With more than twenty years’ experience advising private clients, I am recognised for my expertise in tax, estate planning, and trust law—both in the UK and internationally. Clients regularly seek my guidance on complex, high stakes matters, valuing my ability to deliver clear, strategic advice that protects their interests and supports their ambitions across generations and borders. My approach combines technical excellence with a personal commitment to each client’s unique vision and priorities.
Expertise
Tax and Estate Planning
Comprehensive advice on personal and cross-border tax matters, estate planning, and succession strategies. Services include inheritance tax planning, wills, and wealth preservation for future generations.
Trusts and Fiduciary Structures
Guidance on setting up, administering, and restructuring trusts and other holding vehicles. Advising settlors, beneficiaries and trustees. Includes trust drafting, fiduciary risk management, acting as trustee or protector, and advising on governance and compliance.
Family Governance and Succession
Support for families navigating generational wealth transfer, including family charters, governance frameworks, business succession planning, and non-executive directorships in family businesses.
Private Client Disputes and Litigation
In partnership with litigation colleagues, managing contentious matters, including trust and probate disputes, contentious tax issues, and litigation involving fiduciaries.
Life Events & Relationship Transitions
Advice on legal and financial planning during major personal transitions such as marriage, cohabitation, separation, or divorce. This includes liaising with family lawyers on nuptial agreements, asset protection, and cross-border considerations.
International Mobility Pensions & Property Advisory
Support with changing tax residence, obtaining visas and citizenship, acquiring international property, managing global real estate investments and organising pensions - ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strategic alignment with long-term goals.
It’s been a privilege to support clients through meaningful moments and complex decisions. I’m grateful to share a few reflections they’ve generously offered about our work together.
“James has supported me for nearly fifteen years through relocation, property transactions, business disputes, divorce and charitable projects. In addition to his wise counsel and expertise, he is incredibly hands on and goes the extra mile when things get tough. ”
— UK resident Egyptian entrepreneur
“We have worked with James for nearly fifteen years. We have acted as trustee for his clients, and he has assisted with a number of our trusts, giving legal opinions, drafting documents and preparing Wills for beneficiaries. James cuts through complexity, has a light touch, and is easy to get on with.”
— Swiss trust company
“James has navigated me through the UK investor visa, changes to the UK tax regime, relocation back to my home country and the design of investment holding structures. He is incredibly professional, well-connected and solution oriented.”
— EU-based professional investor
“At a time of significant regulatory change, James carried out a comprehensive risk review of our trust business. As well as his legal expertise and sound judgment, he understands the human and commercial factors that impact on client relationships. He not only helped protect our business from legal risk, he designed processes and procedures which led to fruitful client discussions and additional assets under management. ”
— Private bank and family office
“It is no exaggeration to say James has been instrumental in facilitating the path our family’s life has taken over the last few years, from negotiating a favourable resolution to a dispute with my employer, obtaining rulings from HMRC, assisting with immigration matters and advising on cross-border taxation.”
— UK and EU-based family of Russian origin
