Private client, trusts and fiduciary services
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Private client, trusts and fiduciary services

Our team of experts work with private individuals and institutions on all matters relating to trusts, from their establishment, to administration issues, taxation, commercial and litigation matters. This advice will relate to family trusts, remuneration trusts (such as EBTs) and pensions - both in the UK and offshore. We frequently act for professional trustees and will advise them on matters of trust law, taxation and contentious and non-contentious litigation.
  • Profile
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Our team can provide advice to private individuals and companies on the creation of UK and offshore trusts, covering trust law, asset protection and taxation issues. We work with all the major trust and company service providers around the world and we can advise clients on appropriate jurisdictions and provider.

Our team provides expert advice in relation to ongoing tax issues affecting trustees, trust funds and beneficiaries. We regularly represent trustees before tax tribunals and courts and we can also provide legal advice to trustees, settlors and beneficiaries on non-contentious matters. We are particularly experienced in dealing with contentious matrimonial proceedings where an offshore trust is holding assets which are potentially part of the matrimonial settlement.

We can act for trustees and offshore companies in the acquisition and disposal of UK property and we advise on all associated legal and tax issues.

Finally, we have a very experienced pensions team which advises on all aspects of UK pension law.

"This team has a huge amount of experience. The lawyers have a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience that makes it ideal for cross-border trust litigation."
The Legal 500 UK 2021

International wealth structuring

Creating and advising upon trusts in the UK and a wide variety of "offshore" jurisdictions. Our team is also experienced in dealing with foundations, LLCs, guarantee companies and other hybrid vehicles popular in international wealth structuring.

Tax investigations

Our team is experienced in dealing with HMRC enquiries and serious fraud investigations under HMRC Code of Practice 9. We have also acted for a number of clients who wish to use some of the disclosure facilities the UK government has agreed with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the British Dependant/Overseas Territories.

Individual/family and foreign domiciliary tax planning

Providing tax advice for a wide variety of families and the trustees of family trusts in a number of jurisdictions. Our team has a particular expertise in the remittance basis of taxation.

International pensions

Advising upon offshore unregistered pension schemes. Our lawyers are recognised as being one of the leading authorities in this field. Our work encompasses EFRBS, QROPS and QNUPS and our lawyers have created and advised upon a large number of schemes. We are particularly experienced in dealing with International Pension Plans (IPPs).

Asset protection

Our private wealth team has considerable expertise in complex asset protection work. Typically this involves the creation of trust and company structures in "boutique" asset protection jurisdictions.

UK pensions

We have a fully-fledged UK pensions practice and can advise on all aspects of UK pension law and regulation, as well as litigation.

Lawyer

James Quarmby Partner

T:  +44 20 7809 2364
M:  +44 7958 776 759 Email James | Vcard Office:  London

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© Stephenson Harwood LLP 2016. Any reference to Stephenson Harwood in this document means Stephenson Harwood LLP and/or its affiliated undertakings. Any reference to a partner is used to refer to a member of Stephenson Harwood LLP.