The Law Society has confirmed it will introduce a new accreditation scheme - the Wills and Inheritance Scheme - in the autumn.

The scheme is for solicitors providing will-writing and probate services.

Formally proposed last year, it intends to fill the gap left by the lord chancellor's refusal to make will-writing a reserved activity earlier this month, despite the Legal Services Board recommendation to do so.

Details of the scheme have yet to be confirmed, but the Society expects that it will be launched in July and opened for applications in October.

A Law Society spokeswoman said: ‘The scheme will aim to set minimum practice standards for firms advising on will-writing and estate administration and will enable consumers to differentiate providers with expertise from others.’

She added that firms will have to abide by key principles set out in a protocol dealing with service levels, timescales for communications with clients, and transparency regarding costs.