Irwin Mitchell’s private client practice is led by Caroline Shelton. The team handles the full spectrum of wealth and succession planning issues, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, estate administration, Court of Protection work, and both pre- and post-death tax planning. Shelton is noted for assisting both UK and international high-net-worth clients, particularly in relation to structuring assets to preserve and transfer wealth. Rose Macfarlane is a key figure in the team. In 2024, the group broadened its regional presence with the launch of a new office in Brighton.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Irwin Mitchell provide an excellent and reliable private client service.’
- ‘Brilliant, solutions-driven service, great client care, always responsive.’
- ‘Professional advice, carefully explained, and dealt with in a prompt and capable manner.’
- ‘I have found the team really easy to deal with, flexible with time, and genuinely caring in getting everything set up correctly.’
- ‘Caroline Shelton has led the team in taking care of us. She has demonstrated both professional ability in helping us achieve all of our goals on time.’
- ‘Caroline Shelton is an outstanding private client lawyer, and she is backed by a good team.’
- ‘Caroline Shelton is recognised for her professional attitude, helpful advice, and prompt replies.’
- 'The tax team at IM are second to none, responsive, advice always on point and incredibly user friendly with clients.'
Work highlights
Advising trustees on the termination of a trust holding shares in a private company with gain, and with a US resident beneficiary set to receive a share of the trust assets.
Advised the daughter of a highly successful 1960s producer whose widow died leaving an estate of £50m+ to her two children. Two very different variations of the mother’s Will were advised on, partly for efficient tax planning for the daughter, but also to ensure that there was equality between the siblings across different asset classes as a result of the very specific will legacy structure.
Advised business owners on the options available to them to settle or give outright shares in their business with a view to capturing the then 100% uncapped BPR on such companies, and potentially to limit CGT exposure through paying on settlement rather than holding over the gain. Clients opted to make use of multiple trusts to mitigate ongoing IHT during the lives of the trusts, and all aspects were completed in advance of the budget on a strict timescale to ensure full compliance.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Caroline Shelton
Other key lawyers
Liam Colville; Rose Macfarlane; Sophia Parkes