Private Client

Our specialist tax, trust and estate lawyers form one of London’s longest established and most experienced Private Client practices dating back to 1780.

We provide first class legal advice on tax and estate planning, however complex. More than that, we never forget that decisions made today impact well into the future and early planning is essential to protect assets for the lifetime of the owner and for the generations which follow. This is particularly the case with our Landed Estate clients who often feel that they are merely “stewards” or “custodians” of inherited wealth.

We currently administer trusts that are now benefitting second, third and fourth generations of the same family and we often manage the probate for Wills that we helped to draft lifetimes earlier. Probate work has been the cornerstone of our practice since the firm started. That is why families and executors rely on us to guide them through what can be a burdensome administrative process – doing what we can to get things completed as quickly as possible.

Our size and team based structure allows us to get to know our clients well and therefore build a close working relationship so that we are able to offer a flexible, personal service with a high degree of partner involvement. Clients can therefore be confident that our advice is bespoke and that every detail has been considered with their specific circumstances in mind.

We provide trust and tax advice to individuals, offshore, onshore and charitable trustees, executors, personal representatives and Court of Protection Deputies. As regards the latter, specialists in our team advise on how to provide for, and protect the interests of individuals who may lack mental capacity to manage their affairs and make decisions for themselves.

Using our experience and in-depth knowledge of personal UK taxation we can assist with careful and sensible lifetime tax planning, tax planning through Wills and post-death tax planning, to help preserve wealth, meaning it can be passed down generations avoiding the payment of unnecessary taxes over the years.

In addition, there has been the recent addition of a focussed Art and Luxury Assets team.

We act for clients who are domiciled in the UK as well as many non-UK domiciliaries who are either resident in the UK, spend part of the year in the UK, have assets located in the UK or have family interests here. As members of the legal networks Trans European Law Firms Alliance (TELFA) and USLAW, we are well positioned to advise such international clients on cross-border issues whether that is as regards succession and estate planning, asset protection or structuring UK or global investments.

News

GFOC Journal: Estate Planning for clients with UK and US connections

To read the full version of the Global Family Office Community Journal please click here.

News

The International Family Offices Journal: The right time to involve the next generation

Wedlake Bell Partner Antoaneta Proctor authors piece in March issue of The International Family Offices Journal.

News

Financial Times: How can I help my grandchildren buy property?

In this article for the Financial Times, Nick Mendoza answers the reader’s question asking, ‘how can I help my grandchildren buy property?’. To read the article, click here. (£)

News

Today’s Wills and Probate: The importance of leaving clear instructions in Wills

Senior Associate Nick Mendoza has written on the importance of leaving clear instructions in wills in “Today’s Wills and Probate”. To read the full article please click here.

News

Wedlake Bell augments offshore private client offering with partner addition from Irwin Mitchell

This article was first published in eprivateclient. This article is behind a paywall.

News

WHY PLANNING FOR SUCCESSION IS PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

Antoaneta Proctor, partner, written a piece discussing the importance of succession planning, published in today’s CampdenFB. To read the original article, please click here.

News

Summary of Wealth Management Executive Moves – September 2021 – Wealth Briefing

Wealth Briefing has highlighted our new partner appointments in a further round up of September’s People Moves. To read the full article, please click here.

News

Meeting the 2021 eprivate client 50 Most Influential – Camilla Wallace of Wedlake Bell

Head of our Private Client Group Camilla Wallace has been ranked by eprivateclient as one of their “50 most influential”. Read their interview with Millie here.

Legal Podcast

Episode 17: The Importance of Making a Will

In this podcast, Caroline Miller discusses the importance of making a will and keeping it up to date.

Legal Podcast

Episode 15: Health and Welfare LPAs

Ann Stanyer’s recent podcast about Health & Welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) highlights the importance of making these documents, and keeping them under review, especially during these challenging times.

Wedlake Bell advises clients across domestic and international contentious trusts and probate disputes. Partners are well placed to provide specialist litigation advice on issues pertaining to asset recovery and breach of duty claims. "They are a top-notch firm, they have such a good client base.

— Chambers, High Net Worth 2022

The team clearly understands very complex tax legislation and its application to cases," says a source, who also states: "I'm very impressed with the depth of knowledge and the ability to explain complex tax issues in a straight-forward manner.

— Chambers, High Net Worth 2022

Wedlake Bell offers a range of services to high net worth clients. The firm is highlighted for its expertise in tax, but also advises on other matters such as estate and succession planning. "It is one of the most well-resourced private client teams I have worked with.

— Chambers, High Net Worth 2022

Their verbal and written communications are always clear and concise. They will always respond in full to any questions raised and provide thorough advice as to the appropriate way forward," observes a source, who also says: "They are dedicated to their clients and delivering the best possible service. They have excellent communication skills and have a commercial awareness which is key.

— Chambers, High Net Worth 2022

Wedlake Bell LLP acts for an array of major clients who range from prominent UK families to internationally mobile wealthy individuals. The team predominantly acts for serial entrepreneurs, landed estates as well as public personalities. The practice has a strong focus on cross-border succession planning and has also experienced considerable growth in advising on the establishment of new charitable structures. Camilla Wallace, Jenny Cutts and Matthew Braithwaite are among the key members of the team. Andrew O’Keeffe is another recommended individual along with Antoaneta Proctor.

— Legal 500, 2022

The private client team is first and foremost strongly client focused. The approach is always very pragmatic so as to address the client’s issues and set out an action plan which is clear and comprehensible. Overall the practice feels very approachable, and clients would enjoy that they can voice their concerns with approachable partners. Every interaction is very clear, be it in terms of next steps, billing etc.

— Legal 500, 2022

Technically strong with a good understanding of family dynamics and commercial issues. The team at Wedlake Bell works together to deliver to clients. Matthew Braithwaite, Camilla Wallace and Jenny Cutts – each with their own style; all three are technically excellent and provide solution driven advice.

— Legal 500, 2022

'The team is going from strength to strength. It is establishing itself as a growing force in this area. Andrew O'Keeffe brings a huge amount of experience to the team and Caroline Miller is steadily building a reputation as a significant player in this field'.

— Legal 500, 2020

The team has grown and developed its reputation under the leadership of Andrew O'Keeffe. He has a great ability to spot the right strategy for the right type of dispute'.

— Legal 500, 2020

'The private client team is extremely competent across a range of legal disciplines, but for me it is their empathy and emotional intelligence that stands out. They are quite unlike many firms. they take care to understand what the client wants and make them comfortable with their enggement with the law. Their advice is practical and comprehensible and properly targeted to the client's needs.'

— Chambers HNW 2019

They've got a good team of people'. 'They are a pleasure to work with.' The team is 'always helpful and responsive and takes a very practical approach to problem solving.'

— Chambers HNW 2019