- United Kingdom - Solicitors
- United Kingdom - The Bar
- United States
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Deutschland
- Paris
- Tax Directors Handbook
THE LEGAL 500'S GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA'S RISING STARS
- The Lex 100
- Firms in the spotlight
- Interviews with
- What is The Legal 500?
- Meet the team
- How can my law firm get involved?
- Research calendar
- The Legal 500 on Twitter
- Contact us
- Other Legalease products
ABOUT US
AVAILABLE NOW...
GC Powerlist:
China 2019INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION POWERLIST
UNITED KINGDOM
- The Legal Business Awards
- Enterprise GC
- The Legal 500 UK Awards 2019
- The changing role of in-house counsel in Europe
- The Legal 500's Guide to Australia's Rising Stars
- Middle East Disputes Summit 2019
- The Legal Business Global London Roundtable Dinner 2019
- Doing business in Central America
- GC Summit Russia
- The development of Colombian compliance and anti-corruption legislation
- Cost-effective arbitration in Kuwait
- European GC's use of tech - AI Special
- The quantum of equality The women lawyers redefining disputes
- Crisis prevention and management roundtable in Shanghai
- Legal Business 100 Roundtable
- Legal Business Legal Technology Roundtable
- Leadership insight
- Human rights insight
- MINT: the legal challenges of working and investing in emerging economies
- Response to Brexit
- An investigation of the GCC and Middle East legal market
- Litigation and regulatory challenges in financial services
- AI and the law tools of tomorrow:
A special report - Scottish GCs
- North West clients
- COMPANIES
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
- Baker McKenzie
- DLA Piper
- World Services Group
- Eversheds Sutherland
- RPC
- Clifford Chance
- KPMG
- PayPal
- GC DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION REPORTS
- Shaping diversity
- A Numbers Game: Diversity in Europe
- Barbara Levi Mager describes Sandoz's approach to diversity
- Louise Pentland discusses putting diversity front and centre at PayPal
- Prash Naik (Channel 4) talks about the 360 Diversity Charter
- Ian Johnson explains the strategic importance of inclusive work environments
The Legal 500 Hall of Fame highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence. The Hall of Fame highlights, to clients, the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession. In the United Kingdon, the criteria for entry is to have been recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the elite leading lawyers for eight years. These partners are highlighted below and throughout the editorial.
Click here for more details
United Kingdom > Wales > Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings
Editorial
- Overview
- Corporate and commercial
- Crime, fraud and licensing
- Dispute resolution
- Finance
- Human resources
- Insurance
- Private client
- Projects, energy and natural resources
- Public sector
- Real estate
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Other
-
Elsewhere in the UK
- Dispute resolution
- Agriculture and estates
- Charities and not-for-profit
- Contentious trusts and probate
- Family
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: elsewhere in East Anglia
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Ipswich
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Peterborough
- Agriculture and estates
- Charities and not-for-profit
- Contentious trusts and probate
- Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx
- Family: Essex
- Family: Hampshire
- Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
The Bar
-
London Bar
- Set overviews: England and Wales
- Administrative and public law (including local government)
- Agriculture
- Aviation
- Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
- Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- Charities
- Children law (including public and private law)
- Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police)
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial litigation
- Commodities
- Company and partnership
- Competition
- Construction
- Consumer
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Data protection
- Defamation and privacy
- Education
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment
- EU Law
- Family (including divorce and financial remedy)
- Financial services regulation
- Fraud: civil
- Fraud: crime
- Health and safety
- Immigration (including business immigration)
- Inquests and inquiries
- Insolvency
- Insurance and reinsurance
- Intellectual property
- International arbitration: arbitrators
- International arbitration: counsel
- International crime and extradition
- IT and telecoms
- Licensing
- Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property)
- Offshore
- Pensions
- Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- Planning
- Police law (defendant)
- Private client: personal tax
- Private client: trusts and probate
- Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture
- Product liability
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- Professional negligence
- Property litigation
- Public international law
- Public procurement
- Shipping
- Social housing
- Sport
- Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax
- Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
-
Regional Bar
-
Midland Circuit
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law
- Construction, planning and environment
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and children law
- Immigration
- Inquests and inquiries
- Leading Sets
- Personal injury
- Property
- Public law
- Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
-
Midland Circuit
-
North Eastern Circuit
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law
- Construction, planning and environment
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and children law
- Immigration
- Inquests and inquiries
- Leading Sets
- Personal injury
- Property
- Public law
- Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law
- Construction, planning and environment
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and children law
- Immigration
- Inquests and inquiries
- Leading Sets
- Personal injury
- Property
- Public law
- Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law
- Construction, planning and environment
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and children law
- Immigration
- Inquests and inquiries
- Leading Sets
- Personal injury
- Property
- Public law
- Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
- Clinical negligence
- Commercial, banking, insolvency and Chancery law
- Construction, planning and environment
- Costs
- Court of Protection and community care
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and children law
- Immigration
- Inquests and inquiries
- Leading Sets
- Personal injury
- Property
- Public law
- Regulatory, health and safety, and licensing
- Stables overview
- Market overview
- Civil liberties, human rights, public inquiries, and public and administrative law (including local government)
- Commercial litigation
- Company and insolvency
- Crime
- Employment
- Family and childcare
- Health and safety, and regulatory
- Intellectual property, information technology and media
- Personal injury and clinical negligence
- Planning, environmental and licensing
- Professional negligence
- Property, construction and agriculture
- Tax, trusts and pensions
-
London
-
Corporate and commercial
- Overview
- Commercial contracts
- Corporate tax
- Equity capital markets – mid-large cap
- Equity capital markets – small-mid cap
- EU and competition
- EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs
- Financial services: contentious
- Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
- M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m
- M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m
- M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £500m+
- Partnership
- Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+)
- Private equity: transactions – mid-tier – up to £250m
- VAT and indirect tax
- Venture capital
-
Corporate and commercial
- Crime, fraud and licensing
- Overview
- Acquisition finance
- Asset based lending
- Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Corporate restructuring & insolvency
- Debt capital markets
- Derivatives (including commodities)
- Emerging markets
- High yield
- Islamic finance
- Structured products and securitisation
- Trade finance
- Transport finance & leasing
- Overview
- Australian firms in London
- Canadian firms in London
- European firms in London: Benelux
- European firms in London: France
- European firms in London: Germany
- European firms in London: Ireland
- European firms in London: Italy
- European firms in London: Russia
- European firms in London: Scandinavia
- European firms in London: Spain
- European firms in London: Switzerland
- Indian firms in London
- Latin American firms in London
- Offshore firms in London
- Overview
- Clinical negligence: claimant
- Clinical negligence: defendant
- Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- Insurance litigation: for policyholders
- Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- Insurance: insolvency and restructuring
- Personal injury: claimant
- Personal injury: defendant
- Product liability: claimant
- Product liability: defendant
- Professional negligence
- Overview
- Commercial property: corporate occupiers
- Commercial property: development
- Commercial property: hotels and leisure
- Commercial property: investment
- Commercial property: retail
- Construction: contentious
- Contruction: non-contentious
- Environment
- Planning
- Property finance
- Property litigation
- Residential property
- Social housing: finance
- Social housing: local authorities and registered providers
- Social housing: tenant
All countries
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latin America: International firms
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St Lucia
- St Vincent
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Index of tables
Personal tax, trusts and probate
-
1
-
2
- Blake Morgan LLP
- Geldards LLP
-
Howells Solicitors -
Hutchinson Thomas -
JCP Solicitors
-
3
-
Douglas-Jones Mercer -
NewLaw Solicitors
-
-
4
-
Berry Smith
-
Leading individuals
-
1
- Sarah Cash - Hugh James
- Eleanor Evans - Hugh James
- Claire Johnson - Geldards LLP
-
Laith Khatib
-
Howells Solicitors
Next Generation Partners
-
1
-
Rhian Williams
-
Hutchinson Thomas
-
Rhian Williams
-
Rising stars
-
1
- Nicky Sherrard - Blake Morgan LLP
- Anne Taylor - Geldards LLP
With over 30 fee-earners providing wealth management services, Hugh James provides the largest private client offering in Wales and is consequently able to provide comprehensive contentious and non-contentious services to both private individuals and fiduciary clients, including a volume will writing offering. Sarah Cash provides a 'high level of service' to high-net-worth individuals on their tax planning, as well as the administration of their estates. Eleanor Evans is also recommended and specialises in estates and trusts administration on behalf of financial institution and trust corporation clients.
Practice head(s):Matthew Evans and Roman Kubiak
Other key lawyers:Sarah Cash; Eleanor Evans; Alun Jones; Andrew Jones; Gareth Wisdom
Testimonials
The team makes us feel like a valued client with regular contact and engagement to keep us updated every step of the way with their estate administration service.
Consistently reliable, with a broad range of services and a proven ability to deliver the personal touch on volume.
Alun Jones and Sarah Cash fully appreciate how the markets work and we have in-depth discussions regarding the underlying investments.
Eleanor Evans is excellent and admirably open to feedback
Gareth Wisdom has become a trusted source for solutions, opinion, and market insight
Work highlights
- Acting on behalf of a major high street bank on the administration of a £2m estate comprising of a large garage complex, two properties and farm land.
- Acting on behalf of a major high street bank on the administration of an estate across multiple jurisdictions.
Able to leverage the firm's significant corporate client base and also regularly instructed on a standalone ad-hoc basis by high-net-worth individuals, Blake Morgan LLP's team has a strong reputation across estate administration, trusts and succession planning. The 'very professional' Lisa Davies heads up the four-strong Cardiff team that is also able to tap into the resources and expertise of practitioners throughout the firm's UK offices, should the need arise. Recently promoted to senior associate, Nicky Sherrard regularly deals with the high value administration of estates and trust matters to include overseas assets, agricultural and business property.
Practice head(s):Lisa Davies
Other key lawyers:Nicky Sherrard; Ben Coulson
Testimonials
The firm has an exceptional attitude to ensuring the technical aspects of a matter are understood from the outset and are dealt with correctly throughout the matter.
The firm communicates issues clearly so that everyone can work together smoothly and have the depth of knowledge and access to expert advice to ensure that their work is first class.
Nicky Sherrard has a genuine interest in her clients and the ability to ensure that they receive the best outcome for their situation. Her attention to detail and client care experience makes her an outstanding solicitor for any complex or sensitive private client issue
Lisa Davies is very trustworthy
Work highlights
- Advised trustees in relation to a potential challenge by a discretionary beneficiary of a trust in relation to a distribution.
- Dealing with the administration of the cross-border estates of deceased civil partners
- Acting as executors and in the administration of an estate with challenging family dynamics and advising in relation to an annuity clause contained in the will
- Acting as co-executors and in the administration of an estate requiring specialist advice in relation to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief
Led by the 'excellent' Claire Johnson , Geldards LLP has 'demonstrable knowledge and experience of dealing with the complex needs of private clients'. The team handles a broad range of wealth preservation and succession planning matters, as well as trust and estate administration. As well as being able to call upon the insight of highly skilled practitioners within the group, including 'patient and responsive' senior associate Anne Taylor , it is also able to draw upon the value-added expertise of practitioners from within complementary practice areas at the firm, including corporate tax, charities and family.
Practice head(s):Claire Johnson
Other key lawyers:Anne Taylor; Gillian Crouch; Laura Ikin
Testimonials
There is real strength-in-depth within the team
Claire Johnson leads a highly competent team, with a clear and informative approach to client engagement
Anne Taylor is particularly good at developing an understanding of the soft facts that help to advise her clients appropriately
Regularly referred work from other law firms, as well as local accountants/financial advisers, Howells Solicitors excels in providing a bespoke service to clients seeking to protect their assets through effective estate planning and in the subsequent administration of their trusts and estates. Both Laith Khatib and Paul Lindsey are 'held in high regard among the south Wales private client community' and regularly provide contentious and non-contentious advice to many wealthy families in the region.
Practice head(s):Laith Khatib
Other key lawyers:Paul Lindsey
Testimonials
The team is equivalent in both size and technical ability as some of the larger firms in Cardiff
Laith Khatib is unfailingly polite and courteous and always gets excellent results for his clients
Paul Lindsey has always been able to strike a perfect balance between handling matters from the straightforward, to the very complex, while maintaining an unrivalled level of client care
Appreciated by clients for its 'warm and welcoming atmosphere', Neath-based firm Hutchinson Thomas provides a 'very efficient and professional service' to local clients across the gamut of private client work, including will drafting, establishing powers of attorney, the administration of estates and inheritance tax planning. Rhian Williams demonstrates a 'high degree of legal knowledge and experience' and is appreciated for her 'sympathetic and attentive' approach, of particular importance in relation to her work for the elderly and on mental capacity matters.
Practice head(s):Louise Williams
Other key lawyers:Rhian Williams
Testimonials
Enquiries are dealt with in a professional and friendly manner, giving clients every confidence in regard to the outcome of matters to be discussed
They have all been very efficient, very professional and very informative to provide me with the necessary legal documents I needed to best achieve the current and future needs for my family and blood line
Rhian Williams is approachable and sympathetic
Key Clients
Ty Hafan
Work highlights
- Acting in a cross-border estate with a large tax bill
- Dealing with an estate involving a consent order relating to the family home, debts, a secret trust and a missing beneficiary
- Dealing with a Gibraltar-based trust, appointment of UK trustees and arranging for its distribution
Led out of Swansea by Chris Shaw, JCP Solicitors' five-partner team has considerable expertise across the spectrum of work, from the drafting of wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, to advice on behalf of high-net-worth individuals on tax planning/trusts and the administration of high-value and often complex farming and business estates. Since the firm's recent merger with Glamorgan Law, it has also broadened the geographical scope of its work and it is now able to effectively service clients out of its offices from Fishguard in the South West to Caerphilly in the South East.
Practice head(s):Chris Shaw
Other key lawyers:Mike Downey; Arwel Davies; Lynne Morgan; Ian Fudge
Testimonials
Very friendly, knowledgeable and efficient service
The team's overall attention to detail as well as its personal consideration to clients in what is sometimes a very difficult subject matter makes them stand out from the crowd and in particular their competitors
The team is easy to get on with and act with integrity
Led by Jonathan Powell , Douglas-Jones Mercer's five-strong team has a strong reputation in the market across a varied array of private client work, ranging from simple will drafting for the elderly, to complex commercial succession solutions for clients throughout the UK. The firm also generates a significant amount of work from an extensive will bank, while the opening of an office in 2017 in the affluent Mumbles area of Swansea has led to an increase in mandates from high-net-worth individuals.
Practice head(s):Jonathan Powell
Other key lawyers:Rebecca Laugharne
The 'proactive and approachable' two-partner team at NewLaw Solicitors specialises in dealing with vulnerable clients, many of who have suffered brain/spinal or age-related difficulties. The firm's Court of Protection offering ensures that it is able to act in a Professional Deputy capacity - managing the assets of clients who have personal injury/clinical negligence claims. Utilising very efficient case management systems and software, the team also provides a volume will writing, estate planning and probate service to clients, ranging from high-net-worth to low value individuals.
Practice head(s):Katie Edwards and Robert Thomas
Testimonials
The team has a detailed understanding of the clients and are responsive to their needs
The firm is effectively able integrate expertise across the Court of Protection and catastrophic litigation to provide a complete service to brain injured clients and their families.
The team has a particular expertise in Court of Protection matters
Key Clients
BMA Law
Carole Nash Legal Services
Ageas Law
RCN Law
Age Cymru
Carers Trust
Child Brain Injury Trust
H&R Legal
Affinion Probate
National Accident Helpline
Work highlights
- provide Private Client services for the BMA Membership on behalf of BMA Law.
- Private client services to clients of Carole Nash Legal Services
- Private client services to service users of Age Cymru.
- Private Client services to users of Carers Trust
At Berry Smith, team head Chris Beames has significant experience across a range of wills and estate planning work, including in relation to Court of Protection mandates for vulnerable clients. He is also able to effectively leverage his residential property expertise in relation to any property-related matters with regard to estate planning.
Practice head(s):Chris Beames
Testimonials
The very thoughtful Chris Beames is professional and very considered in his advice.
Interview with...
Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs
Interview with...
Law firm partners and practice heads explain how their firms are adapting to clients' changing needs

International comparative guides
Select Practice Area
The Legal 500 United Kingdom - Events
The Legal 500 TV
The Legal 500 UK Awards 2017
Search News and Articles
Press releases
Legal Developments in Wales for Personal tax, trusts and probate
-
What structures do you recommend international investors use to facilitate an efficient investment?
The following article discusses session three in the IR Global Virtual Series on ' Investment Incentives - Assessing international real estate programmes'- IR Global
Legal Developments in the UK
-
Long Residence ILR: Section 3C & Paragraph 39E
This is the third post in a series of blogs regarding recent developments in case law on overstaying and applying for settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain (‘ILR’), on the basis of 10 years long residence . The first and second post, provided an in-depth exploration of the recent cases on the interpretation of 10 years of continuous lawful residence. -
Why has my UK visit visa been refused?
In this article we look at the most common reasons for refusal of a UK visit visa application. -
Tier 2 General Change of Employment FAQs
Under the Immigration Rules, there are different requirements if you plan to change employment while on a Tier 2 (General) visa. We have prepared answers to a selection of questions frequently asked by Tier 2 (General) migrants when changing employment. -
British Citizenship: The Citizenship Ceremony
If an individual is over 18 and has made a successful application to become a British citizen , they will be required to attend a citizenship ceremony. The individual is required to attend a ceremony by law. -
Open a branch of your business in the UK with the Sole Rep Visa
Starting a branch of your business in the UK could be one of the best moves you make in terms of your exposure in a new but very developed market. This is because the United Kingdom is today the worlds 5th largest economy and has a population of 65 million people. -
Do you have to pay Settlement Agreement Tax?
If you are negotiating a settlement agreement with your employer, it will be important to understand the tax rules that apply to any payment you may receive. -
Combining sources of income to satisfy the spouse visa financial requirement
Under Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules, family members applying for entry clearance or leave to remain must provide evidence of an annual income of at least £18,600, which is known as the minimum income requirement (“MIR”), plus an additional £3,800 for the first child and £2,400 for each additional child. -
Costs in Immigration Judicial Review Proceedings
As outlined in our previous series of blog posts , immigration judicial review allows you to challenge decisions by the Home Office when the decision does not attract a right of appeal or administrative review. -
Adequate Maintenance Requirement - Appendix FM
In July 2012, the Immigration Rules were changed to implement new requirements for non-EEA nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK under the family migration route. Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules was subsequently introduced, incorporating an adequate maintenance requirement. -
Investor Visa Settlement Investment Requirements
Tier 1 Investor visa holders can apply for settlement or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK once they have spent a continuous period of 2, 3 or 5 years with leave in the United Kingdom under the Tier 1 Investor visa route.
Press Releases in the UK
-
Employment Law - Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, London
Employment -
Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors discuss Post Brexit scenarios - EU Nationals and Salient Immigration
Immigration -
Women in Law UK launches in Leeds
November 15, 2018 -
Harrogate based Stowe Family Law wins Law Firm of the Year at the Elite Business Awards
November 5, 2018 -
Stowe launches specialist domestic and international surrogacy law service
October 31, 2018 -
Stowe celebrates excellent results in The Legal 500 rankings
October 30, 2018 -
We are all set for our annual conference in Birmingham this weekend
October 4, 2018 This year, the Stowe Family Law conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre, Central Square, 5 – 7 October 2018. -
Stowe Family Law wins two Yorkshire Legal Awards
October 12, 2018 -
Our Manchester family law office recruits new solicitor to support business growth
September 17, 2018 -
Stowe Family Law in Winchester expands its team with a fertility and surrogacy law expert
September 12, 2018