Private Client

Trust and estates: Core distinction

By Legal Week | March 30, 2010

The so-called 'rule in Re Hastings-Bass' has become a workhorse for setting aside mistaken trustee decisions. It was memorably described by Lord Neuberger at last year's Chancery Bar Association conference as a "magical morning-after pill [for] trustees suffering post-transaction remorse" and has very recently been described by Justice Norris in the following terms: "When the court of appeal fashioned for the trustees of the 1947 settlement upon Captain Hastings-Bass a stout shield against an attack upon the validity of their decisions by the Inland Revenue, the members of the court cannot have supposed that they were creating for such trustees a powerful weapon enabling them to attack their own decisions in the face of objections by the Inland Revenue. But that, of course, is what has occurred in the development of what is called 'the rule in Hastings-Bass' (Re Hastings-Bass [1975] Ch 25)".

1 minute read

Private client/family team of the year

By Legal Week | December 8, 2009

"What really impressed me was their sensitivity and understanding of the broader issues." So said Terence Fane-Saunders of Farrer & Co's work acting on the disposal of Titian's Diana and Actaeon to the National Gallery and National Galleries of Scotland. At £50m this was the UK's biggest ever sale of art in private hands to the nation. Farrers' entry for this category was replete with glowing client references and evidence of top quality work and clients.

1 minute read

A taxing debate

By Legal Week | December 1, 2009

When it comes to tax advice, lawyers frequently find themselves crossing with accountants and financial advisers. But when it comes to regulation, to what extent lawyers are treated as financial advisers is a key question. Increasing levels of legislation - both that which has come about in the last year-and-a-half and that on the horizon - was at the front of advisers' minds at Legal Week's Private Client Forum, held last month in Italy.

1 minute read

International Edition

A taxing debate

By Legal Week | December 1, 2009

When it comes to tax advice, lawyers frequently find themselves crossing with accountants and financial advisers. But when it comes to regulation, to what extent lawyers are treated as financial advisers is a key question. Increasing levels of legislation - both that which has come about in the last year-and-a-half and that on the horizon - was at the front of advisers' minds at Legal Week's Private Client Forum, held last month in Italy.

1 minute read

Offshore: In good health

By Legal Week | November 17, 2009

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has recently published a report, entitled 'Offshore Evolution - Transparency and Solutions in Cross Border Wealth Restructuring July 2009'. Based on interviews with leading practitioners over the past six months, the report seeks to offer some predictions about the private client industry for the next 12 to 18 months. The predictions offered in the report are split into two different categories. Firstly, there are a number of "impact" predictions, which seek to identify trends or impacts happening in our industry over which firms have limited control. Secondly, the report identifies a number of "response" predictions which are termed as actions or approaches that industry might make to the impact predictions.

1 minute read

Career Clinic: How can I get into a more client-facing role?

By Legal Week | November 11, 2009

"I'm currently a general corporate/commercial tax lawyer at a national firm with just over one year's PQE. Although I really enjoy the intellectual aspects of tax work and get on well with my team, I would like to move into a more client-facing specialism, such as high net worth private client or family..."

1 minute read

Withers installs Asia senior partner with Hong Kong transfer

By Legal Week | October 5, 2009

Withers has appointed a senior partner for Asia with the relocation of Joe Field from the firm's New York office. Field joins Withers' 15-lawyer Hong Kong base, which was launched in January last year.

1 minute read

Mills & Reeve makes Farrers and City boutique hires

By Legal Week | September 23, 2009

Mills & Reeve has bolstered its private client and insurance practices with two partner appointments. The top 50 UK law firm has brought in Chris Belcher as a partner for its Cambridge private client group. Belcher is due to join Mills & Reeve on 1 October from Farrer & Co, which he joined in 2001 from Sharpe Pritchard. He led Farrers' onshore private client team and will take Mills & Reeve's practice to 16 partners.

1 minute read

In the back of the mind

By Legal Week | June 18, 2009

Family and private client law are usually treated as separate disciplines. At a recent Legal Week panel debate, however, a strong case was made for bringing family and private client teams together when it comes to advising wealthy clients.

1 minute read

Pinsents transfers partner to Dubai to head up local corporate team

By Legal Week | June 16, 2009

Pinsent Masons has added a Dubai corporate head as the firm bids to boost its Gulf presence. Birmingham-based partner Alan Wood has transferred to the emirate to head up the local corporate team, with a brief to expand the firm's capabilities in the region. The firm has not previously had a local leader of the group, which was launched in June 2008 and until now consisted of just two associates.

1 minute read

Connecticut Law Tribune

Four Tips for Avoiding Problem Clients

By Alanna Clair and Shari L. Klevens | December 5, 2017

The challenge, of course, is to screen out the problem clients without significantly impacting the attorneys' business and financial needs.

1 minute read

International Edition

Appleby under the spotlight as data hack releases millions of client documents to media

By Anna Ward | November 6, 2017

Offshore firm faces intense media scrutiny after cybersecurity breach

1 minute read

Daily Business Review

Broward Lawyer's Hard-Fought $3.6 Million Settlement Comes With a Tinge of Sadness

By Samantha Joseph | October 30, 2017

Fresh off a multimillion-dollar victory described as one of the largest settlements in the School District of Palm Beach County's history, attorney…

1 minute read

International Edition

Offshore firm Appleby admits cyber breach as clients prepare for data leak

By James Booth | October 25, 2017

Appleby admits to 2016 cyber breach as it prepares for data leak

1 minute read

International Edition

The British Legal Awards 2017: have you made the shortlist?

By Legal Week | October 10, 2017

A&O, Kirkland, CMS and Fieldfisher among eight contenders for Law Firm of the Year at next month's ceremony as full shortlists for all awards are revealed

1 minute read

International Edition

The death of a director: the legal issues for private companies

By Legal Week | September 4, 2017

How trusts can help to deal with the disruption caused by the death or incapacity of shareholders and directors of a private company

1 minute read

International Edition

Who are the world's top private client and trusts lawyers?

By Legal Week | March 14, 2017

New supplement set to profile private client legal community's global elite

1 minute read

International Edition

Transatlantic Legal Awards launch with call for entries showcasing top deals and law firms

By Legal Week | February 20, 2017

In-house legal teams will also be recognised at June's awards, which will be jointly hosted by Legal Week and The American Lawyer

1 minute read

International Edition

'The event by which all the others judge themselves' - the Legal Week Trust & Estates Litigation Forum

By Legal Week | January 16, 2017

Attendees at the Legal Week Trust & Estates Litigation Forum on what makes the event an essential date in the diary

1 minute read

International Edition

British Legal Awards Private Client Team of the Year: Irwin Mitchell

By Legal Week | December 15, 2016

Team recognised for work on landmark Supreme Court ruling

1 minute read