The Legal 500

The economic downturn and resulting government measures in the UK and abroad shaped the nature of private client work in 2010. The introduction of the 50% income tax rate for trusts and higher earners, and the increase in CGT from 18% to 28%, led to wealthy families restructuring assets to reduce their exposure. Disclosure issues came to the fore due to the relatively recent establishment of the High Net Worth Unit at HMRC and the Lichtenstein Disclosure Facility. As families grow ever more international, advice on tax changes in other jurisdictions is key, while on the domestic front Court of Protection work is growing as clients live longer. Disputes are also on the rise.

The charity and not-for-profit sector has been shaken up by government cuts and a need to re-position for the implementation of the ‘Big Society’. The relationship between trust law and family law continues to play out in the courts, in landmark cases such as Radmacher and Robson, with the former creating a flurry of pre-nuptial work for family lawyers. Keeping cases out of court is a priority for most family lawyers, and the collaborative approach pioneered by practitioners such as Family Law in Partnership LLP’s James Pirrie and Gillian Bishop is growing ever more prevalent.

The market is divided between firms with international offices in fertile hunting grounds for wealthy individuals such as Geneva or the Middle East – the likes of Withers LLP and Charles Russell LLP – and those which operate, very successfully, from a UK office, such as Macfarlanes LLP and Farrer & Co. Withers LLP stands out for its superb international reach, with offices in Milan, Hong Kong, Zurich, Geneva, the British Virgin Islands and the US, and covers every conceivable aspect of private client: multi-jurisdictional pre-nups, charitable legacies, landed estates, complex tax and trust structuring, cross-border probate, succession planning and international trust disputes. Macfarlanes LLP is unusual in its dedication to maintaining market-leading corporate and private client practices, and has a strong entrepreneurial client base. Farrer & Co is well known for advising members of the Royal Family and aristocracy, and is also a forward-looking and comprehensive private client practice with international expertise.

The legal market is in an interesting state of flux, with a trend for breakaway boutiques. Harcus Sinclair set the ball rolling back in 2002, followed by Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, which split from Allen & Overy LLP in 2009. In 2010, four private client partners left Lawrence Graham LLP to establish Berkeley Law; and a trio of partners from Payne Hicks Beach left to establish New Quadrant Partners LLP.

In terms of notable partner moves, star practitioner Rupert Ticehurst left Herbert Smith LLP for Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, beefing up the firm’s capacity to handle trust disputes; and Charles Russell LLP lost the head of its contentious trusts practice, Morven McMillan, who moved to Cayman Islands firm Mourant Ozannes. In the family sphere, Tom Amlot left Harbottle & Lewis LLP to join Alexiou Fisher Philipps; and Speechly Bircham LLP lost Richard Hogwood to Stewarts Law LLP and John Nicholson to Irwin Mitchell LLP.

The ‘clear and concise’ Simon Pring heads Farrer & Co’s landed estates group, which can draw on the allied expertise of the largest property team in London handling work in this sector. The ‘cohesive’ team includes Henry Goulding, James Maxwell and Edmund Featherston-Dilke, who ‘work exceptionally well together’ and have ‘a good balance of flair and industry’. The firm is renowned for its client list of landowners; its recent work includes advising on substantial listed building infringements on the purchase of an estate with a Grade 1 listed mansion house, and on the grant of numerous mineral leases. A welcome addition is Rhoddy Voremberg, who joined the team from Wilsons.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP has a dedicated agriculture and estates team advising on a broad range of matters, from complex trust and family structures to agricultural tenancy issues and planning appeals. Clients appreciate its ‘detailed knowledge of the agricultural industry’ and ‘breadth of skills’. Practice head Christopher Findley is a ‘consummate professional’, and senior associate Henry Cecil is a ‘go-to’ lawyer for sales and purchases involving substantial landed estates. Highlights included advising on the sale of a £15m landed estate in the Cotswolds.

Boodle Hatfield has an excellent agriculture and estates practice under the stewardship of Sue Laing, ‘the best traditional British estate’s private client lawyer’. The team handles sales, purchases and complex tax planning for some of the country’s most substantial estates. Tim Manning is ‘very thorough, and has excellent attention to detail’; Saskia Arthur is ‘very reliable’; and Natasha Hassall is ‘understated but has a mind like a laser’.

‘First rate and accurate’, William Neville handles both disputes and agricultural advisory work at Burges Salmon LLP in Bristol. Vivienne Williams has an exclusively contentious practice, which includes farming partnership disputes and landlord and tenant matters, while Charles Wyld handles tax and succession planning for UK and overseas clients. Peter Williams is now with Wilsons.

The ‘highly skilled’ Christopher Page heads the team at Charles Russell LLP, which provides considerable tax and trusts expertise to its client base of landed estates, substantial farms and agricultural business clients. Representative instructions included advising Lord Sandys and the Ombersley Conservation Trust on strategic, fiscal and property matters.

‘Prompt and proactive’, Forsters LLP has a first-class practice headed by the ‘vastly experienced’ Penny Elliott and Andrew Lane, both ex-Withers LLP, with the highly rated David Robinson and Rupert Mead providing additional expertise. The team advises on tax structuring, innovative leasing arrangements, and sales and purchases for over 90 substantial landed estates.

Patricia Sykes heads the landed estates group at Hunters, which is part of the firm’s excellent, traditionally focused private client offering. Recent work includes the £4m sale of a mansion house with farm attached in Devon, which involved winding up a farming company, the transfer of staff and tenanted cottages, and single farm payment and stewardship scheme entitlements. Jonathan Godwin-Austen and Joe Richardson are considered ‘highly capable pairs of hands’.

Macfarlanes LLP fields a ‘brilliantly inventive and tireless’ three-partner team, featuring the ‘knowledgeable’ John Hornby and ‘very astute’ Tristan Ward. Handling a range of diverse, high-level instructions, it recently arranged the partition of a substantial landed estate in the south of England between spouses and family trusts following a divorce. The practice can draw on the exceptional tax expertise of the private client team.

2010 saw Mills & Reeve LLP advise on three estate transactions worth over £15m each, as well as continue to advise 15 Oxbridge colleges, most of which have large rural landholdings. The firm has a strong landed estates client base, and also acts for farmers and other landowners. Michael Aubrey heads the practice.

Mark Musgrave heads the three-partner team at Speechly Bircham LLP, which regularly acts for high-net-worth non-doms on the purchase of significant UK estates, as well advising a raft of landed estates on tax planning and estate management.

The landed estates group at Withers LLP provides a comprehensive service, drawing on the firm’s international expertise in tax, trusts and estate planning. Highlights included advising a Dutch family on the purchase of a sizeable estate in the north of England, including on the ownership structure and tax implications from a Dutch perspective. Clients value Matthew Woods’s experience in advising family estates, and find his co-practice head Bertie Hoskyns-Abrahall to be ‘hugely qualified’ on agricultural property matters, as well as ‘approachable and easy to deal with’.

Currey & Co is the firm of choice for many traditional landed estates. Jonathan Redmayne has joined the practice from Taylor Wessing LLP.

Sandy Schofield at May, May & Merrimans has a good reputation for advising on farm tenancies, partnership agreements and the agricultural holdings legislation.

Senior partner Alastair Murdie at Payne Hicks Beach has considerable expertise in advising its landed estate client base. Graham Brown is also recommended.

Taylor Wessing LLP advises a number of significant landed estates with over 4,000 acres. The team provides ‘prompt and specialist advice while maintaining an awareness of tax and trust issues’. Andrew Hine heads the group, which was joined by associate Luke Callaghan from Birketts LLP. Joanna Ward is ‘efficient and effective’.

Anita Symington and William Wyldbore-Smith head the agriculture and estates team at Thrings LLP, which regularly acts for landed estates, farms, corporate agricultural enterprises, and entrepreneurs. The Country Land and Business Association is also a client.

Robert Broderick at Trowers & Hamlins LLP counts a significant number of landed estates among his clients.

The name Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is synonomous with charity work; the firm fields the largest dedicated charity and social enterprise team in the UK, and acts for over 2,000 charity clients, including Barnardo’s, Christian Aid, the RSPCA, and Samaritans. Julian Blake and Philip Kirkpatrick head the team, and ‘have a strong grasp of the law with a pragmatism which results in the best outcome for clients’. Also recommended are Rosamund McCarthy, who ‘uses her understanding of regulation to shape an environment that works for charities’; Lawrence Simanowitz, who ‘brings clarity to complex situations’; and senior partner Stephen Lloyd, who is ‘innovative, shows strong leadership and continually encourages fresh structures in the voluntary and community sector’. Abbie Rumbold and Thea Longley are also recommended.

Farrer & Co has a high-quality charities practice headed by the ‘excellent, proactive and discreet’ Anne-Marie Piper, whose ‘direct and assured style instils confidence’. The practice has real depth of expertise, regularly advising household names such as the Royal British Legion, Age UK, and Save the Children. Sam Macdonald, James Carleton and Julian Smith provide accomplished and experienced support.

Penny Chapman heads an ‘excellent’ charities practice at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, which provides a ‘personalised service; the team is always available, informed, and helpful, without being overly legalistic or formal’. The firm has a varied client base of charities, covering education, arts and religious organisations. Simon Weil has a strong practice, and is ‘very knowledgeable about charities while understanding the commercial realities’. Jonathan Brindsen is ‘excellent in every way’, and Ben Brice is one to watch.

Stone King LLP has a dedicated charities sector focus, which also encompasses education, in particular the establishment of academies. Senior partner Michael King leads the team, which includes the ‘first-rate’ Jonathan Burchfield, who has ‘vast experience in the sector, and a good common-sense approach combined with very sound judgement’; and Ann Phillips, who has ‘an unsurpassed knowledge of charity law’. Its impressive client list includes the Heritage Lottery Fund, the English Province of the Order of Preachers, Mission Care, and the International Hospital Federation.

Withers LLP has a strong charities and philanthropy practice headed by Alison Paines, the ‘doyenne of charity lawyers’. The firm advises on the full scope of charity and non-for-profit issues, including international and contentious matters. The team continue to advise Cancer Research UK on a groundbreaking new joint venture charity to develop and operate the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation. Paul Hewitt is an acknowledged expert.

Charles Russell LLP has an admirable commitment to its charities practice, which can draw support from the firm’s expertise across the private client sector. The ‘knowledgeable and technically excellent’ Michael Scott heads the practice, which acts for both institutional and not-for-profit clients, including City of London Guilds Institute, the People’s Supermarket and the RNLI as well as individual clients who wish to establish UK or international charitable foundations. Sarah Rowley is valued for her ‘meticulous approach’.

The ‘positive, calm and knowledgeable’ Ian Hempseed heads the third sector team at Hempsons, which can draw on 16 partners nationally. The team has a strong reputation and gained a number of new clients in 2010, including the Royal British Legion, National Childbirth Trust, and the Royal Commonwealth Society. Other standout practitioners include Fiona Wilson, who has particular expertise in legacies; and Jean Sapeta, who advises NHS trusts, local housing associations and charities on all aspects of employment law.

The ‘highly capable’ James Sinclair Taylor heads the charities and not-for-profit team at Russell-Cooke LLP, which has been advising the Tudor Trust on social investment, and providing the International Youth Hostel Association with governance advice. Andrew Studd is ‘sure footed, and good at finding solutions’, and Mary Cheves is ‘excellent’ on property matters.

John Ward heads the charities team at Speechly Bircham LLP, which advises on the full scope of matters, from charity acquisition and organisational restructuring to cross-border giving for entrepreneurs. Clients include Barnardo’s and Independence at Home. Gaynor Jackson is ‘user friendly and extremely knowledgeable on tax matters’, and William Hancock and rising star Hannah Candlin are ‘excellent’. The team was boosted by the arrival of Dominic Lawrance from Macfarlanes LLP, who has expertise in philanthropy.

The five-partner team at Wilsons is headed by Moira Protani. Its work in 2010 included advice on mergers, governance reviews, finance and philanthropic giving. Clients find the firm ‘responsive, knowledgeable and approachable’, singling out Peter Jeffreys, James Aspden and Gillian Fletcher for particular praise.

Charities is part of Boodle Hatfield’s premier private client offering, led by Sue Laing. Its prestigious client base includes high-net-worth individuals with private charities or involved in cross-border giving. Examples of recent work include negotiating with the Charity Commission on applications setting up or winding up charities, and advising major companies on their philanthropic strategy.

Edward Reed heads the charities and philanthropy practice at Macfarlanes LLP, which in 2010 set up the Gender Rights and Equality Action Trust (GREAT) to promote the equality of women in Africa. Owen Clutton is now a consultant to the practice.

Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP has a diverse client list including a significant portfolio of clients incorporated by Royal Charter, and high-net-worth individuals, whom the team advise on cross-border charitable giving. The ‘experienced’ Ceris Gardner heads the team, and Robert Bulling is noted for his expertise in dealing with bodies governed by Royal Charter. The team provides ‘wise, useful, pragmatic and articulate’ advice.

Ian Davis heads the team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, which serves the firm’s corporate charity client base. It advised Careers Development Group on governance, dispute resolution, employment and pensions matters.

The ‘knowledgeable’ Simon Randall and ‘responsive’ Joanne Bussell joined Winckworth Sherwood from Lawrence Graham LLP in 2010. The firm is strongly geared toward advising the voluntary sector, acting for many educational, housing and religious charities and not-for-profit organisations. Owen Carew-Jones is also recommended for his charities expertise.

The team at Beachcroft benefits from the firm’s strong national practice, in areas such as property, employment and litigation. Clients include Barnardo’s and the British Red Cross. Julian Gizzi heads the three-partner team, which ‘inspires confidence’.

Martin Paisner heads the charity law group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, which advised Worcester College, Oxford on its registration with the Charity Commission. ‘The legal advice is first class’, and Neasa Coen is singled out by clients as a rising star.

Bristows has well-established expertise in acting for large, institutional charities in the spheres of science, engineering and commerce; they include The Geological Society of London. Miranda Cass and Mark Hawes co-head the practice; John Lace has become a consultant.

Andrew Crawford has a notable charities focus at Devonshires, which has particular expertise in regulatory issues.

Druces LLP has a well-rounded charities offering with a particular focus on insolvency matters. Richard Monkcom heads the two-partner team.

Edwin Coe LLP advises a host of national and international charities, particularly Africa-related bodies such as the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, and also acts for individuals setting up charities. David Goepel heads the team.

Graeme Nuttall heads the charities team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, which provides the full spectrum of tax advice to charities, as well as advising on incorporation, mergers and regulatory issues.

Charles Pike and Craigie Pearson are the key contacts at Forsters LLP, now that Julian Washington has left the practice. Notable instructions included advising on the ‘Chance to Shine’ appeal, which aims to restore competitive cricket to state schools.

Associate David Scott heads the team at Harbottle & Lewis LLP, which includes experienced corporate partner Colin Howes. The team acts for Comic Relief and Virgin Unite.

Alan Banes from Howard Kennedy has particular expertise in governance matters, and consultant Iain Harris also has a strong reputation. Clients include The Mutiple Sclerosis Society and the Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust.

Hunters has charities capability as part of its sterling private client offering. Senior partner Paul Almy has ‘a good understanding of the complexities of charity law’.

Lee Bolton Monier-Williams is highly rated for its ecclesiastical and education expertise.

Payne Hicks Beach advises high-net-worth individuals, and private and ecclesiastical grant-making charitable trusts as part of its private client offering.

Gerald Kidd heads the team at Pothecary Witham Weld, which advises a wide range of charities with a particular emphasis on religious organisations.

Consultant Guy Greenhous heads the charities group at RadcliffesLeBrasseur, which advises NHS trusts and education bodies, among others.

Con Alexander heads the ‘excellent’ team at Veale Wasbrough Vizards, which advises the London Symphony Orchestra and the British Fashion Council. Associate Martha Burnige joined in 2010, from Stone King LLP.

‘Maybe equalled but never beaten’, Baker & McKenzie LLP is a popular port of call for high-value, multi-jurisdictional trust disputes. Practice head Anthony Poulton and Andrew Keltie have ‘remarkable knowledge and a wealth of expertise, and are consummate strategists’. The team’s diverse workload includes trust litigation arising from investment losses suffered by trustees and beneficiaries in the credit crunch. Clients appreciate its ‘seemingly limitless resources’ and international capabilities.

The ‘highly capable’ Dawn Goodman heads the 16-lawyer team at Withers LLP, which covers every facet of contentious trust litigation, from large-scale international disputes to cross-border succession issues, domestic disputes and charity legacies. The team acted for the trustees in Futter v Futter, which has significant ramifications for trustees; and also acted in Re MN, the leading case on cross-border incapacity welfare decisions. Paul Hewitt is noted for his ‘in-depth knowledge and sensitive handling of the issues’. The team benefits from the firm’s wide-ranging international network.

Boodle Hatfield fields an excellent contentious trusts and probate team headed by the ‘clever and quick-thinking’ Simon Rylatt. It includes seasoned litigators Sofie Hoffman, who is ‘knowledgeable and practical’, and Will Twidale, noted for his ‘sound judgement’. The team regularly undertakes high-value work for onshore and offshore clients, often with an international dimension. Richard Moyse also has considerable expertise in the area.

Practice head Toby Graham at Farrer & Co is considered an outstanding practitioner, with ‘the highest legal knowledge and skills’ and an ‘extremely pleasant and approachable manner’. He heads an international practice which covers Jersey, Lichtenstein, Bermuda, and the Cayman Islands, among other jurisdictions, and can draw on the wealth of expertise in the firm’s private client practice. The high-quality team includes the ‘disarmingly courteous and on-the-ball’ Jeremy Gordon; the ‘superlative’ Mark Bridges; and ‘experienced and tough litigator’ James Price. Associate Peter Steen, who joined from Mourant Ozannes, is one to watch.

Private client boutique Harcus Sinclair has one of the largest dedicated contentious trusts practices in London. The high-quality team includes standout practitioners Alison Meek, who has a ‘razor-sharp brain’, and is ‘seriously brilliant’; the ‘cerebral and effective’ Damon Parker; and the ‘tenacious’ Lucy Gibson. New partner Jon Beresford is also recommended. Highlights included advising on the estate of a deceased oligarch, and acting in the estate of Robert Kelton, a disputed multimillion-pound estate.

Litigation powerhouse Herbert Smith LLP has an established reputation for contentious trusts and probate work, and has the advantage of being able to draw on expertise across its network of global offices. Fraud and asset tracing specialist Robert Hunter, who heads the trusts litigation group, is ‘extremely impressive, and has fantastic legal and strategic nous’. Standout practitioner Rupert Ticehurst left to join Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

The ‘superb’ Charles Lloyd heads the ‘thorough’ and ‘nice-to-deal-with’ contentious trusts and probate team at Macfarlanes LLP, which handles a mix of complex international litigation, mediation and offshore litigation. The team benefits from the firm’s sterling private client practice, and acts for an impressive client base of entrepreneurs and blue-chip companies. Simon Day ‘gets to grips with the intricacies of a case’, and Nicholas Pryor and Willie Manners are also singled out for praise.

Speechly Bircham LLP has an impressively well-rounded practice that encompasses high-value trust disputes, key trusts and divorce cases, legacy disputes and work for trust companies – such as Equity Trust, Capita Trust and Seymour Trust – in offshore jurisdictions. Graeme Kleiner is in ‘the first rank of contentious trusts litigators in London’, and jointly heads the practice with Andrea Zavos, who ‘combines the judgement of a top-flight commercial litigator with the charm and personability of the perfect private client lawyer’.

The ‘energetic, capable and easy-to-work-with’ Steven Kempster heads an excellent five-partner team at Taylor Wessing LLP, which is underpinned by the firm’s superb private client capability and international reach. Recent highlights include two separate instructions to act in major trust disputes in the Bermuda courts, each involving a trust worth over £2bn. Andrew Hine is highly respected, and noted for his ‘expertise and sound judgement’.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP ramped up its contentious trusts and probates practice with the appointment of Nick Holland as practice head, who joined from Caymans Islands firm Solomon Harris. Its diverse workload includes offshore trustee litigation and complex family disputes. Clients include entrepreneurs, corporate trustees and landed estates.

Senior partner Patrick Russell heads the practice at Charles Russell LLP after the departure of Morven McMillan to Mourant Ozannes in the Cayman Islands in 2010. Suzanne Marriott is ‘an excellent practitioner with good judgement: she fights on pivotal issues, but shows flexibility where needed’.

Jeremy Kosky at Clifford Chance has a good reputation for his stewardship of large-scale trust litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, negligence or fraud, representing trustees, corporates and financial institutions.

Catharine Bell heads the four-partner team at Lawrence Graham LLP, which has a focus on servicing professional trustees and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The team can draw on expertise in Monaco, Dubai and Moscow.

The ‘highly capable’ Tony Morton-Hooper heads the team at Mishcon de Reya, which acted for Dr Christine Gill in the Court of Appeal case RSPCA v Gill, which upheld the decision to overturn her mother’s £2m legacy to the RSPCA. Mark Keenan is recommended for his ‘expertise, enthusiasm and tenacity’.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s commitment to providing a comprehensive private client offering was demonstrated by its hire of ‘brilliant technical expert’ Rupert Ticehurst from Herbert Smith LLP in 2011, who has considerable contentious expertise. Damian Bloom and litigator Ian de Freitas are also recommended. The firm successfully acted for Vivian Imerman in key case Imerman v Tchenguiz.

The ‘knowledgeable’ Emily Mailer and Alan Kaufman head the contentious team at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP, which complements the firm’s private client practice.

Forsters LLP ‘punches above its weight’ in terms of the quality of its contentious instructions, which in 2010 included Chisholm, a key rectification case. Caroline Bassett is ‘top of the tree’, and Emily Exton has ‘sound commercial judgement’.

Contentious trusts and probate is part of the full-service private client practice at Laytons. Ian Burman heads the team.

Niche practice Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP recruited Jenny McKeown and Helena Berman from Mercers to boost its contentious practice. The firm continues to advise the three oldest children of Lord Palumbo in their claim for his removal as trustee.

Stephen King and Graham Brown are the key contacts at Payne Hicks Beach, which advises on diverse matters including UK trust disputes, conflicts between beneficiaries and trustees, and disputes over wills and trust documents.

Michael Cash at Penningtons Solicitors LLP has a first-rate reputation, handling probate cases with ‘calm diplomacy’. Standout instructions included acting in Ferneley v Napier, which clarified the standard of proof required when trying to prove a will where no copy exists. Sian Hodgson is ‘second to none’.

Russell-Cooke LLP has a solid practice which covers probate and administration claims, I(PD)A 1975 claims, and Court of Protection work as well as some trust litigation. Alison Regan is ‘exceptional’ in mediating claims, and Richard Frimston provides expertise in cross-border disputes.

Stephenson Harwood’s contentious trusts practice services its institutional banking client base, particularly offshore trust service providers. The firm has expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional trust litigation.

The ‘extremely competent and sensible’ Paula James heads the London contentious trusts practice of Thomas Eggar LLP.

Hughes Fowler Carruthers Ltd is a leading niche family practice. Capable of handling matters ranging from ancillary relief to the international ‘big-money’ cases, such as Imerman v Imerman, the team receives plaudits for its industry knowledge and professionalism. ‘Kind and forthright, but a formidable adversary’, Frances Hughes has a superb reputation, as do the ‘knowledgeable, efficient and helpful’ Pauline Fowler, ‘incredibly astute’ Joe Vaitilingam, ‘calm and rational’ Alex Carruthers, and ‘talented and effective’ Renato Labi.

Manches LLP has a well-established family law practice which has long had a rightful place at the very forefront of the area. With strength in complex, multi-jurisdictional cases, the firm fields some excellent practitioners; head of the practice Jane Craig, James Stewart and Jo Edwards are all recommended by clients, and ‘first lady of family’ Helen Ward is a ‘formidable and tenacious litigator who never loses sight of her client’s interests’. The team is distinguished by its breadth of expertise across all aspects of family law, and its strength in depth beyond the star names.

The premier practice at Withers LLP encompasses every facet of family work, handling groundbreaking international cases such as Imerman, high-value pre-nups, and ‘leave to remove’ applications. The eight-partner practice receives superb client feedback, with its international reach particularly appreciated. Head of the practice Julian Lipson is ‘brilliant, practical and shrewd’; Suzanne Todd is ‘of exceptional note, full of sympathy and insight’; and Mark Harper, Gill Doran, Michael Gouriet and Diana Parker are noted for their ‘analytical approach while being commercially astute and practical’. In April 2011 the team was further boosted by the arrival of Suzanne Kingston from Dawsons LLP.

Charles Russell LLP has a strong, internationally focused family practice aided by its offices in Geneva and Bahrain. The ‘extremely sound’ Sarah Higgins and ‘unerring’ William Longrigg co-head the team, which includes children’s case specialist Tanya Roberts, who has ‘an extraordinary work ethic’, and ‘strong act’ Erica Shelton. Sarah Whitten and Miranda Fisher are also recommended. The family team also benefits from the firm’s strength in all aspects of private capital.

Simon Bruce heads the ‘exemplary’ seven-partner practice at Farrer & Co, which is complemented by a strong trusts and tax team. Headline cases in 2010 included pre-nup case Radmacher, and Re Robson. ‘Matters are dealt with commercially, quickly, politely and without hostility or needless point scoring’. Clients recommend the ‘pragmatic’ Claire Gordon, ‘insightful’ Jeremy Posnansky QC, ‘first-class and able’ Mark Fenton, and ‘polished and accomplished’ William Massey. The ‘sure-footed’ Veryan Exelby has returned to the practice.

Ian Airey heads the six-partner team at Payne Hicks Beach, which regularly acts for ultra-high-net-worth individuals with assets over £50m. Standout recent work includes acting in the Radmacher case. The ‘excellent’ Fiona Shackleton is the ‘doyenne’ of family law, and is well known for her work for high-profile celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Katie Price. Philip McGuirk, Simon Beccle, Fiona Brown and Harriet Wait are also recommended; their ‘client care is second to none’.

The ‘personable’ Tom Amlot joined Alexiou Fisher Philipps from Harbottle & Lewis LLP in 2011, boosting a team which includes standout practitioners Douglas Alexiou, Jeremy Fisher and Susan Philipps. The firm acts for a diverse client base of entertainers, entrepreneurs, aristocrats and business leaders.

ADR pioneer Family Law in Partnership LLP is a highly supportive and professional practice whose members receive excellent client feedback. Daniel Coombes ‘leaves no stone unturned in his preparation of cases going to trial’; Bradley Williams is ‘a man of integrity’; James Pirrie is ‘very creative and thinks out of the box’; David Allison is ‘highly responsive’ and ‘dedicated to the welfare of clients’; and Gillian Bishop and Nicole Hackett are also recommended. The team has a successful track record in appeals, recently acting in the Golubovich case, which established that the English courts should recognise decrees of divorce competently made elsewhere.

‘Class act’ Levison Meltzer Pigott handles all aspects of family law from complex finance to international divorce cases. The outstanding team includes ‘shrewd tactician’ Jeremy Levison, who ‘inspires total confidence’; Simon Pigott, who is ‘charming but with a steely core’; the highly rated Alison Hayes, who is ‘no nonsense and clear’; and the ‘clever and astute’ Julian Ribet.

The ‘experienced and responsive’ Sandra Davis heads the four-partner team at Mishcon de Reya, which acts for a raft of high-net-worth individuals, including those in the public eye. Barbara Reeves is ‘pragmatic, supportive and knowledgeable’, and Melissa Lesson is ‘excellent on child-related issues’.

Stewarts Law LLP continues to gain ground with instructions on a slew of complex, high-value cases. Stephen Foster heads an ‘exceptionally strong’ four-partner team which includes big hitters Emma Hatley (‘very pleasant with endless time for her clients’) and the ‘knowledgeable and proficient’ Debbie Chism. The team was boosted by the arrival of ‘star in the making’ Richard Hogwood from Speechly Bircham LLP.

Bindmans LLP has a superlative reputation for its private and public children’s law work, recently acting on the first-ever family referral to the Court of Justice of the EU. The practice also has significant expertise in international child abduction matters. Practice head Katherine Gieve is ‘astute, assiduous, intelligent and tenacious’, and ‘chases down each issue to great effect’; and Liz Dronfield’s advice is ‘pitch perfect’.

Maggie Rae heads the practice at Clintons, which regularly acts for high-profile individuals in the music and sports industries. Recent work includes various complex ancillary relief and adoption matters. Liz Vernon is recommended.

Collyer Bristow LLP has a ‘quality’ family practice which handles a range of work, from complex finance cases to multi-jurisdictional pre-nups and contested ancillary relief claims. The ‘committed’ Toby Yerburgh heads a strong team which includes standout practitioners Michael Drake, Gillian Rivers and father-and-son duo Geoffrey Rutter and Philip Rutter. The team provides ‘a Magic Circle service without the Magic Circle fees’.

Dawson Cornwell’s varied workload includes complex international cases involving the recovery of foreign assets, and children cases. John Cornwell is highly rated for divorce work, while Anne-Marie Hutchinson is a ‘go-to’ lawyer for children matters. Clients also recommend the ‘responsive’ Carolina Marin Pedreño, and the ‘knowledgeable and extremely honest’ Lucy Marks. Jeremy Abraham joined from Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP, bringing a well-established practice.

Kingsley Napley LLP is ‘first rate’ for complex international family cases, whether children or family money are concerned, and has ‘an excellent understanding of cross-border issues’. The ‘outstanding’ Jane Keir heads the practice, which includes Duncan Ranton, an ‘excellent lawyer with a pragmatic approach’; the ‘vastly experienced’ Michael Rowlands; ‘utterly meticulous’ surrogacy specialist Miranda Baker; and the highly rated Charlotte Bradley and Emily Moore.

Founder Miles Preston is the key contact at Miles Preston & Co, which covers the full remit of family law, from pre-nups to complex financial cases which require international expertise. Anna Nice is recommended by clients.

Raymond Tooth at Sears Tooth is a ‘seasoned’ practitioner with a reputation as a formidable opponent, and a good choice for clients requiring uncompromising commitment to a cause. He is a lawyer of choice for ultra-high-net worth individuals, particularly in ancillary relief proceedings.

At Boodle Hatfield, practice heads Barbara Simpson and James Ferguson are ‘outstanding’ practitioners, and Anne Kay is ‘up and coming’. The team regularly advises high-net-worth individuals in complex financial and ancillary relief proceedings.

The ‘diligent and courteous’ Ann Northover and ‘personable’ Shona Alexander head the family team at Forsters LLP, which regularly handles complex international cases for high-net-worth individuals, including a raft of multi-jurisdictional pre-nups. The ‘quality’ team can also draw on the considerable trusts and tax expertise at the firm.

Goodman Ray has an excellent reputation for both public and private chidren’s law cases, ranging from international adoption to child abduction matters. The firm also has a growing ancillary relief practice. Peggy Ray inspires ‘complete confidence’; Jemma Dally is ‘totally committed to clients’; and Trudi Featherstone is a ‘highly effective litigator’.

Gordon Dadds regularly acts for high-net-worth individuals, including celebrities and household names, in complex finance cases as well as children matters. The ‘excellent’ David Ruck and ‘superb’ Anna Wagstaff head the practice.

Niche firm Harcus Sinclair has recently handled a number of instructions from trustees seeking matrimonial law advice when faced with a divorcing beneficiary, drawing on the firm’s wealth of trusts and tax expertise. The ‘experienced’ Roger Cobden-Ramsay and ‘extremely competent’ Kathryn Peat co-head the team.

The diverse practice at Hunters includes urgent child abduction cases and high-value pre-nuptial agreements. Henry Hood co-heads the team with consultant Martyn Daldorph, and is valued for ‘guiding clients through the divorce procedure with charm and efficiency’. Hetty Gleave is also highly rated.

The ‘insightful and flawless’ Elizabeth Hicks at Irwin Mitchell LLP oversees a high-calibre international practice, which was boosted by the arrival of ‘consummate professional’ John Nicholson from Speechly Bircham LLP, who has ‘excellent analytical skills’.

Osbornes handles complex and challenging cases for the legal aid sector and also a growing stable of wealthy international clients. The firm receives glowing plaudits from clients: practice head Julian Beard ‘knows his stuff’; Lisa Pepper is ‘constructive and smiling whatever the challenges’; and Mark Freedman is a ‘tough negotiator’.

Fiona Read heads the wide-ranging practice at Russell-Cooke LLP, and is ‘a tenacious opponent who handles high-quality work’. James Carroll is also recommended.

Christopher Butler has a good reputation at ‘classy outfit’ Speechly Bircham LLP, and James Freeman is ‘a superb technical lawyer’. The team can draw on the firm’s considerable trusts and estates expertise.

Lisa Bolgar Smith heads the team at Ambrose Appelbe, which provides ‘an excellent level of service’. Catherine Thomas is highly rated by clients.

Anthony Gold has a solid family team headed by Kim Beatson. It is ‘knowledgeable and helpful, and has quick response times’.

The ‘efficient’ Sian Jones heads the family team at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, which acted in the Robson case in the Court of Appeal. John Darnton is recommended for his expertise in complex disputes.

Practice head Pamela Collis is recommended at CKFT (Cawdery Kaye Fireman & Taylor), for ‘her ability to communicate with clients and reach a sensible compromise’. In 2010 the team was boosted by the arrival of ancillary relief specialist Emma Morris from Rooks Rider Solicitors LLP.

Niche ancillary relief firm Camilla Baldwin Solicitors has a solid reputation. Camilla Baldwin and Penny Seguss are recommended.

John Burrell heads the family team at Davenport Lyons, which regularly handles pre-nups, divorce and cohabitation disputes.

Alan Kaufman at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP has an impressive reputation for his ‘practical and client-centred’ attitude.

Senior partner Eileen Pembridge heads the family team at Fisher Meredith LLP, while Maria Healy has a strong reputation for children matters.

Toby Hales heads the expanding matrimonial finance team at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP, which also fields an experienced children’s law team.

‘Conscientious and hardworking’, Caroline Penfold heads the team at RadcliffesLeBrasseur, which regularly acts in high-value divorce proceedings.

The International Family Law Group LLP’s Punam Denley, Lucy Greenwood and Carolynn Usher attract plaudits from clients, as does managing partner Ann Thomas. The team is ‘organised, empathetic and strategically excellent’.

Vardags’ Ayesha Vardag is ‘dynamic and sympathetic, and a tough negotiator’. The firm acted in the Radmacher case.

Niche practice Bross Bennett LLP Family Law Solicitors fields a team of able practitioners including the ‘tireless’ Adam Witkover and ‘intelligent and capable’ Sharon Bennett, handling high-calibre instructions involving matrimonial finance and children proceedings.

Alison Burt at Covent Garden Family Law has particular expertise in children matters.

Children-focused practice Duncan Lewis & Co provides ‘a personal service’ to its clients, with Laila Bhunnoo and Ritu Sood particularly recommended.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP has an excellent track record of advising its prestigious media client base on ancillary relief and other family matters, but will miss Tom Amlot, who left to join Alexiou Fisher Philipps.

Catherine Bedford at Lee & Thompson is a ‘very able’ lawyer who ‘gets the best result for the client’.

The London practice at Mills & Reeve LLP benefits from the firm’s strength in the regions. Roger Bamber and David Salter are particularly recommended.

The ‘extremely sound’ Julia Thackray at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is ‘highly experienced’ in complex finance cases, and specialises in divorce and children cases with an international element.

Teresa Cullen and Philippa Dolan at Rochman Landau are ‘professional, and inspire confidence’.

Schillings is well known for its celebrity client base, for which it handles divorce and private children matters. Keith Schilling and Rachel Atkins are recommended.

Deborah Jeff provides an ‘excellent’ level of service at Seddons.

T V Edwards LLP is recommended following its merger with Blacklaws Davis LLP Solicitors.The ‘friendly and knowledgeable’ Maud Davis is a popular choice for children proceedings.

Farrer & Co has a team of ‘exceptional’ lawyers advising on every aspect of heritage property, encompassing tax exemptions, ownership disputes and complex loans. It benefits from the firm’s expertise across the private client spectrum, and its unparallelled client base of traditional landed estates, as well as art dealers, international and private banks, and cultural institutions. The ‘highly intelligent’ Mike Chantler is the ‘go-to’ lawyer for ‘any matter of national heritage’, and Edward Manisty has ‘boundless energy and drive, and a technical mastery of the law of heritage property taxation without equal’. The ‘knowledgeable’ James Carleton and Adrian Parkhouse are also recommended.

Boodle Hatfield provides ‘excellent’ heritage property advice as part of its impressive private client and landed estate practice. The team, headed by Sue Laing, regularly advises the owners of historic houses and works of art, and charities, on complex tax structuring, sales and purchases, and provenance issues. Natasha Hassall is recommended for her expertise in landed estates.

Charles Russell LLP has dedicated expertise in heritage property, advising private individuals, trustees and art galleries on matters such as tax arrangements, loans, and sales and purchases. Robert Blower is well respected by clients and peers alike, for his ‘knowledge and skill’ in the sector. Bart Peerless and Suzanne Marriott are also considered ‘commercially and legally on the button’.

The highly experienced Ceris Gardner heads the heritage property practice at Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP, which is part of the firm’s comprehensive private client offering. The team advises charities, private individuals and galleries on loans, tax and related matters, and has also been lobbying for a revival of gift aid for heritage property.

The ‘excellent’ Karen Sanig heads the art law group at Mishcon de Reya, which regularly acts for private individuals, auction houses, national and international collectors, and governments on heritage issues, drawing on the firm’s expertise in property, tax and wealth management. The team is ‘well resourced, with good sector knowledge’.

Speechly Bircham LLP has a number of prominent clients, including landowners, trusts and galleries. Highlights for 2010 included acting in a dispute with the Art Loss Register in connection with a Winslow Homer painting withdrawn from auction as a result of a competing owner’s claim. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Art Foundation is a major client. William Hancock heads the cross-departmental team.

The art and cultural assets practice at Withers LLP is headed by the ‘exceptional’ Pierre Valentin, who is ‘prompt to respond and concise in his advice’, and ‘creative and conscientious’. The practice has a broad remit, covering not only tax-related work for chattels but also art transactions, art regulatory issues and art finance. Highlights included resolving a Holocaust-related ownership dispute, and advising on the return to Italy of the Benevento Missal, which was unlawfully removed during WWII.

Collyer Bristow LLP’s head of private client Andrew Dixon has experience in heritage tax matters, such as acceptance in lieu of IHT arrangements and private sales.

Currey & Co is a discreet firm with a reputation for ‘quality’ advice, handling heritage concerns for its traditional landed estate client base. Peter Bostock has considerable experience in the area.

IP and media specialist Mark Stephens handles heritage property matters at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP. The team regularly acts for well-known galleries, private individuals and trustees. Recent work includes advising the Museum of Art, Oxford on the digitalisation of its archive, and sculptor Mark Wallinger on his public commission at Ebbsfleet, Kent. Daniel McClean, formerly of Withers LLP, now acts as an art consultant to the practice.

Forsters LLP has a ‘knowledgeable’ team including David Robinson, Rupert Mead and Catherine Hill, who is a consultant to the practice. It regularly advises private individuals with significant collections – as well as investors, auction houses and museums – on the complex tax rules affecting heritage chattels and land.

John Owen heads the heritage property practice at Hunters, which fields a number of talented practitioners. Senior partner Joe Richardson is ‘a leader in this area’; Jonathan Godwin-Austen has ‘a creative mind which pinpoints the practicalities’; and the partners are supported by an ‘able team’. It recently advised on the complex consequences of a decision to terminate conditional exemption from CGT for a substantial house, gardens and parkland.

Macfarlanes LLP has considerable expertise in tax planning for chattels, including conditional exemptions, and advises a number of landed estates with significant art collections.

Lincoln’s Inn firm May, May & Merrimans has considerable experience in advising its stable of traditional landed estate clients and wealthy individuals on heritage tax planning. Roddy Steen heads the practice.

Payne Hicks Beach provides tax advice for chattels as part of its full-service private client offering.

Capable of handling the most complex tax and trusts matters for its entrepreneurial client base, the team at Macfarlanes LLP is hard to beat. The team is renowned for the exceptional consistency of its lawyers, notably the ‘smart and articulate’ Sebastian Prichard Jones, ‘outstanding’ Jonathan Conder, ‘first-rate’ Helen Darling, ‘experienced’ Edward Reed, and ‘hands-on and imaginative’ Piers Barclay. Clients appreciate the ‘incredible intellectual ability’ of the team, and its ‘cutting-edge’ advice. Oliver Court is one to watch.

Withers LLP has an ‘exceptional’ practice, led by Richard Cassell and ranging from personal tax and succession planning to charitable legacies, international probate and family offices. Clients appreciate the firm’s international reach, particularly in the US, and consistently rate Penelope Williams, Samantha Morgan, Katie Graves, John Riches and Sophie Dworetzsky. Recent hires include Olga Boltenko from Hogan Lovells International LLP.

Baker & McKenzie LLP is a regular port of call for ultra-high-net worth individuals, private banks and institutions, for advice on complex international trust structures as well as the full range of private client matters. The team has a flourishing Russia/CIS practice, aided by the firm’s global network of offices. Star practitioners Paul Stibbard and Ashley Crossley are ‘technically excellent’, and the team’s ‘cultural awareness’ and ‘in-depth and detailed knowledge of tax issues’ are a major draw for clients. Nigel Beadsworth is up and coming.

The ‘highly commercial’ team at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has upped its game with some astute lateral hires: the ‘bright’ Murray North from Clifford Chance in 2009, and ‘star’ practitioner Rupert Ticehurst from Herbert Smith LLP in 2011. The team includes Paul Whitehead, Damian Bloom and Jonathan Kropman, and advises domestic and international ultra-high-net-worth individuals on personal tax and complex trusts, aided by Simon Michaels in Singapore. Simon Phelps is rated for his ‘excellent business and strategic sense, together with superior interpersonal skills’.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP fields a strong team of practitioners including new department head Helen Ratcliffe, noted for her ‘shrewd commercial awareness, and sympathetic handling’; the ‘affable and incisive’ James Johnston; and the ‘responsive and effective’ Stephen Lewin . The team is considered to put a high store on technical knowledge, and receives plaudits for its close attention to client service. Hugo Smith is one to watch.

Boodle Hatfield has a first-rate practice with a predominantly domestic focus, headed by the ‘skilled’ Sue Laing. It acts for significant landed estates, as well as high-net-worth individuals and trustees, advising on personal tax, succession planning, probate and family trusts. Other recommended practitioners are Richard Moyse and Karen Marks.

Charles Russell LLP has a comprehensive and ‘user-friendly’ private client practice capable of advising on complex domestic and international trusts and tax structuring, aided on the international side by the firm’s offices in Geneva and Bahrain. Robert Partridge heads the team, which gives ‘pragmatic and timely’ advice to its stable of institutional and high-net-worth clients. Also recommended are the ‘personable and highly competent’ Bart Peerless; ‘perfect homme d ’affaires’ Piers Masters; the ‘vastly experienced’ David Long; and the ‘technically excellent and insightful’ Robert Blower.

With an 18-partner practice, Farrer & Co provides an ‘impeccable’ service to clients from the old and new worlds of private wealth. The team regularly advises on complex domestic and international tax and trust structuring, and also provides complementary, high-level expertise in charity law and property, particularly for sizeable landed estates. The high-quality team is headed by the ‘dedicated’ Jim Edmondson, and includes the ‘utterly charming and commercially astute’ Mark Bridges; the ‘capable’ Russell Cohen, who chairs the international private wealth group; and the ‘personable’ Sarah von Schmidt.

Forsters LLP has an expanding practice handling both domestic and offshore tax and trusts planning. Standout practitioners include Fiona Smith, who is ‘very knowledgeable and solutions orientated’; the ‘thoughtful’ Patrick Harney; and ‘problem solver’ Eliza Mellor. Practice head David Robinson is also recommended.

Boutique firm Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP is a quality outfit that continues to grow, taking on three new solicitors in 2010. The team handles sophisticated trust and tax planning for international and domestic clients, and includes luminaries Clare Maurice, Arabella Saker, Richard Turnor, Jennifer Chambers, and Emma-Jane Weider, and rising star Tessa Hulton.

Speechly Bircham LLP has demonstrated a considerable commitment to its private client practice, building considerable expertise in domestic and international tax and trust structuring, succession planning, family offices and complex cross-border probate. The ‘approachable’ team includes the ‘technically strong’ William Begley; the ‘very good’ Charles Gothard; Mark Summers, a ‘“go-to” on complex jurisdictional matters’; the ‘highly competent’ Sanjvee Shah; and the ‘knowledgeable’ John Ward, as well as a promising clutch of associates including Sangna Chauhan and Alice Neilan.

The well-rounded private client practice at Taylor Wessing LLP provides high-level advice on all aspects of personal tax and trusts to its international business client base and a number of significant landed estates. The team, headed by the ‘creative, quick and patient’ Mark Buzzoni, receives plaudits from peers and clients alike; it is ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and comfortable with complex international tax planning’. Nick Warr, Andrew Hine and Andrew Goodman are highly rated, as is rising star Nyree Craig.

Although eschewing the limelight, Currey & Co should not be underrated. Edward Perks and William Swan are commended for their ‘very solid approach, delivered with great sensitivity of manner’.

Boutique firm Harcus Sinclair provides a premier service which belies its size. With a comprehensive remit including a large international trust practice, it fields a number of standout practitioners; the ‘very capable’ Lucy Gibson and founding partner Keith Bruce-Smith are frequently cited by clients.

Lincoln’s Inn firm Hunters delivers a ‘personalised, high-quality’ service to its client base of landed estates and investment and offshore funds. The ‘very capable’ Graham Ogilvie and ‘astute’ Edward Martineau co-head the practice, which includes heavyweights Lucinda Tite, Jonathan Godwin-Austen, Joe Richardson and John Owen. In 2011 it merged with boutique firm Vernor-Miles & Noble.

Lawrence Graham LLP has a strong and cohesive team primarily serving high-net-worth international clients, with a particular focus on the Middle East, and regularly advising on complex fiduciary structures and family corporate governance issues. Department head Anthony Thompson is the ‘go-to’ contact, rated for his ‘practical approach to complex problems and calm, assured manner’. Other standout practitioners are Caroline Garnham, Nick Jacob and Catharine Bell.

Payne Hicks Beach provides high-net-worth individuals with a ‘discreet’ service, from probate and succession planning to complex tax structuring. James Bacon is ‘a very capable trusts lawyer’, while tax specialist Christopher Sly is ‘excellent: user-friendly and personable’. Alice Palmer and Alastair Murdie jointly head the private client practice. Louise Stoten, Marcus Parker and Jane Bennett left to set up niche firm New Quadrant Partners LLP.

Lesley Lintott heads the newly merged team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP, which is ‘responsive and able’, and now fields six partners in London, including former Dawsons LLP partners Wynne Thomas and Neil Morris, who boost the practice’s offshore expertise. The practice covers domestic and offshore tax and trust planning, cross-border probate and succession planning. Clare Archer also joined, from Rooks Rider.

The ‘well-connected and commercial’ Robert Broderick heads the team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, which handles complex tax and trusts structuring for landed estates, non-doms and a significant client base of high-net-worth Middle Eastern clients. Jamie Atwell is ‘thoughtful and accomplished’.

Andrew Dixon heads the five-partner practice at Collyer Bristow LLP, which benefits from the firm’s Geneva office. The practice handles domestic and international tax and trust planning, cross-border probate and succession planning. Rosamond McDowell and senior partner John Saner are popular with clients.

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP has a well-rounded private client practice which predominantly advises clients drawn from the sports, media and arts spheres on personal tax, trusts and related matters. Practice head Liz Palmer is considered ‘very good technically: a pleasure to work with’; and Michael Lewis ‘comes up with practical solutions’.

Herbert Smith LLP will miss the ‘sure-footed’ expertise of Rupert Ticehurst, a ‘first-rate’ practitioner who has moved to Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. ‘Legal goliath’ John Wood remains a consultant to the practice, which can draw on the firm’s strength in complex, large-scale litigation.

Laytons covers the full scope of personal tax, succession planning and wills. The ‘approachable’ Ian Burman heads the team, and clients also rate the ‘knowledgeable’ Philip Laidlow.

Lincoln’s Inn firm May, May & Merrimans has an established reputation for its traditional private client practice, advising landed estates and high-net-worth individuals on personal tax, family trusts, succession planning and probate. Alexandra Sarkis heads the team, and the ‘personable’ Charlotte Simm is praised for her ‘attention to detail’.

Rooks Rider Solicitors LLP has a ‘competent’ practice split into an offshore team headed by Chris Cooke, and a domestic practice headed by Christopher Wright. Clients include both UK and international high-net-worth individuals and trustees.

Practice head Richard Frimston at Russell-Cooke LLP has considerable expertise in cross-jurisdictional tax planning. Michael Parkinson is also recommended.

William Wyldbore-Smith and Jim Sawer are recommended at Thrings LLP, which specialises in Court of Protection work, capital tax planning and succession issues, as well as wills and probate.

Wedlake Bell LLP has a highly capable private client practice which includes the ‘approachable and experienced’ Robert Dolman; Fay Copeland; practice head Eleanor Metcalf; Emma Loveday; and Charles Hicks. The team is ‘always courteous, reassuring and efficient’, and advises on the full range of private client matters including personal tax, trust structuring, cross-border probate and succession planning.

The ‘knowledgeable and sound’ Hugh MacDougald heads an ‘exemplary’ private client practice at Winckworth Sherwood, which advises private individuals, trustees and executors on domestic and international tax and trust structuring. It is noted for its ‘high service levels, with considerable strength in depth’. Tim Snaith is also recommended.

New market entrant Berkeley Law, set up by former Lawrence Graham LLP partners, has made an impressive start. The five-partner team advises high-net worth individuals, particularly non-doms, and also trust companies and trustees. ‘Extremely able’ managing partner Nick Rucker is ‘excellent on financial structures geared towards the institutional client’; Alex Ruffel is ‘technically great’; Tim Thornton Jones is ‘discreet and warm’; and Glenn Hurstfield ‘provides imaginative solutions’.

Burges Salmon LLP competes in London through the work of Charles Wyld and Tom Hewitt, who are ‘strong and able’ practitioners. The team can draw on the firm’s considerable expertise in agricultural law, as well as handling tax and trust structuring for UK and overseas clients.

The private client practice at Davenport Lyons advises the firm’s media clients on personal tax, trusts and probate. ‘Clever, knowledgeable and accurate’ practice head Jeffrey Cohen is ‘full of novel but workable ideas on tax and estate planning, and certainly thinks out of the box’. Leslie Powell and Linda Courtney are also recommended.

The ‘efficient’ Penny Wotton heads the team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, which handles all aspects of domestic and international tax and trusts planning, including UK and offshore trusts and international estate planning.

Fladgate LLP’s David Way and Antonia Brandes are highly rated for their ‘fast responses, availability and accuracy of advice’. The team advises on the full range of private client matters, with Brandes offering particular expertise in the tax-efficient structuring of property transactions.

Goodman Derrick LLP provides tailored wills and probate, personal tax and succession planning advice. Ian Bradshaw heads the practice.

Private tax planning is a string to the bow of media firm Harbottle & Lewis LLP, headed by managing partner Glen Atchison.

Cordelia Brand heads Howard Kennedy’s cross-departmental wealth protection practice, which handles onshore and offshore trust and tax matters for wealthy clients.

Nigel Reid at Linklaters LLP advises wealthy families on trusts and complex tax planning.

‘Elder statesman’ Colin Russell heads the four-partner team at Manches LLP, which delivers ‘sound and effective advice’ on trusts, probate and succession planning for both UK and international clients.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has a good reputation in the US for its private client practice. The London offering has an emphasis on international work with cross-border issues, as well as providing advice on English law matters. The ‘supremely knowledgeable’ Martyn Gowar heads the UK team, which is ‘fast, efficient and ahead of all the questions’.

Helena Whitmore and Anders Grundberg head the team at McGuireWoods London LLP, which has ‘a refreshingly proactive and innovative outlook’ on international and UK tax work.

Andrew Goldstone at Mishcon de Reya has a good reputation for complex domestic and international tax planning.

Niche three-partner practice PWT Advice is consistently recommended by clients for its ‘pragmatic and clear approach’ to complex tax planning and offshore structuring. Jo Summers is the key contact.

At RadcliffesLeBrasseur, Simon Goldring advises high-net-worth individuals on all aspects of private wealth, both domestic and international. The highly rated Guy Greenhous is now a consultant to the practice.

John Toth heads a solid domestic and offshore practice at Rochman Landau.

David Ainslie is highly rated at Stone King LLP; he is ‘efficient and well organised’ and has ‘a sensible and practical approach to clients ’ problems’. The practice covers tax and trust structuring, probate and succession planning.

Nicola Plant heads the London private client team at Thomas Eggar LLP, which can draw on the firm’s expertise across the south of England.

Veale Wasbrough Vizards has a number of outstanding practitioners, notably practice head Tony Millson, Christine Green and Michael Byrne. The team is ‘thoroughly competent, efficient and very commercial’.