Charities as Beneficiaries 2008
In 2003 ILM published with the Law Society the first edition of the Charities as Beneficiaries' booklet, a complimentary copy of which was issued to our members, and has since been issued to each new member who has joined ILM. This useful publication was designed to provide a helpful reference for solicitors both where their clients are considering charities to benefit under a will and in the administration of estates involving charitable beneficiaries.
ILM and the Law Society Probate Section have recently reviewed and updated the booklet and have now published Charities as Beneficiaries 2008, which is intended as a guide to best practice both for solicitors and charities. ILM has issued a free copy to every member of ILM, our Corporate Partners and a number of other supporters of the Institute’s work. The Law Society Probate Section has despatched copies to all its members and we jointly hope that it will assist in better understanding of the roles and requirements of Charity Legacy Officers and Estate Administrators.
The booklet is an absolutely essential item not only for the Legacy Officer but the Legacy Fundraiser, as it covers good practice for solicitors writing Wills as well as those administering estates. It is a must-have part of the Legacy Officer's toolkit, as it clearly sets out what is regarded by the Law Society as good practice. Even so, those solicitors that are members of the Probate Section may benefit from occasional reminding (and those that are not may appreciate being informed) of its contents. Many charities quote it (or send photocopies of relevant pages) when an estate solicitor is in need of a rationale or an explanation for a request made by a charity. ILM has now uploaded a PDF copy (see below) of the updated booklet to enable Legacy Officers to refer this helpful manual to estate solicitors who may be unaware of its contents, and who can now view it online.
This booklet is not just a reference, but a way of helpfully informing others of best practice. Please take time to read through the booklet, and do keep it to hand at work.
ILM members are requested to contact our Administrator at dawn@ilmnet.org should they require additional copies. Additional copies are also available from The Law Society at £25 (VAT is zero-rated). Please contact: probatesection@lawsociety.org.uk, Tel: 020 7316 5678, or send a cheque made payable to The Law Society to: Coordinator, Probate Section, The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL (DX 56 London/Chancery Lane). Whilst copyright remains with Probate Section and ILM, it is quite permissible to quote in part from the booklet, for instance in correspondence, and we welcome referral to the booklet in correspondence with Estate Administrators.
Open the booklet: Charities as Beneficiaries | 
