STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates

The course will explore the issues that advisers need to consider when advising clients with a cross-border aspect to their estate, taking examples from common law, civil law, shariah law and hybrid jurisdictions.

This course is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of Manchester.

You will be able to:

• Understand the factors that need to be taken into account when resolving issues of conflict of foreign laws.
• Appreciate the fundamental differences between common law, civil law and Shariah law systems, and their respective approaches to succession rights, joint assets, matrimonial property, wills and intestacy.
• Advise on the concepts of habitual residence, domicile and nationality, and their application to different scenarios.
• Understand the concept of renvoi and its application.
• Advise how particular assets in an estate will devolve under different systems taking into account how property is held, issues of intestacy and the application of any relevant conventions/Reg 650/2012.
• Provide guidance on how marriage and registered partnerships, adoption and surrogacy can affect succession.
• Demonstrate familiarity with a range of succession systems and the interaction between those jurisdictions bound by Regulation 650/2012 and those that are not.
• Advise on the practical application of EU Regulation 650/2012 and the approach taken in jurisdictions not bound by Regulation.
• Explain the tax regimes adopted in different jurisdictions.
• Describe the effect of any applicable tax treaties on any investments held by the deceased.
• Know how to administer a cross border estate in practice.

The course is designed for all professionals dealing with wills, succession and probate in relation to cross-border estates.

Students of this course typically include:

• Wealth Managers
• Estate Planners
• Solicitors/Lawyers
• Accountants
• Tax Advisors
• Notaries
• Advocates
• Family Business Advisors
• Private Bankers
• Family Office Executives
• Financial Planners
• Trust Officers
• Trustees

• Successful completion of the course will award students with 30 Diploma-Level credits towards STEP membership. 
• Gain an understanding of the complex issues involved in dealing with estate administration across multiple jurisdictions and be able to advise clients accordingly. 
• Practical examples from a wide range of jurisdictions so that students can see how the knowledge they learn is applied in practice. 
• The course is reviewed and updated every year, to include the latest industry changes. 
• Ideal for practitioners looking for professional accreditation. 
• Access a 40% discount on the cost of purchasing European Cross-Border Estate Planning textbook, written by Timothy Lyons (Sweet & Maxwell). Full details of how to take advantage of the discount are included on the online learning platform. 
• Designed, written, and delivered by leading industry experts. 
• The course is subject to the rigorous quality assurance procedures of Manchester Business School, a Faculty of the University of Manchester.

60 Entry-Level Credits 

Note: Applicants must have obtained 60 STEP Entry-Level credits to enrol onto this course or be a member of STEP. Visit STEP's Qualifications and Membership to understand how to apply. 

It is assumed that applicants have, as a minimum, experience and knowledge of succession and estate administration in their own jurisdiction. 

This course is available for study twice annually, with intakes beginning in January and July (and assessments taking place in May and November). The programme is delivered online and will take four months to complete. We recommend that you spend four to six hours per week on private study for the four months prior to the assessment.

Enrolment onto this course will include the following:

• access to the online learning platform containing:
  • bespoke course reading 
  • self-assessment tools
  • distance learning support
• assessment fees.

The course is assessed by way of an end of course written assignment based on a published case study. The case study will be published two months ahead of the submission date. Candidates will produce a written assignment of between 3,500 and 4,000 words to address the questions contained within the case study. Candidates must achieve 50% in order to pass the Advanced Certificate. 

Once you have successfully completed this course, you will gain 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership and be awarded the STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates.

Course Timetable - 2024

Please note all courses are delivered fully online.

Course Timetable - January 2025

Please note that the dates for January 2025 will be available for enrolment in April 2024. To register your interest in this intake, please contact the team through the enquiry form.

Thank you for your interest in CLTI or STEP products. Due to government regulations, we are unable to accept online payments from, or, on behalf of students from certain countries and territories without prior agreement. Please contact us for further details on cltinternational@centlaw.com, +44 (0) 121 362 7733.

The STEP discounted fee applies only to students with Full STEP Membership.