Overview

High net worth (HNW) and ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals face increasingly complex challenges in managing, protecting and growing their wealth. With assets frequently held in multiple countries, family members living in numerous jurisdictions and laws and taxes changing constantly, HNW and UHNW individuals need expert legal advice across a wide range of disciplines. 

The needs of individual clients and their families have always been at the heart of our practice. We provide market-leading advice to HNW and UHNW individuals from around the world on all aspects of managing, protecting and growing their wealth. Acting for some of the world's wealthiest individuals and families, we field an expert multi-disciplinary team to address all of our clients' legal needs.

As well as advising on core private client services such as tax, succession planning, wealth structuring and immigration, we provide an integrated service across all key practice areas which matter to our individual private clients, including corporate, real estate, planning, construction, family and dispute resolution.

We work seamlessly with clients' existing international legal advisers, accountants and investment advisers, as well as our own network of preferred firms offering the best possible local advice, to provide a truly international service.

Areas of focus

Our expertise includes the following:

  • Tax – we cover all aspects of UK taxation for individuals (both UK resident and non-UK resident) and their asset holding structures, including assisting clients with HMRC tax investigations and disclosures.
  • Wealth structuring – we commonly advise on establishing and restructuring trusts and other asset holding structures, both in England and overseas.
  • Succession planning – we provide cross-border succession planning advice, including on applicable succession regimes and relevant treaties.
  • Probate administration – we are experienced in the administration of estates for individuals dying domiciled both within and outside the UK.
  • Trust and succession disputes – we advise on all aspects of dispute resolution in trust and succession matters, ensuring our clients understand the rights and responsibilities of each party as well as the risk and likely costs of all possible courses of action.
  • Immigration – we assist private individuals wishing to move to the UK, advising on the requirements of the full range of UK immigration categories with a particular focus on family, entrepreneur, investment and settlement routes as well as UK nationality applications.
  • Residential and commercial property – we assist our high and ultra high net worth clients with all aspects of their residential and commercial property needs.
  • Asset protection – we provide family law advice on divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and the effectiveness of asset holding structures in a matrimonial context.
  • Governance – we prepare family charters, shareholders agreements and governance structures for wealthy families and their businesses.
  • Transactional – we advise our high and ultra high net worth clients on the sale, acquisition and restructuring of both their business and personal assets.
Experience

Advising non-UK resident individuals and families wishing to move to the UK on their immigration options and pre-arrival tax planning, including the creation of suitable asset holding structures.

Advising a variety of clients on the changes to the UK tax treatment of UK residential property held within offshore structures and on the available restructuring options.

Advising a number of ultra high net worth clients on HMRC enquiries into their UK tax positions, including responding to queries on structures containing more than £100 million of assets.

Establishing family investment companies for a number of clients to assist with preserving wealth for the next generation.

Administering the estates of non-domiciliaries with multi-jurisdictional issues.

Advising on potential breach of trust claims, particularly in relation to the investment of trust assets.

Acting on behalf of various families making investments into early stage businesses including using EIS and SEIS tax reliefs.

Advising on acquisitions and disposals of business interests, alongside structuring and implementing investment structures and advising on the regulatory aspects of dealings with quoted investments.

Acting for individuals with significant and complex assets to reach financial settlements on divorce.

Acting for individuals requiring advice on pre and post marital agreements, often where agreements are required in multiple jurisdictions, as part of tax and estate planning.

Meet the team

Suzanna Harvey Partner

  • Head of Private Wealth
  • Private Client Services
  • International Tax
Rupert Weston

Rupert Weston Partner

  • Corporate
  • Hotels
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
Headshot John Barnett

John Barnett Partner

  • Head of Partnerships
  • Private Client Services
  • Tax
Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming
Tom Hewitt

Tom Hewitt Partner

  • Private Wealth
  • Head of Estates and Land
  • Head of Food and Farming
Sarah Hoskinson 1

Sarah Hoskinson Partner

  • Family Law and Divorce
  • Private Client Services
  • Private Wealth
Justin Briggs

Justin Briggs Partner

  • Trust Disputes
  • Tax Negligence
  • Pension Disputes
Zoe Longman

Zoë Longman Director

  • Head of Residential Real Estate
  • Real Estate
  • Bona Vacantia and Escheat

What others say...

The level of technical competence of the team is outstanding. Coupled with its practical application makes it a formidable team. It is our 'go to' firm of solicitors.

Legal 500 2022

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