Firm Profile > Boodle Hatfield LLP > London, England

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

Boodle Hatfield LLP has a national reach with offices in Oxford and London. The skilled team continues to act for over 80 landed estates under the leadership of Saskia Arthur and Andrea Zavos. It regularly assists wealthy individuals investing in landed estates, country houses and farms in addition to acting as trustee for a number of major estates. Sue Laing and Fiona Graham are also key figures. Other key areas of expertise lie in advising young entrepreneurial heirs/owners of landed estates on setting up business ventures as well as advising significant estates on issues relating to tax migration and the management of substantial capital tax charges.

Art and cultural property Tier 1

Under the leadership of Simon Fitzpatrick at Boodle Hatfield LLP the team regularly advises on high-profile art litigation as well as on private art sales disputes. It is a full service offering that acts for a broad range of artists from well-known and high-net-worth artists, through to up-and-coming street artists. The skilled group is also increasingly acting for galleries, auction houses and museums. The department has particular skill in advising on significant art and luxury asset financing in the UK. Natasha Hassall is another known name for her work on long-term estate and tax planning. Hassall acts for various large landed estates where there is heritage property and substantial art collections. Becky Shaw is also recommended. However, it remains to be seen what impact the recent departures of Tim  Maxwell and Rudy Capildeo to Charles Russell Speechlys LLP will have on the practice.

Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

Boodle Hatfield LLP fields a highly-regarded trust and estates team that continues to act in many of the leading matters both onshore and offshore. The team that is led by Andrea Zavos acts for various individuals and families in the resolution of disputes and the management of complex litigation. The team is well-known for its expertise in advising on multi-jurisdictional tax, asset protection, trusts, family businesses and governance issues as well as on succession matters. Simon Rylatt is highly recommended for his work on both domestic and international trust and estates disputes. Mark Lindley also garners considerable praise for his work on disputes involving large estates and trust funds for high-net-worth beneficiaries, trustees and trust companies. James Woods-Davison is noted for his work on complex domestic and international matters.

M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m Tier 1

M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m Tier 1

Residential property Tier 1

Boodle Hatfield LLP's team - a 'market-leader in the field of residential property' - advises on the sale and purchase of prime central London property as well as country houses across the UK, while also handling related matters such as enfranchisement, rebuilds and residential development. The group's vast expertise also spans de-enveloping, tax structuring and advising clients on agricultural holdings. Shaima Jillood, whose expertise lies in acquisitions, disposals and financing, heads the firm's Middle East practice, which has acted on hundreds of transactions in the last year relating to investment in UK properties by ultra high-net-worth Middle Eastern clients. Practice head Saskia Arthur advises on deals involving landed estates and commercial farming operations, as well as landlord and tenant issues.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 2

Boodle Hatfield LLP has an excellent team that advises wealthy individuals and their families, family businesses and art collectors on a whole range of issues. Other key clients include trustees, philanthropists, protectors and family offices. It is skilled at providing advice on issues ranging from wealth and succession planning through to the effective use of trusts and charitable initiatives. It is often instructed by beneficiaries in relation to valuable family trusts; Salpy Kouyoumjian runs the firm’s Middle East private office that advises high-net-worth individuals on a whole host of issues. Andrea Zavos heads the team.

Commercial property: development Tier 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP is strong on both the development and investment fronts, with practice head Simon Williams particularly experienced in relation to city centre urban renewal projects and hotel developments. His team is also recommended for major portfolio work including lettings, disposals and acquisitions as well as mixed-use and residential developments. Private capital clients rely on the group’s expertise, including family offices, private funds and overseas high-net-worth individuals.

Commercial property: investment Tier 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP is strong on both the development and investment fronts, with practice head Simon Williams particularly experienced in relation to city centre urban renewal projects and hotel developments. His team is also recommended for major portfolio work including lettings, disposals and acquisitions as well as mixed-use and residential developments. Private capital clients rely on the group’s expertise, including family offices, private funds and overseas high-net-worth individuals.

Family Tier 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP has had a busy year and continues to act on financially complex cases for high-net-worth individuals in the UK and overseas where there are considerable reputational and tax-based issues to be considered. It has been advising high-profile clients with significant family businesses. The team is also well-equipped to advise on pre- and post-nuptial agreements as well as on cross-border children disputes where there are sensitive mental health and child abduction issues. Its client base has been expanding. As well as acting for individuals and families with ‘old money’ it continues to build its reputation among senior professionals, entrepreneurs and established businessmen and women. James Ferguson heads the team.

Property litigation Tier 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP has a strong profile for leasehold enfranchisement matters, acting for landlords and tenants alike, alongside access and restrictive covenant disputes and contentious residential tenancy issues. The 'very responsive and knowledgeable' team is also well versed in securing vacant possessions and handling disputes over basement developments, where it acts for a broad client base including investors, developers and high-net-worth individuals. The 'extraordinarily shrewd and unflappable' Colin Young heads the team and is 'definitely someone you would want on your side'.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 5

Boodle Hatfield LLP is a known name for its work with charities and individuals in their philanthropic pursuits. It is also well-regarded for its advice to corporate clients and family offices on various ways to structure philanthropic initiatives, and in other areas such as the establishment of new charities. Increasingly the firm is advising on alternative not-for-profit structures. Andrea Zavos heads the team that includes Eleanor Sepanski, who is skilled at dealing with governance issues, philanthropy and assisting companies with its CSR planning.

Contruction: non-contentious Tier 5

Boodle Hatfield LLP's practice acts for developers, professional consultants and high net worth individuals in the hotels, urban estates, residential and mixed-use development sectors. The team is led by John Wevill who has experience advising lenders, contractors and insurers on a range of projects. Oliver Johnson is the other key member of the practice, working in tandem with Wevill on the firm's key matters.

Commercial litigation Tier 6

Boodle Hatfield LLP's litigation team 'provide the same high quality of work and results that more than match a Magic - or Silver - Circle firm, yet with more direct partner level involvement that is not reflected in the costs charged'. The team advises on significant commercial disputes and is highly regarded for its arts law and arts finance litigation experience. Simon Fitzpatrick leads the commercial litigation team and senior associate Kellie Jones acts for several high-net-worth individuals from the Middle East, particularly in disputes involving joint ventures. Tim  Maxwell left for Charles Russell Speechlys LLP.

Property finance Tier 7

Adam Chamberlain, who joined from Shoosmiths LLP in October 2018, leads the practice at Boodle Hatfield LLP following the departure of former practice head James Dakin to found Newmanor Law. The team's client base includes investors, high-net-worth developers and specialist lenders, and it is active in transactions involving office, residential and private rented sector properties.

Agriculture and estates Tier 1

Boodle Hatfield LLP’s Oxford team provides a range of agricultural and rural business advice including strategic advice on diversification, devolution and development. Its expertise covers complex probates for the landed gentry, sophisticated multi-disciplinary work, sales and purchases of valuable residential property, farms and agricultural land in conjunction with related tax and property advice. Fiona Graham heads the practice. Natasha Hassall is also recommended.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 1

Boodle Hatfield LLP is known as one of the pre-eminent private client practices in the Thames Valley. Its expertise spans cross-border and multi-disciplinary tax, trusts structuring and succession planning work on behalf of high-net-worth clients, owners of landed estates and family businesses. The Oxford office also houses a top-tier contentious probate practice and can advise on art collections, including tax implications of the sale of art. Chartered Tax Adviser Fiona Graham has notable experience in domestic and international private client tax, trusts and succession matters. Key figure Natasha Hassell also has experience in long-term estate planning, handling both onshore and offshore trusts, tax planning and wills. Associate Eleanor Sopanski is recommended for offshore structures and international tax and estate planning, particularly in the US.

Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3

Boodle Hatfield LLP assists charities and philanthropic donors with corporate matters and philanthropic initiatives, such as advising on the establishment and registration of new charities, non-profit structures and liaising with the Charity Commission. Natasha Hassall and associate Eleanor Sepanski are the key contacts in Oxford.

Diversity/Community

Diversity/Community

Boodle Hatfield’s success is built on the enduring relationships it has developed over 300 years with its clients and staff. This is based on the respect we have for the individual, commitment to providing each person with the opportunity to succeed and the value we put on respecting diversity.

We are known for our positive working environment, friendly, informal atmosphere and a strong emphasis on developing each individual. We respect people of all backgrounds and have a good ethnic and gender balance amongst the staff.

We are particularly acknowledged for providing a good environment for women and we have been recognised in previous Euromoney Women in Law Awards. The firm won best National Firm across 31 countries from 2012 to 2016. Currently 56% of equity partners are women and two thirds of the fee earners are women.

We support the development of our staff by investing in our people and providing appropriate training so that employees have the opportunity to excel in their professional careers. This has led to a high retention rate of staff throughout all positions in the firm.

Corporate social responsibility

We are firmly committed to making a difference in the way that we conduct our business: we support initiatives that contribute to the good of the community, contribute financially to selected charitable causes and adopt environmentally friendly working practices.

Each year, within the firm, we select a Charity Partner to be the recipient of our fund raising activities. – see our website for more details here.

We are keen to support our people becoming involved in community initiatives and work with a range of community projects in Southwark. We work with local school children and undertake a reading scheme with St George’s Cathedral Catholic Primary School in Southwark. We also provide pro bono advice to local charities and trusts and run workshops for interns from local charities.