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Personal tax, trusts and probate
Leading individuals

Personal tax, trusts and probate

1
- Blake Morgan LLP (Cardiff)
- Geldards LLP (Cardiff)
- Hugh James (Cardiff)
2
- JCP Solicitors (Swansea, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Carmarthen)
- NewLaw Solicitors (Cardiff)
- Red Kite Law LLP (Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Pembroke)
3
- Howells Solicitors (Cardiff)
- Hutchinson Thomas (Neath)
4
- Berry Smith (Cardiff)
- Douglas-Jones Mercer (Swansea)

Leading individuals

1
- Mathew Bowen - Red Kite Law LLP
- Helen Downes - Geldards LLP
- Tim Haggar - Red Kite Law LLP
- Awen Mellick - Blake Morgan LLP
- Nicky Sherrard - Blake Morgan LLP

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Blake Morgan LLP provides ‘professional and reliable advice’ to business owners, landowners, charitable bodies, company directors and financial organisations. ‘Courteous and sensitive’ associate solicitor Awen Mellick ‘has real expertise in her field and continues to develop her knowledge staying up to date on changes in tax and pensions legislation’. ‘Knowledgeable and good-humoured’ associate Nicky Sherrard is also recommended.

Claire Johnson and Helen Downes jointly lead Geldards LLP’s team, which provides ‘a reliable, personable and supportive’ service across the spectrum of private client work including IHT advice and succession planning strategies. The team is also known for its ‘excellent charities practice’ and regularly advises private clients on their philanthropic plans, while the ‘efficient and personable’ Anne Taylor has significant knowledge of Court of Protection matters.

Led by ‘efficient and knowledgeable’ Matthew Evans, the five-partner wealth management team at Hugh James advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious private client matters including bespoke work as well as volume trust and estate administration and will writing. Sarah Cash regularly acts for high-net-wealth individuals, and Eleanor Evans is recommended for her estates and trusts administration work on behalf of financial institutions and trust corporation clients.

At JCP Solicitors, Chris Shaw leads on lifetime planning for a varied client base that includes numerous high-net-worth individuals. Lynne Morgan provides Court of Protection expertise to elderly patients, and the ‘knowledgeable’ Arwel Davies (who is based in the firm’s Fishguard office) advises on wills and estate administration for a wide range of clients.

NewLaw Solicitors’ Katie Edwards leads on estate planning and tax advice, while the ‘reassuring and capable’ Robert Thomas regularly serves as a professional deputy appointed by the Court of Protection to assist people in managing their financial affairs after they have lost mental capacity.

At Red Kite Law LLP, Tim Haggar is well regarded for advising on financial planning as well as handling Court of Protection work. Mathew Bowen has particular expertise in agricultural relief and trusts.

Co-headed by the ‘patient and understanding’ Laith Khatib and John O’Connell, Howells Solicitors ‘performs exceptionally well in this area’. Claire Davis helps families set up wills and lifetime trusts to protect vulnerable and disabled children.

At Hutchinson Thomas, ‘personable and knowledgeable’ team head Louise Williams provides ‘measured and accurate advice’. Rhian Williams has ‘excellent legal knowledge’, as well as ‘an innate ability to relate to people from all walks of life’.

Berry Smith’s Chris Beames specialises in Court of Protection work involving cases relating to vulnerable or disabled children.

At Douglas-Jones Mercer, team head Jonathan Powell has a good reputation among IFAs and banks and regularly receiving referrals to advise on wills, trusts and succession planning.

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Press releases

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Legal Developments in Wales for Personal tax, trusts and probate

Parking rights: here to stay? Consent might be the surprising answer  

In the field of the acquisition of easements by prescription, little has caused more consternation over the last decade or so than the question of whether a right to park cars can be acquired by twenty years user as of right. The types of property capable of being adversely affected range from individual residential units all the way up to major development sites. The establishment of such a right can have a devastating impact on the value of the burdened land. 

- Falcon Chambers

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies ”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP