Private Trust Administration Course

This course provides a thorough exploration of trust law and the practical skills needed for effective trust administration. It’s designed for settlors, lay trust administrators, and anyone with an interest in understanding the principles and applications of trusts in the UK, in order to manage their own asset protection.

Course Overview

Across ten sessions, this course covers everything from the foundational elements of trusts to the nuanced responsibilities of trustees. We’ll walk you through the history and core principles of trust law, various types of trusts and their structures, and the roles and duties of trustees and beneficiaries. The course also delves into the practicalities of trust administration, including asset management, documentation, and dispute resolution.

Key Topics

Introduction to Trusts: Understand what a trust is, how it originated, and the distinction between legal and equitable ownership.
The Three Certainties: Explore the essential conditions needed to establish a valid trust: intention, subject matter, and object.
Trust Types and Structures: Learn about different most common trust types (discretionary, fixed, hybrid) and how they’re applied in various contexts.
Roles and Responsibilities: Get a detailed look at the duties and powers of trustees, as well as the rights of different classes of beneficiaries.
Trust Administration: Master the procedural aspects, including asset management, required documentation, and record-keeping. Suggested document templates are included.
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Review methods for resolving disputes within trusts, emphasising confidentiality and the use of ADR methods.
Statutory, STEP and Lay Provisions: Study key statutory provisions and understand perpetuity rules, along with the latest STEP Standard and Special Provisions and lay provisions for trusts.

Who This Course Is For

Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your expertise, the course offers clear guidance on administering trusts effectively and ethically.

Each session combines theoretical explanations with practical insights, helping you develop both a deep understanding of trust law and the skills to manage trusts in real-world settings.

An online based course, that runs for 1 hour every Wednesday evening at 7pm for 10 weeks.

All sessions will be recorded and uploaded on to the platform for revisiting and for those who are unable to make the live sessions.

Donate once and join every time the course is run (usually every 3-4 months)

Next Course Start Date:

Run 12: Wednesday 12th February 2025

Run 13: Wednesday 11th June 2025

Suggested donation: £400 (Available on subscription)

No.	Session	Description
1	Introduction to Trusts & Equity	Introduces the fundamentals of trusts, including the difference between legal and equitable titles and the origin of trust law. Provides a historical overview of the development of equity and the establishment of the Court of Chancery, setting the groundwork for understanding modern trust structures.
2	The Three Certainties and Historical Foundations	Examines the three certainties—intention, subject matter, and objects—necessary for creating a valid trust. Includes a historical perspective on trust law, focusing on pivotal moments like the Statute of Uses and key early cases that shaped trust principles.
3	Trust Types and Parties to a Trust	Details various trust structures, such as discretionary, fixed, and hybrid trusts, along with the roles of each party in a trust, including settlors, trustees, and beneficiaries. Discusses classes of beneficiaries and their entitlements, illustrated through relevant case studies.
4	Beneficiaries, Trustee Roles, and Fiduciary Duties	Focuses on the fiduciary duties of trustees, including the duty of loyalty, impartiality, and care. Outlines the rights of different types of beneficiaries, and the role of a trust mediator. Explores issues of sham trusts and jurisdictional considerations in trust law.
5	Trust Provisions and Perpetuity	Covers statutory and STEP provisions commonly used in trust documents. Discusses the rule against perpetuities, including the 125-year limit for trusts and the implications this has on trust structuring and administration.
6	Trustee Powers, Duties, and Appointment Procedures	Reviews the powers and duties of trustees, including administrative, distributive, and investment powers. Details procedures for appointing and removing trustees, and introduces the role of trust mediators in dispute prevention. Also includes trustee indemnities and STEP guidelines.
7	Trust Execution and Documentation Requirements	Outlines the procedures for formally executing a trust, including affidavit requirements, public notice, and compliance with the doctrine of notice. Discusses specific documentation such as sub-trust declarations, land registry requirements, and title restrictions.
8	Asset Administration and Documentation	Focuses on asset management within a trust, including listing, documentation, settlement processes, and reporting. Highlights the importance of trial balances, periodic trustee reports, and proper record-keeping to ensure transparency and accountability.
9	Trust Administration Costs and Amendments	Examines procedures for amending trust documents and managing trust expenses. Also covers privacy concerns, confidentiality requirements, and methods for dispute resolution, emphasizing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques like mediation and arbitration.
10	Final Summary and Practical Next Steps	Discusses the role of wills in trust planning, including testamentary trusts and trustee appointments. Explains the use and types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) for Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare. Includes an overview of will revocation methods and mental capacity tests following Banks v Goodfellow.