Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP

Private wealth law firm Maurice Turnor Gardner (MTG) has promoted Stuart Smyth to the partnership with effect from 1 May 2026. Mr Smyth is currently counsel in the firm’s private wealth team and has developed a strong international practice, with particular focus on clients in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and Switzerland. He advises UK-based and international families, entrepreneurs, family offices and trustees on complex cross-border estate and tax planning. His work includes pre-arrival planning for individuals coming to the UK, ongoing advice once they become UK tax residents, and succession planning across multiple jurisdictions. He also advises on the establishment and governance of asset-holding structures and has significant experience in private corporate matters, including the reorganisation of family businesses and planning for the transition of control and value to the next generation. Mr Smyth joined MTG in 2016 from penningtons Manches Cooper where he had trained and worked for three years. He was promoted to counsel in 2023. He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and was named as an eprivateclient NextGen Leader in 2023. Emma-Jane Weider, MTG’s managing partner, commented: "Stuart’s promotion recognises his international practice and the trust he has earned from clients in the UK and overseas. He brings technical rigour and a straightforward approach to complex cross-border planning. We are delighted to welcome him to the partnership.’ Mr Smyth added: "I am thrilled to be joining the partnership at Maurice Turnor Gardner. The partners are highly regarded in the private wealth market and recognised as leaders in their field, and it’s a real mark of confidence that they have invited me to join them. I look forward to continuing to develop my international practice, particularly in the GCC region and Switzerland, and to supporting clients on the governance and succession of family wealth."

Rebecca joins from Russell-Cooke where she was head of their family office.  Rebecca is an experienced private client lawyer advising UK and international clients on all aspects of private client law including residence and domicile,estate planning, wills, administration of estates (including high value, multi-jurisdictional and intestate estates), trust creation and administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Rebecca’s clients include families, family businesses, entrepreneurs, trust companies and family offices.  Rebecca has particular expertise in advising entrepreneurs and multi-generational businesses on wealth planning, succession and protection.  She also has particular interest advising on the tax and inheritance aspects of the division of family assets including the use of trust structures to create provision for former spouses, civil partners and children (Schedule 1 cases), and works closely with a number of niche family law practices. Head of Private Wealth, Fiona Poole commented: “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to the partnership at MTG.  Rebecca brings a wealth of private client experience, and her appointment is an excellent addition to our team.  We look forward to Rebecca joining us and the impact she will have as MTG continues to grow.” Maurice Turnor Gardner has experience of all the issues which affect wealthy individuals (and their families and trustees).

Mary has been at the firm since 2015 and will become a partner in MTG’s Band 1 Real Estate team from 1 May 2025 alongside Sarah Conway and Edward Burton.  Mary specialises in complex prime and super prime residential property acquisitions and disposals, residential development and enfranchisement claims, particularly for private clients. Mary commented: “I’m honoured to be joining the MTG partnership.  It is a testament to the incredible team I have the privilege to work alongside, both the wider MTG family and our Real Estate team, and I am excited to build upon the strong foundation we’ve established.  As a team, we will be continuing to deliver exceptional results for our clients and I look forward to contributing to our ongoing success.” Head of Real Estate, Sarah Conway commented: “We are delighted to welcome Mary to the partnership at MTG.  Mary is a long-standing valued member of our team and has a wealth of experience advising private clients on their high value residential properties.  We look forward to Mary joining the partnership and the impact she will have as MTG continues to grow.” MTG is a boutique private client firm based in London.  The real estate team focuses on the acquisition, disposal and letting of high-value residential property for corporate and private clients in the UK and the rest of the world. Ranked in the top tier by Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, the team was named Residential Property Team of the Year at the Chambers HNW Awards in 2023.