The Private Client & Charities team of Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the UK-wide commercial law firm, has been accredited by the newly created STEP Employer Training Scheme. MMS is the first firm in Scotland to achieve the recognition, with the team awarded ‘Platinum Training Partner’, the highest of three accreditation levels.

STEP is the worldwide association for professionals who advise families across generations on wealth planning. Promoting best practice, professional integrity and development, the organisation has its own qualification framework and examinations. Its 20,000 members, spanning 95 countries, include lawyers, accountants and other trust and estate specialists.

Andrew Biggart, partner in the MMS Private Client & Charities team, said: “We believe it is essential that all our lawyers are qualified as Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEPs) through STEP and this accreditation is an important element of this strategy. By leading the way for the profession in Scotland, clients are assured that they can rely on our technical excellence and ability to address their often complex needs.”

The STEP Employer Training Scheme was launched earlier this year and is designed to help employers of STEP students and members to plan and deliver the best possible learning experience to complement client work.

Kenneth Shand, CEO of MMS, added: “This is a landmark development for the Private Client & Charities team. Being awarded the highest level of accreditation offers third-party assurance of MMS’ organisational commitment to learning and development, and the career development of our staff.”