United Kingdom > London > Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
Index of tables
Personal tax, trusts and probate
Leading individuals
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- Mark Bridges Farrer & Co
- Graham Brown Payne Hicks Beach
- Keith Bruce-Smith Harcus Sinclair
- Ian Burman Laytons
- Mark Buzzoni Taylor Wessing LLP
- Richard Cassell Withers LLP
- Bart Peerless Charles Russell LLP
- Russell Cohen Farrer & Co
- Jonathan Conder Macfarlanes LLP
- Ashley Crossley Baker & McKenzie LLP
- Jim Edmondson Farrer & Co
- Lucy Gibson Harcus Sinclair
- Andrew Hine Taylor Wessing LLP
- James Johnston Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
- Sue Laing Boodle Hatfield
- David Long Charles Russell LLP
- Richard Moyse Boodle Hatfield
- Graham Ogilvie Hunters
- Robert Partridge Charles Russell LLP
- Simon Phelps Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Nicholas Powell Currey & Co
- Richard Powles Farrer & Co
- Edward Reed Macfarlanes LLP
- Helen Ratcliffe Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
- John Riches Withers LLP
- David Robinson Forsters LLP
- Arabella Saker Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP
- Paul Stibbard Baker & McKenzie LLP
- Sarah Stowell Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
- Anthony Thompson Lawrence Graham LLP
- Robin Vos Macfarlanes LLP
- John Ward Speechly Bircham LLP
- Simon Weil Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
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’.