STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland)

Master the trust concept and trustee responsibilities required to deliver advice in Scotland. Take a step closer to the STEP Diploma with the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland).

Course details

This course provides practitioners with the technical knowledge and practical skills required to deliver holistic advice in Scotland relating to trusts law. 

  • Gain in-depth expertise: Improve your technical knowledge of the issues arising in relation to trusts and the laws and procedures involved.
  • Practical focus: Practical advice and guidance written by practitioners, for practitioners.
  • Build valuable connections: Network with like-minded professionals in varied roles and firms.
  • Industry recognition: A recognised ‘gold-standard’ professional qualification for those working in the industry. Successful completion provides 30 Diploma Level credits towards STEP membership, enhancing your professional standing, and is awarded in association with Alliance Manchester Business School, a School of the University of Manchester.

Course fees: £1000 + local taxes

adv cert trusts law and practice
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View the course timetable - June 2025
View the Jan 2026 course timetable

Course dates, fees and enrol now:

 

Entry requirements may apply. Applicable local taxes and discounts will be added to your basket on checkout.

Customised Pricing and Group Rates

Tailored pricing plans and group rate cards are available for firms seeking to train multiple team members or larger groups of employees. We are happy to work with you to design a cost-effective solution that aligns with your training goals and budget.

Enquire now via our Corporate Solutions team

STEP Advanced Certificate Set 1
Find out more about The STEP Diploma

Entry requirements

60 Entry Level credits which can be achieved through:

  • Completion of a STEP Certificate (30 credits)
  • Previous learning - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) application - 30 credits
  • Work experience - confirmed through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) - 30 credits

Note: You do not need to apply for APEL or APCL if you already have confirmed, or if you have studied for at least two STEP Certificates previously.

Apply for APCL or APEL

Become a member of STEP

This is a STEP course/qualification. STEP membership is required to study this course and must be maintained throughout the duration of your studies.

You will need 60 Entry Level credits and if you are not already, you will become an Affiliate member by enrolling on this course. STEP will contact you regarding membership 4-6 weeks after course enrolment.

Successful completion of the course will provide 30 Diploma Level credits as part of the STEP Qualification and Membership framework.

Find out more about STEP Membership

What will I learn?

Download syllabus
  • The essential features and parties to a trust
  • The classification of different types of trusts
  • The requirements and procedure involved for the creation of a trust
  • The different rules applicable to the formation and operation of the liferent trust, the discretionary trust and the charitable trust
  • The office, duties and powers of trustees and other fiduciaries
  • The general principles of liability and appropriate remedies and defences for breach
  • The means of varying the terms of private and public trusts
  • The general principles of drafting trust documentation
  • Matters relating to risk management for trust advisers

Is this course right for me?

This course is suitable for: 

  • legal and trust professionals 
  • support staff and paralegals 
  • accountants and banking professionals 
  • tax advisers 
  • independent financial advisers 
  • executorship administrators 

Course format

This course is available for study twice a year and takes four months to complete. It is delivered online.

Enrolment onto this course will include access to an online learning platform containing:

  • bespoke course reading
  • self-assessment tools
  • supporting material

The course fee includes attendance at two online workshops led by a subject matter expert.
The course is assessed by way of a five-hour open-book examination.

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 Trusts: Law and Practice (Scotland). 

Course dates

Download the course timetable

Any questions?

Contact us