11 November 2025
Contributor: Euan Small
7 November 2025
Contributor: Thomas Boyle
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Many things can make someone’s affairs more difficult to manage. Complex assets, family dynamics or international aspects are just the most common situations in which it’s important to ensure that when key decisions are made they don’t increase the risk of problems in the future.
We’re able to apply the skills and expertise of legal experts not just in our Private Wealth and Tax team but around the firm – Agricultural, Employment, Immigration, and many others. Having all these resources around the firm means that we can help in many situations.
Our advice always starts with an in-depth understanding of all the circumstances (not purely financial), including the person’s values and goals. Only then can we ensure that the will protects assets against potential future claims, effectively works within the UK tax regime and any overseas ones that apply; makes any charitable bequests efficiently, and takes account of any other particular issues that apply. We advise on making the best use of all the other tools available, such as powers of attorney and trusts.
Our many specialists in rural law have a genuine understanding of the agricultural world that comes from being embedded in it and committed to it. They can advise on the full range of issues that can arise, from agricultural tenancies to renewable energy projects to buying and selling all types of property.
Family businesses tend to have some distinctive qualities and priorities. We help them to keep control of the shareholding, incentivise staff, manage succession and disputes, and a wide range of other matters. Our depth of experience – around the whole firm – enables us to anticipate problems, and proactively help our clients to avoid short-term solutions that create issues in the future.
Property transactions are often important events and can have significant long-term implications, especially related to tax. We help you to choose the right approach at the time of the transaction, and so to avoid expensive problems arising when it’s too late to fix them, including when the buyer and the property are in different jurisdictions.
We help to ensure that philanthropic giving has the maximum benefit while avoiding negative effects. This includes assessing and revising donor agreements, assisting with regular reviews, assessing and reporting on a potential recipient’s constitutional documents and financial reports. When required we work closely with other advisers from outside the firm, such as accountants.
With so many visa options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Whether you are looking for initial strategic immigration advice or full support to prepare and submit an application, we will take away the stress.
We are also highly experienced in helping clients secure British citizenship. We pride ourselves in our fast turnaround times to ensure that our clients can achieve their goals without delay.
Disputes can of course take many forms, and be resolved in many ways. We’re experienced in the full range of issues, including rural disputes and contentious wills; and in all the methods of resolution, including mediation, negotiation and – when necessary – litigation.
Our fully comprehensive executry (in Scotland) or probate (in England & Wales) service ensures that everything is concluded efficiently and correctly. On the rare occasions that disputes arise, our litigation and dispute resolution specialists will find the best way to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion.
For individuals and families who choose to create a charitable trust, we can ensure that it is set up effectively, and provide admin support. Our full service includes advice on governance and compliance (including training for staff), preparation of annual accounts and of reports for the appropriate regulator, administering and paying donations, hosting meetings (including secretarial services), and assistance if the regulator launches an investigation.
Our team – which includes several dual-qualified lawyers, members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, and of the Association of Tax Technicians – advises on the effective use of capital gains tax reliefs, tax-favoured investments, and other tax planning tools. They are also able to help if your affairs have an international dimension, ensuring that you avoid double-taxation, and our Immigration team is also available to help people who are moving to or from the UK.
We also help individuals, trusts and estates to ensure that their tax returns correctly state their liabilities due to income and capital gains. This high-quality, personal service is tailored to each client’s particular needs and the specifics of their situation, so that individuals meet their obligations and trusts fulfil their compliance duties.
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