The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Personal tax, trusts and probate

‘Bart Peerless has an outstanding level of responsiveness and client empathy‘

‘A highly reputable firm with quality individuals who provide practical and considered advice, including Dominic Lawrance, Sangna Chauhan and James Bradford‘

‘All of the individuals I have worked with are technically expert and very able, but all show a focus on getting a task not merely done but absolutely right in every detail, and with acute sensitivity to the client’s needs and preferences. Conspicuous for their acumen, pragmatism and positive approach are partners Bart Peerless and Robert Blower‘

‘Dominic Lawrance is the leading technical adviser in London when it comes to non-domicile matters. Dominic is a standout expert in his field. He can comment with certainty almost straight away on any non-domicile query‘

‘Dominic Lawrance is a standout top talent with some of the best technical expertise in the market. Alice Wilne is a meticulous and methodical lawyer with a keen eye for spotting problems and solving them‘

‘The recruitment of Sophie Dworetzsky is a real coup for CRS – she is a fantastic technical lawyer‘

‘A quality private wealth team with real strength in depth which delivers excellent legal work. Piers Master, Robert Blower, Sangna Chauhan, Dominic Lawrance and Sophie Dworetzsky stand out‘

‘It serves complex cases, especially where there is  cross-border angle – this is important to internationally living clients and their families. Andrew Cameron has a tailored and practical approach. Elena Vasilyeva is very helpful at managing clients’ requests in relation to complex issues such as tax, probate, family relations and immigration‘

‘I have the highest regard for Sarah von Schmidt and the team at Farrer. The lawyers are a pleasure to deal with, technically strong and very sensitive to clients’ needs – they do not give cookie-cutter advice‘

‘Sarah von Schmidt is highly recommended, especially for her work on landed estates‘

‘The team has real strength and considerable expertise. It shows practical joined-up thinking and a high level of technical skill. It is very engaged in what it does‘

‘It is known for having large clients with complex needs for whom the team can offer excellent specialist services – it has real strength and depth‘

‘James Carleton is excellent for art and chattels‘

‘Bryony Cove is very empathetic and has a very good manner with clients‘

‘Oliver Piper has really good technical and client-handling skills‘

 ‘Russell Cohen continues to do amazing work; he is a great lawyer’

‘Daniel Ugur has excellent knowledge of the Asian market, a good client base and a good way with clients and advisers. He simplifies matters’

‘Daniel Ugar provides very clear and pragmatic advice‘

‘Piers Barclay is hugely experienced’

‘Macfarlanes is an exceptional organisation. Its professional knowledge, its global network, its ability to look three steps ahead, its breadth, depth and capacity, its commitment to the client, and the quality of its people and personal interaction at every level are unrivalled in my experience‘

‘Sebastian Prichard Jones is outstanding: he is exceptionally sharp and has that rare gift of making the complex simple. His instincts are spot on. His advice is precise and well contextualised. He is highly personable and good company. You could not wish for a better adviser. Mark Hunter is bright and considerate. He has an extraordinary capacity for work, and nothing is too much trouble‘

‘Excellent client service and relationship management. Charles Gothard is quite simply exceptional in all aspects thanks to his knowledge, team work and a great personality that makes working with him a joy. He is available at all times, night and day, and goes above and beyond client service. His wider team is also excellent‘

‘Nicholas Harries is very good technically and able to deal with a wide range of issues in the international private client arena, from commercial restructurings to complex family disputes’

‘Nicholas Harries has a deep knowledge of UK probate and tax matters, as well as cross-border matters. He is always willing to help and goes the extra mile for clients‘

‘Jennifer Smithson specialises in US/UK matters as well as matters with a French element. She is a creative problem solver, especially when it comes to structures that need to work in multiple jurisdictions‘

‘Isobel Morton is smart and understated – a winning combination‘

‘The MTG team is one of the very few specialist private client teams that can truly serve the UHNW and family office space. The lawyers possess a depth and breadth of technical ability overlaid with a commercial lens that enables them to advise client and help resolve their most complex challenges‘

‘I have worked with Ceris Gardner over very many years; she has always provided wise counsel and has clearly been responsible for setting the culture and tone of the firm‘

‘Jennifer Chambers is intellectually very agile and inventive. She is precise, to the point and never wastes the clients’ time‘

‘Jennifer Chambers,  Eesha Arora and Hannah Blakey are a real team and also feel very much part of our team. They are very responsive and accessible and have excellent technical skills. I have seen over the years how Jennifer has developed Eesha through to partner and how Hannah is rapidly developing as an associate‘

‘A very good private client practice generally, with strength and depth. Fiona Poole is a standout partner – she has very good technical and client skills and is a good speaker‘

‘The team at MTG combines all the strengths of a major player with those of a friendly, boutique practice. I am absolutely guaranteed to get solid technical knowledge and a warm welcome. Fiona Poole stands heads above many of her peers with her exceptional tax knowledge and approachable style‘

‘Fiona Poole is very bright and expert in her areas, as well as very personable. She is my go-to referral for private client work. It is an excellent team all round‘

‘Ed Powles is excellent technically and incredibly bright‘

‘Mishcon has grown and become of the leading firms in private client work. In the private client industry, having winning, charismatic and gifted lawyers is key, as it is a personal business. If you wish to have such a team, with diversity and excellence, you have made an excellent decision to engage Mishcon’

‘There is a high level of communication within the team and a wide range of skills and expertise so that the right person is available to deal with each aspect of the case. All the people I have had contact with have been knowledgeable in their field and easy to work with‘

‘The team has grown consistently with the hiring of top players. Patrick Harney is always available, extremely responsive, very strong on the tax side and very pragmatic‘

‘A standout firm in the private client market, known for the highest quality advice. Andrew Goldstone, Charlie Sosna and Kassim Meghjee stand out‘

‘Kassim Merghjee is clearly bright, thoughtful and much respected by his client base‘

‘Filippo Noseda is the number one lawyer for privacy matters in connection with FATCA, the common reporting standard, beneficial owner registers and the like‘

‘This is an excellent private client team’

‘Nicola Simmons is clearly bright, energetic in style and highly personable‘

‘Nick Warr is commercially astute and a first-class lawyer with many years of experience. He is dedicated and leads the team by example. He has a superb client base with a particular focus on the Middle East‘

‘Nick Warr is very able – he is technically excellent, has a big and loyal client following, and is very sensible and affable as well as being pragmatic‘

‘A high level of technical expertise and excellent client interaction. Nick Warr is a very competent and highly respected practitioner. Clients respect him enormously and he is very capable‘

‘Andrew Hine has very nice manner and is technically very good‘

‘Great strength in depth across multiple practice areas. Able to deal with all the requirements of large international high-net-worth families. Sanjvee Shah is extremely personable, technically gifted and dedicated to achieving the very best outcomes for her clients. A pleasure to work with‘

‘A very experienced and established team with immense talent at all levels.  One of the very best private client teams in the UK. Sanjvee Shah is exceptionally knowledgeable, very approachable and utterly committed to doing her best for her clients. One of the leaders in her field. Clients love her‘

‘Kirstie McGuigan has provided outstanding service and support in a number of matters with varying degrees of complexity. Kirstie will either provide the specific advice herself or introduce a member of a specialist team within the firm to provide the detailed support and work as necessary. This helps manage time and cost in an efficient and professional manner‘

‘Alexander Erskine really knows his onions. Rachel Davison has the highly valued ability to distil the key information and advise on it clearly and concisely. Not many others manage that’

‘The premier global private client team. Every investment bank, trustee or accountant wants to work with this team‘

‘It remains high-quality firm with an added US dimension. Patricia Milner, Matthew Woods and Chris Groves are all supreme on the technical side but able to link to the practical‘

‘Philip Munro is the modern Withers partner, not just about landed estates but acting for international entrepreneurs with a range of assets, family dynamics and cross-jurisdictional matters. He has a tremendous work ethic and clients and advisers trust him‘

‘It has an established US tax team, and close collaboration with its offices in the US, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team has top-drawer clients. Philip Munro is a standout private client lawyer, who is brilliant at client service and organising teams of advisers and is extraordinarily bright. He is also qualified in the BVI, wrote the book on Hong Kong trust law and has prior experience in Withers’ Hong Kong and Singapore offices‘

‘Patricia Milner is hugely competent and incredibly professional‘

‘Charlie Tee is doing fabulous work – intermediaries and clients love him and he is a great lawyer. Charlie is extremely personable and superb at international estate planning. He is my go-to person for complex cross-jurisdictional conflict of laws issues. He has a very easy manner with clients and is effective at steering client situations with the potential to become contentious to the appropriate resolution‘

‘There is a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience within the team that allows for considered responses to queries within a quick timeframe. Lara Crompton is a highly experienced lawyer, who breaks down complex transactions in a way that they are easier to understand and implement‘

‘BDP Pitmans has always had strength and depth in its private client personal tax team and that is a diminishing resource in the sector. It has a number of very experienced partners who provide reliable and sensible advice. The fact that it is part of a large firm with a thriving contentious trust and probate department is an advantage as it can offer clients a rounded service’

‘Technically competent, highly knowledgeable and personable. I have dealt with Alastair Collett, who explains complex matters very well and is on top of his brief. His advice is pretty much bullet proof‘

‘Helen Ratcliffe is a true family adviser, always considering issues in the context of overall family dynamics and long-term relationships in addition to providing excellent technical advice on both tax and trust law matters. She teams up very well with other advisers, whether they are lawyers advising on aspects she does not herself cover, trust administrators or investment managers‘

‘Strong technical knowledge, good interpersonal skills and always available to respond quickly. Excellent knowledge and really buy in to working together with other professionals for the clients’ best interests‘

‘It has a good blend of approachability and a detailed knowledge of the underlying black-letter law. Hugo Smith has a strong technical grip of UK trust law‘

‘Hugo Smith is a very experienced private client lawyer who knows his stuff.  He takes a practical approach to his clients’ problems and is good at exploring different avenues to solve them‘

‘The team is technically excellent and very responsive. We have worked with a number of partners but would highlight Judith Millar, Liz Neale, Helen Ratcliffe and Simon Weil in particular for their user friendliness and cost effectiveness’

‘Judith Millar is extremely knowledgeable about private client law and practice and has a wealth of experience to draw on. She has an air of calm assurance that is very reassuring‘

‘Jonathan Colclough has great in-depth specialist knowledge. He really knows his stuff but is also a lovely person who is willing to go above and beyond for his clients and has humility and warmth – a great combination‘

‘The team consistently over-performs, mainly by continually thinking of both the primary aims of the work that it is undertaking and also the most efficient manner to achieve these goals‘

‘Simon Rylatt is a joy to work with. He is unusually responsive for such a busy practitioner. He is very technically adept and at the same time emphasises common sense and practicality in his advice‘

‘Simon Rylatt excels at taking complex technical advice and distilling it into client communications that can be understood by non-technical team members and clients‘

‘Salpy Kouyoumjian and Hayden Bailey are excellent practitioners‘

‘Salpy fights her clients’ corner and finds creative solutions‘

‘Hayden Bailey is a first-class lawyer who has broad expertise and a sharp eye for detail. He has a breadth of knowledge outside his standard specialism that helps him counsel his clients on the different paths that they will need to navigate’

‘Salpy Kouyoumjian is very professional, yet friendly. She has a huge wealth of knowledge and an excellent sense of humour as well. I love working with her‘

‘Matthew Bennett is a great addition‘

‘I have found that there is a very wide range of top-quality expertise available in its partners so that the firm can deal with the more esoteric areas of law (art restitution for example) that I would not expect to find elsewhere’

‘I find the philosophy that runs through the staff of being conscious of keeping client costs to a minimum very reassuring‘

‘Overall, I feel that Hunters is on my side and we are a team, working well together‘

‘Alexandra Sarkis is an outstanding lawyer. We say this having regard to her profound knowledge of her specialty, her presentation and clarity of mind, and the clarity of her explanations of legal issues‘

‘Alex Sarkis inspires absolute confidence and displays great efficiency, patience, understanding, attention to detail and a wealth of knowledge, coupled with a sound and carefully considered judgement – all qualities one would hope and expect to see in an ideal lawyer and adviser. In summary, we hugely appreciate Alex, her advice and her guidance‘

‘The team at Hunters is excellent. It is very client friendly and always provides practical advice which is easy to follow. The lawyers punch above their weight as compared with other private client firms‘

‘Wilfrid Vernor-Miles knows his clients very well and provides very comprehensive and easy-to-understand advice in respect of very complex issues‘

‘An excellent team. Highly professional and very responsive‘

‘Exceptional skill-set, clearly joined up and operationally effective, and very presentable. A great, easy to work with team‘

‘Alex Ruffel, in particular, is an outstanding lawyer. She is totally dedicated to her clients and contacts, and the advice she gives is always relevant and easy to understand. She is also very responsive. The best I have come across, quite frankly‘

‘Alex Ruffel is extremely bright, pragmatic and good with clients‘

‘Alex Ruffel is very capable, approachable and easy to work with. She is very good technically, responsive and practical. She is ably assisted by a small team providing nimble and timely support‘

‘Helen Clarke is an excellent technician, very personable and always tries to go above and beyond‘

‘Kate Caldwell is very competent and ably supports Alex‘

‘Simon Goldring works very hard and is good technically. He thinks very carefully about things’

‘A high-quality firm that always puts the client first. Simon Goldring is obsessive about client service and he will always go the extra mile to deliver.  Simon will always challenge and explore every option to find the perfect solution for the client’

‘Astrid Owen is a go-to adviser for the most complex and difficult structuring issues. She should be on speed dial for internationally based families and family offices‘

‘The team stands out for its dual UK/US international planning expertise. Astrid Owen is clearly an expert on US and international tax matters‘

‘Simon Gibb is a walking encyclopaedia on tax, trusts and estate law combined with real commercial flair’

‘Simon Gibb is impressive in relation to his trust law knowledge and planning abilities‘

‘The team is extremely comprehensive in its approach, very knowledgeable and familiar with cross-border private client matters. Andrew Vergunst is especially knowledgeable about matters concerning the UK, US and South Africa. He is excellent in project managing cross-border advisory matters‘

‘Very experienced and dedicated to client service. Responsive to issues and good at dealing with HMRC. Abigail Nott is up and coming‘

‘The team is discreet – the lawyers waste no breath blowing their own trumpet, focusing instead on providing a gold-standard service to their worldwide client base. From the intricacies of tax to the interweaving of international structures, the lawyers sail effortlessly over the choppiest waters‘

‘Rosamond McDowell is very responsive, shows good initiative and is good at organising specialists in the firm when needed‘

‘Robert Brodrick is very experienced in advising landed estates clients’

‘PHB is at the top of my list of go-to London firms. The lawyers are very capable, have a great bedside manner and resolve both complex and straightforward matters efficiently‘

‘Robert Brodrick is a very knowledgeable and respected lawyer. He has a wealth of experience which enables him to quickly handle matters. He has a great team of talented lawyers to assist him. Frederick Bjørn is extremely personable and capable. The team’s expertise continues with Rosamond McDowell and more‘

‘A highly personalised approach combined with in-depth knowledge and expertise. Robert Brodrick has a wealth of knowledge and he is able to clearly and concisely explain what is necessary. He is also able to navigate complex family issues to ensure a successful outcome‘

‘They are traditional lawyers in a positive way – you feel that you know who you are dealing with, it is a personalised service and the lawyers are genuine experts in their area. My main contact is Basil Dixon who is very personable and professional and always responsive’

‘Basil Dixon has the ability, poise and strength of character, without any of the arrogance that so often goes with it, to handle the most weighty matter or client. James Bacon is a technical supremo, while also as charming as they come. Every estate, however complex, however grand, is dealt with effectively and apparently simply‘

‘A highly innovative firm but with traditional values when it comes to client service. A strong private client team that has broad experience. Jon Shankland is technically excellent and obsessive about client service. His clients always receive exceptional service and they rely on him for all their legal needs‘

‘The firm is clearly one of the best, highly professional and with a name that implies trust and integrity. I would highlight the breadth of its global network; the impact of its brand; and the fact that I know that I have the broad resources of a top-class law firm at my disposal should I need it‘

‘Victoria Fairley is measured, intelligent and a very safe pair of hands‘

‘Jonathan Shankland is a quality operator at the top of his game. He is commercial, responsive and a lawyer you want on your team. He is an outstanding professional, knowledgeable and client friendly‘

‘It is a collegial team and its strengths lie with Jon Shankland and Victoria Fairley, who are dedicated to developing their team’s experience and expertise. It is genuinely a hardworking, collaborative and down-to-earth team. Very bright, sharp and creative in finding solutions‘

‘Jon Shankland is a savvy negotiator who is a very strong communicator. He has no weaknesses – he is exactly who you need when the rubber hits the road. Tom Frankel was very helpful and kind’

‘Patrick Malone’s strengths are his resourcefulness, determination and willingness to roll his sleeves up on any task. Patrick has a pleasant disposition. It feels a bit like I’m his only client, when I know that can’t be true‘

‘Good international tax knowledge and the ability to communicate this knowledge to clients. Jonathan Shankland is very focused and has an eye for detail with a real can-do attitude’

‘Rebecca Fisher was assured in her knowledge of matters relevant to our needs and commanded good colleague interaction when necessary across Russell-Cooke’s other disciplines‘

‘Exceptionally approachable. Advice is easy to understand and yet very sophisticated. Excellent responsiveness to clients’ questions. We feel very much supported‘

‘Rebecca Fisher is an exceptionally professional lawyer who remains very approachable. I feel that I can pick up the phone to her any time and she will walk me through the issues at hand in a calm and to-the-point manner so that I fully understand them. Nothing is too much trouble for her. The quality of her advice is excellent from a technical point of view but also very digestible‘

‘Outstanding expertise in cross-border estate planning and knowledge of material law of foreign jurisdictions. Christopher Salomons is hands-on and efficient‘

‘We are always confident in referring our clients to the team at Russell-Cooke as we know they are experts in their field and will provide solutions that are practical. The lawyers are always very approachable and available and it is clear that they have a passion for their area of expertise‘

‘Rebecca Fisher’s attention to detail and depth of knowledge is really exceptional, and she is well regarded by all clients who I have referred to her‘

‘The team has great strength in this area. Given that the firm has a dedicated French law department, the team is able to deal with clients who have assets not only in the UK but also in France, thereby providing a comprehensive service. Additionally, the private client litigation department at Russell-Cooke is excellent, so that if matters do become contentious there is support there’

‘Rebecca Fisher in particular has excellent tax and trusts knowledge. She is also very easy to deal with and good with clients. She is reassuring, knowledgeable and also practical‘

‘The team is small but highly expert in its field. The lawyers act for some of the biggest domestic family names and many international ones too. Keith Bruce-Smith is an extremely experienced, expert private client lawyer. He combines his technical experience with practical know-how and a forceful personality.  Lucy Gibson has an excellent reputation. They are assisted by a highly competent team including Lizzie Fordham in particular’

‘Sinclair Gibson LLP is absolutely first rate with deep experience and expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional planning and litigation. All of its partners are impressive, as are its associates‘

‘The service is personal – all your concerns are taken away because the team is competent and works together so well. Lucy Gibson is outstanding. I trust her implicitly for all aspects of the work she carries out for me‘

‘Both Keith Bruce-Smith and Lucy Gibson not only have excellent professional skills in tax planning and trust work, but are also sympathetic, courteous and a pleasure to work with‘

‘Lucy Gibson is particularly impressive in leading a team of lawyers from various jurisdictions in complex cross-border contentious matters. She is experienced, knowledgeable and can juggle the complexities of various legal systems masterfully. She is a brilliant and loyal ally,  and a fierce opponent‘

‘Keith Bruce-Smith and Judith Robinson combine forces to offer an outstanding team for the development of strategy for the most complex of situations, including international aspects, and the timely execution of instructions thereafter‘

‘Keith Bruce-Smith’s very strong understanding of complex taxation issues was notable. He was always prepared to think outside the box and then back it up with technical explanations. Eleanor Walsh is technically very strong‘

‘Keith Bruce-Smith is just first rate. He has an unparalleled knowledge of inheritance tax and other capital taxes and is always looking at ways to get the best for his clients. He also has an excellent knowledge of trusts and how they work. On top of this, Keith is sensible and practical. His client management skills are excellent. Lucy Gibson is also first class. She is a brilliant trust and tax lawyer who has a fabulous client manner’

‘I have always found everyone at the firm very friendly, approachable and capable. Having worked with senior associates and partners in the team, I have always felt there is a willingness to do the best job possible and collaborating on these cases has always been very easy‘

‘Druces is experienced in delivering traditional private client services across UK capital taxes, estate planning and probate’

‘The team was very knowledgeable both in terms of the general administration of a will and in relation to trust law, and had a strong understanding of tax consequences. It has a fantastic blend of legal and commercial acumen‘

‘The firm does a lot of work in property ownership structures and trusts, and as a result has a good overview of the market in that area. We regularly work with Richard Monkcom, who has a particularly high level of attention to detail, but is also focused on finding practical solutions Richard is a seasoned and experienced partner. I always felt confident that the interests of the various generations would be equitably handled by the team.’

‘I find Paul Levy to be very knowledgeable in all areas of private client law. Furthermore, Paul has always had a willingness to get things done with the minimum of fuss and without coming across as pushy at what is usually a difficult time for the client. I particularly like the way that Paul is happy to work closely with me on all client cases. He has also always shown a willingness to be transparent on fees‘

‘Paul Levy is an exceptional young solicitor who is extremely knowledgeable and provides a first-class service. He is articulate, understanding and very thorough. He looks after me and my entire family always with a smile, and demonstrates a wide understanding of all matters, including an ability to think outside the box‘

‘Excellent knowledge and understanding of the tax and wider issues confronting private clients and trustees. Well able to compete on equal terms with all the majors in this field‘

‘My overall impression of Edwin Coe is that it is a strong, well-organised firm with top lawyers‘

‘Nick Giles always keeps in touch with what his team is doing and makes sure that the work is done well and at the right price. Alison Broadberry gets straight to the heart of the matter and has an unrivalled grasp not just of private client and trustee issues, but also of the impact on them of finance and pensions’

‘Nick Giles’ performance is excellent and down to earth, and also he does not hesitate to pass matters to more specialist colleagues when appropriate‘

‘The firm that really does go the extra yard. Nothing is too much trouble, and its clients hugely appreciate the devotion to service at the highest levels. One of the few firms I recommend to my friends‘

‘David Goepel is one of the absolute stars of the private client world. No trumpet-blowing, but just sheer class. He knows the technical side, inside out, but provides solutions rather than obstacles, and solutions which work. Ben Harle inspires confidence and gratitude in his clients, in equal measure.  Wendy Hall’s knowledge, poise and delivery were equal to lawyers many years her senior. A class act’

‘Matthew Barnett has long been my go-to man to send clients to for wills and trusts and he always gains their trust’

‘Matt is always a pleasure to work with and is particularly strong on non-contentious tax and wealth planning‘

‘Alistair Robertson and Peter Golden are a super team. They provide fantastic client service delivery underpinned by solid legal work‘

‘Peter Golden is extremely knowledgeable and helpful‘

‘The team’s strength and depth is evident from the moment it is engaged and I have the utmost confidence in it’

‘Peter Golden has excellent technical knowledge and is also very pragmatic and commercial when giving his advice‘

‘Peter Golden has built a strong team around him who provide all the required support‘

‘Peter has a strong rapport with his clients and is presentable to any client, no matter what their background’

‘It is an excellent firm. Well priced and very responsive‘

‘Alistair Robertson is diligent, personable and commercial’

‘Delivers top-notch area expertise in a relaxed, professional and personable manner. High energy and forward thinking. State-of-the-art knowledge. Entrepreneurial‘

‘The team has so much experience and understands how to manage and look after UHNW clients’

‘Glen Atchison is dynamic, has boundless energy, is excellent with clients and can get straight to the heart of a matter‘

‘Glen Atchison is an excellent tactician and leader. His team has a very entrepreneurial attitude and has the breadth and ability to deal with anything a client wants’

‘Jonathan Burt is exceptionally bright, technically excellent and experienced in international private client work‘

‘Siena Gold is delightful, mature beyond her years, has excellent judgement and is hugely competent technically‘

‘Jonathan Burt is a great lawyer with a strong practice and interesting clients. He is amazing, very, very clever and provides sound advice‘

‘Zoë Camp’s clients feel absolutely supported by her; they have trust and confidence that they are getting the right advice. She is responsive and delivers a first-class service‘

‘James d’Aquino is an excellent lawyer with a sharp commercial edge. He is a mine of information and practical experience in international tax planning‘

‘This is an excellent firm, with top legal advice provided at a fraction of the price of its competitors’

‘Lucy Edwards is an outstanding solicitor who has worked closely with a number of my UHNW and HNW clients and has received stellar feedback on a consistent basis‘

‘A longstanding presence in the field with significant prowess in advising on dynastic assets in a modern and international setting‘

‘Laura Dadswell is the shining star in the private client team. She is responsive and communicates in a clear and decisive way’

‘The team provides a first-class service, mixing commercial nous with vast knowledge. We also like the people at Stephenson Harwood – although they are always incredibly busy (the sign of a good firm), they are easily approached and are very generous with their time‘

‘James Quarmby is first class – he provides clear and practical advice which condenses very complicated subjects into language which is easily understood by the client. He is highly recommended‘

‘Jamey Quarmby is highly professional and knowledgeable in all aspects of UK tax law. He is not processing clients but interested in their personal circumstances and issues. He is seeking to provide tailored solutions that are suited for the clients and yet can be understood by the client‘

‘Emily Osborne has an encyclopaedic knowledge of tax codes and a particular specialism in pensions legislation. I have never once asked her a question that she did not know the answer to’

‘James Quarmby is a broadly skilled adviser in the tax and private client area, with an astute understanding of the policy context for his cross-border tax practice’

‘James Quarmby and Emily Osborne are consistently professional and personable, have extensive technical ability and speak in a language that is clear and concise. James is the finest private client lawyer operating in London today. He is sharp, savvy and oh so practical. A dream for trustees to work with‘

‘Emily Osborne is a good international tax adviser and a specialist in international pension schemes. This team continues to make a splash in the market‘

‘Alice Vink has advised several of my clients before and I have always found the quality of her reports to be first rate‘

‘Its star is on the rise‘

‘Antoaneta Proctor is a very good addition. She is very active in the Eastern European market and has excellent people skills‘

‘The team is highly responsive and offers sound commercial advice to individuals and trustees alike’

‘The team is consistently knowledgeable and accessible. We love working with a number of individuals but would highlight Beatrice Puoti, who is exceptional, John Barnett, who is technically brilliant, and Suzanna Harvey, who is lovely to work with’

‘Jim Aveline and John Barnett are very good at working out client needs and both identifying points of technical weakness in tax and providing a solution‘

‘Experts in their field and always willing to assist intermediaries and clients’

‘John Barnett and Beatrice Puoti are motivated, knowledgeable and keen to achieve the best outcomes for their clients. They have a stable of high-net-worth clients, which is a testament to their ability to attract and retain sought-after clients’

‘The practice has subject matter experts who excel in their area of expertise, and who provide advice and guidance in a very practical and efficient manner. John Barnett stands out‘

‘Catherine de Maid is excellent‘

‘Saleem Sheikh and James Cohen stand out for their personalised service and attention to detail’

‘I have received prompt and excellent service with great attention to detail and what I consider to be practical and sensible advice’

‘In my experience the coordination of the whole team at GSC is brilliant. In the absence of our main contact, we were still attended to in a very timely and efficient manner. It appears the team is extremely organised and has good communication system’

‘James Cohen is a very calm and patient personality. He was well aware of the subject matter and guided us diligently and in a timely manner. He also took efforts to write us details of our conversations and discussions clarifying again any doubts and queries we had raised’

‘GSC provides bespoke and personalised legal advice. James Cohen is approachable and provides considered and tailored advice‘

‘The private client team at GSC always handles client matters in a timely and efficient way. The lawyers are able to simplify complex matters in a way that clients understand‘

‘James Cohen is available even out of office hours, on demand, to ensure that our clients are offered a Rolls-Royce service‘

‘James’ technical expertise is second to none and our clients are all very complimentary of him. He is personable, knowledgeable and efficient‘

‘The professionalism of the private client team at Kingsley Napley, with years of experience and a range of talent, was evident throughout. The team’s attention to detail and excellent judgement is exemplified by its clear understanding and highly approachable manner toward clients‘

‘This team has experience in cross-border matters and it understands the complexity of such cases and the importance of working with lawyers from other jurisdictions. It is always possible to discuss any issues of international law which arise to find the right answer, and talk about any practical difficulty so that a pragmatic solution is found‘

‘James Ward brings a certain dynamism, mixing quality advice with a commercial sense’

‘James Ward has the rare ability to deal with sensitive individual issues in a professional and empathetic way. His outstanding and clear communication skills make easy work of complex issues’

‘James Ward is a highly committed, knowledgeable and experienced private client solicitor. Always providing considered guidance on trust, personal tax and probate matters, James ensures his clients are front and centre and receive the best possible service at the highest levels‘

‘I have no hesitation in referring HNW clients to Kingsley Napley, because it is clear that the firm takes pride in the quality of its client experience and I am comfortable that the client will be well looked after. Stephanie Mooney, Joseph Austin and James Ward all have a consistent approach – they are responsive and proactive, and you know what you are going to get with them‘

‘Jim Sawer provides a very professional, knowledgeable and personal individual service’

‘KN is at the cutting edge of legal advice – the lawyers are quick to respond to communication and have sharp minds. I work with Joseph Austin, who is excellent. He works efficiently and quickly, and his knowledge in the private client sector is fantastic. He is also sympathetic and calm when dealing with complicated matters‘

‘Sarah Cormack is always a pleasure to work with. Gillian Kennedy-Smith is a good all-round private client lawyer‘

‘The firm has an in-depth knowledge of a broad range of private client legal issues. It offers the same service as other well-regarded and experienced firms, but at a competitive price‘

‘Gillian Kennedy-Smith is a pleasure to deal with. She has great legal knowledge and experience whilst still providing advice which is easy to understand. She also has an excellent client manner’

‘Very personable and easy to work with. It feels like a team effort‘

‘Efficient and easy to deal with. Andrew Goodman provides clear, user-friendly tax advice’

‘The lawyers are relevant and valuable to the private clients advised by the wider firm, often acting on complex, multinational and dynamic business-related matters. This shows that OC truly understands and values relationships with clients as individuals as much as businesses or legal cases‘

‘It is always a pleasure to engage Stuart Janaway. He is assured and experienced in all private client matters, but particularly valuable to UK and US clients with complex trust work to remediate and take forward as a new trustee. He continues to operate at the heart of the demanding and dynamic world of the firm’s excellent markets and deal-making practice‘

‘The Stevens & Bolton private client team provides high-quality, practical advice which is very reassuring, particularly when dealing with more complex tax and legal issues’

‘The team has a very good range of experience which enables it to deal with most situations very effectively. The level of service and response times are also very good. You feel like you are getting value for money‘

‘The whole team is very approachable and I have no hesitation in continuing to recommend the team to my clients‘

‘Nick Acomb has a great ability to explain legal matters to clients in a way that they understand’

‘You know that you are in good hands. I have worked with Daryl Fox and Harriet Irving, and I receive outstanding service. The quality of service and depth of knowledge are exceptional‘

‘Daryl Fox, supported by Abigail Palmer-Page, has always been very accessible, prompt in replying to any queries, and indeed very proactive in spotting possible opportunities or looming problems‘

‘Rosie Todd and Harriet Irving bring the highest level of intellectual rigour and legal analysis to their work, which gives the client real confidence in the solutions that they come up with – and they are both a pleasure to work with‘

‘Rosie Todd has one of the finest intellects in private client work. This gives her a creative edge over competitors and enables her to find solutions where others might not‘

‘Helen Bunker is standout partner‘.

‘Arshoo Singh is fantastic – intelligent and thorough with excellent client manner‘

‘Arshoo’s manner towards the client was very good. She remained calm and provided clear, straightforward explanations of the law’

‘I have worked with Arshoo Singh and found her to be the consummate professional: clearly knowledgeable yet personable and user-friendly with clients‘

‘Arshoo Singh is a non-contentious practitioner who also has experience of contentious probate work, which gives her a real edge in advising on complex probate issues. She has a real grasp of detail and excellent judgement and legal skills‘

‘The team is commercial and diligent, responding to clients in a clear and un-fussy way’

‘The lawyers have a real practical approach to private clients which resonates both with other professionals and the client‘

‘The team’s strength is its experience and expertise in private client matters, both contentious and non-contentious’

‘Jeremy Curtis is very practical and good with clients’

‘Jeremy Curtis is an exceptional private client lawyer – he has an ability to ask the pertinent questions at all times, and he has a gentle approach matched with a razor-sharp intellect. An impressive private client and trust lawyer‘

‘Paul Fairbairn is invariably professional, as well as being a likeable and approachable person‘

‘John Goodchild combines a high level of technical expertise with an intelligent and creative approach to problem-solving‘

‘John Goodchild works with rather than for the clients. He gives sound advice at a reasonable price‘

‘Mark Spash is very supportive. Phone calls are always returned and everyone, from reception to associates, makes what could be distressing easy to cope with’

‘Mark Splash is ever efficient and gives excellent advice‘

‘Amelia Beringer has exactly the right balance of the friendly and the professional. She puts me at my ease’

‘A very approachable and efficient team who always answered any queries in a timely and comprehensive manner‘

‘Matthew Biles is an outstanding solicitor. He dealt with a complex probate/ inheritance tax situation in a thoroughly efficient and professional manner. I would highly recommend him‘

‘Exceptionally professional with the clients at its heart‘

‘The focus is on the best solution for the client and not on providing standard advice, even if the case is similar to many others, as some specific circumstances may differ‘

‘The team work appears very good, with delegation from the partner to more junior staff where appropriate‘

‘As a relatively small practice there’s good communication between the departments, so I always feel the firm knows my personal circumstances and can advise accordingly’

‘Ian Bowyer is very efficient and responsive. It is this no-nonsense, responsive approach that differentiates the team from competitors‘

‘Ian Bowyer was extremely resourceful and helpful, I cannot thank him enough‘

‘Ian Bowyer listens proactively in order to fully understand the clients’ needs and ensure the most appropriate solution is found. He studies the rules from all perspectives to identify the solution that best fits the case‘

‘Muna Rogoff put me at my ease and was excellent and charming’

‘The majority of the work which we refer involves intestate estates. The team at Moon Beever has an in-depth knowledge of intestacy and the necessary resources and personnel to process such work both quickly and efficiently‘

‘The private client team is experienced, approachable and practical‘

‘Richard Boulding is pleasant, well respected and good with clients. He is an experienced solicitor, exceptionally bright and diligent, with good attention to detail and excellent organisational skills’

‘Charlotte Pollard is empathetic, efficient and incredibly easy to work with’

‘Charlotte deals very efficiently with matters referred to her and provides clients with a pragmatic and efficient approach. Charlotte has a refreshingly enthusiastic approach to complex and sometimes challenging estates’

‘The depth of knowledge within the team is a huge positive and the lawyers are all very personable. Charlotte Pollard is exceptional in her knowledge, output and the manner that she deals with people. She immediately puts clients at ease‘

‘Charlotte is thorough in her work and always stays in touch. She manages to be professional and personable at once, a skill not many have‘

‘Charlotte doesn’t just know the law, she understands people and takes the time to get to know them‘

‘It is a small, focused team and you can be confident of quality advice whoever picks up the phone. Friendly, approachable and direct‘

‘An open and approachable manner, backed up by a top level of knowledge and experience‘

‘Really practical proactive advice to clients with a reasonable fee attached. Extremely responsive and I have always had a very quick response time on queries‘

‘Stuart Crippin is approachable and extremely knowledgeable. He has a calm and reassuring approach, helping to break down often complicated matters to the lay client‘

‘Stuart Crippin’s wide-ranging knowledge and experience allows him to make sensible decisions, especially in complicated IHT and probate matters. He is well supported by Zoe Pearse, who is approachable and efficient‘

‘Stuart Crippin is a lawyer who understands complex cross-border legal situations and knows how to achieve excellent results quickly by including and collaborating with excellent law firms abroad’

‘Sarah Clacker is super-smart and able to break down and explain supremely complicated cross-jurisdictional tax issues in a brilliantly straightforward way. She constantly surprises with her encyclopaedic knowledge of the area and will answer the most obscure questions immediately. She is very responsive and can turn advice around very quickly‘

‘Sarah Clacker in particular is able to take extremely complex legal issues and translate them to clients in a way in which they understand. I have come across very few lawyers with the ability to do this well‘

‘The firm has a strong client base in the North East, including plenty of landed estate clients in that region‘

‘A standout partner for me is Alexander Dickinson, who has a great client base with art and art issues. He is dynamic and handles matters well‘

‘WBD’s private client department offers a modern approach to a traditional field of work. The department manages to advise effectively on all private wealth issues, from the traditional landed gentry and family office scenarios to entrepreneurs and career professionals’

‘Neil Long is exceptionally effective, approachable and unassumingly clever. Alexander Dickinson exudes an air of confidence and reassurance‘