded on 6th April 2022, at a Professional Breakfast, courtesy of Beaufort Financial. Let’s hope the topic didn’t give them indigestion!

LawSkills Will Drafting Software Review

In recent years, software has become more sophisticated and the professional has grown aware of the need to provide an efficient Will writing service to their clients at a cost-effective price. If anything, coping with the Covid 19 pandemic has encouraged experimentation with software and accelerated change.

It is therefore time to look again at what Will drafting software is now available and whether it is suitable for your organization. Before you purchase any software, you do need to undertake research. Assess what is not working in your organization and what your specific needs are before you decide to purchase Will drafting software

LawSkills White Paper

FREE DOWNLOAD - IS WILL DRAFTING SOFTWARE SUITABLE FOR YOUR ORGANISATION?

Note on this White Paper:  For the avoidance of doubt, Gill Steel was not paid by any of the suppliers to produce this report. The facts about the software have been checked with the suppliers but the opinions are her own independent thoughts.

Certainty Expert Webinars

Probate Price Transparency

A 61-minute webinar from Gill Steel, discussing whether pricing in probate is a nightmare, or business opportunity.

What Would You Charge For A Will?

A 60-minute webinar from Gill Steel, discussing what you should charge for a will.

Interviews

Learning Options for Law Firms

Darren Leggett of The Property Ladder Group interviews Gill Steel about the benefits of online, in-house and blended learning as private client practitioners look to continue their development and share knowledge.

The Changing Face Of Training For Private Client Law Practitioners

This interview by Lucy Thomas of Legal Matters explains how training is being adapted to suit the needs of the modern Private Client law practitioner.

CPD Planning – The Best Learning Techniques In Private Client Law Practice

Interview by Lucy Thomas of Legal Matters explaining those learning techniques that work best in your legal CPD training plan.

Team Plan – Building A CPD Training Plan In Private Client Law Practice

This interview by Lucy Thomas of Legal Matters offers valuable and practical tips on how to build a team plan.

PDF Download (Free)

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Optimising Learning & Development With Technology - The Time Is Now

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Coaching As A Tool To Aid Learning

Client Testimonials

  • I find your updates most useful, with some of the best training available. Thank you.

    Ian Beavon Chartered Legal Executive

  • I really look forward to receiving the Monthly Digest, it is invaluable.

    Carolyn O'Sullivan Consultant, BDB Pitmans LLP

  • Gill’s bespoke training was excellent in every way. The content and presentation was flexible and inspiring; every attendee was impressed with the information provided and the clearest of delivery.  It was extremely helpful to everyone (from trainee to partner) to be able to go off topic in discussions while still receiving the content requested.

    Jane Hinds Emery Johnson Astills

  • Gill manages to impart the vast knowledge she has of her subject areas in a way that is accessible and useful to the practitioner. Gill never fails to relate the law to practice. The practical tips and tricks Gill has taught me through her talks and writing have been incredibly helpful in my career to date.

    Jenny Pierce Solicitors for the Elderly - Bristol branch

  • We really do find the Monthly Digest very useful.

    Sian Foster Head of Wills & Probate, Ware & Kay

  • I have just signed up for the LawSkills Monthly Digest and am excited to receive my first email edition!  A brilliant way to keep up to date with developments – thank you for such a great and affordable resource

    Awen Mellick Consultant Solicitor

  • Gill is incredibly knowledgeable and an engaging speaker – she has an amazing ability to bring to life some of the most complex and challenging subjects in wills, probate, trusts and tax

    Gavin Holt Head of Probate at Co-op Legal Services

  • I just wanted to thank you again for such a wonderful and informative day. Hands down, that is the best CPD course I have ever been on especially with all the other resources you provided

    Christina P Band Hatton Button LLP

  • This was an excellent course and helped me immensely.  The information also provided was extensive and very well appreciated which will advance my knowledge

    Emma F

  • I thoroughly enjoyed the course last week and found it to be both useful and informational.  As a newly qualified solicitor I think it was a perfect course in how to master tax during an administration of an estate.  I also found the delivery of the course by yourself to be excellent and the materials provided to be very detailed.

    Maninder M

  • I would like to say what a useful day it was for me.  It is the best course that I have been on.  I usually attend courses and come away with nothing, as the information is not practical enough; is too complicated for my use or I fall asleep!  Your course was very full and detailed, but the tools that I came away with have enabled me to solve problems in files that had been sitting in my ‘to do’ basket for a while.

    Maxine M

  • I actually enjoyed the Introduction to Trusts course so much that I am applying to do my LPC and retrain. I found Gill really inspirational and motivational!

  • Congratulations on your tour de force presentations yesterday! I was very pleased to hear you in action again and never fail to admire your ability to explain complicated issues so clearly and with such stamina.  

    Michael Orton-Jones Notary Public and Solicitor

  • My members have been going to Gill’s courses over many years now and have always found her excellent; she has a very high reputation amongst the profession.  Sessions are about the right length with excellent written material provided too; I would definitely use her again for training.    

    Trish Leach Administrator for Yorkshire Law Society

  • “Thank you on behalf of STEP Birmingham for coming along yesterday and braving the sweltering heat to deliver a really helpful and informative talk. The feedback, as always when you attend, has been overwhelmingly positive. I know I picked up some real nuggets that I shall need to explore further, particularly about the RNRB about which we all still have so  much to learn and work out in practice!” Elisabeth Whybrow

    Other delegates' feedback from the same event:  "Gill was excellent”, “excellent talk – thank you”, “Another fantastic session from Gill. Thank you”, and “Gill superb as ever!”

    Elisabeth Whybrow TEP Programme Secretary for Birmingham STEP

  • "The presentation was extremely useful.  Gill was able to ensure the whole department was engaged and could answer any questions we asked.  I would have no hesitation in using Gill again and recommending her to others."

    Emily Taylor Partner, Eric Robinson Solicitors

  • “Thanks to Gill Steel for a great presentation at our recent conference. The feedback we received from the delegates was very positive, with 95% marking the presentation and quality of notes as good/excellent. I will have no hesitation in booking Gill again for events at Liverpool Law Society”

    Jo Downey Director of Education & Training, Liverpool Law Society

  • As to quality versus quantity of CPD this is a bugbear since it becomes difficult for the seasoned practitioner to find enticing courses to go to. Lawskills' ones are always terrific though!!!

    Peter Cox
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