Hall Of Fame

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex

Mullis & Peake LLP‘s wills & probate team is led by Manzurul Islam and shows proficiency in work related to estates with worldwide assets and Court of Protection orders.    

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex in South East

Birketts LLP

The comprehensive offering at Birketts LLP  exhibits broad expertise in succession planning, often acting for farmers and landed estate owners, family investment companies, and business owners. Susan Young leads the team in Chelmsford, and handles a varied workload of trusts and will preparation, and estate administration work. Norwich-based Jack Royall co-leads the overall private client group alongside Louise Long in Ipswich. Katie Gibson-Green is recommended for her knowledge of powers of attorney, and the creation and administration of trusts. Amanda Smallcombe, who joined in May 2024 from Birkett Long LLP, is well-known for her expertise in Court of Protection matters.

Praxisleiter:

Susan Young; Jack Royall; Louise Long


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Katie Gibson-Green; Nicola Nottidge; Natasha Senior


Referenzen

‘The Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate team at Briketts have great coverage across the county and have exceptional knowledge in terms of their subject matter. They have size and this allows them to deliver exceptional client outcomes.’

‘Susan Young is particularly focused on delivering the right outcomes for clients and this has been demonstrated by her willingness to keep open lines of communication between us in terms of updates and developments.’

‘They are excellent.’

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Tees Law

Praised for providing an 'excellent personal service', Tees Law is equipped to advise clients on a broad array of private wealth work, with the team’s workload including tax planning, trust management, and Court of Protection proceedings. The team, known for its niche experience in French inheritance law, handles an increasing number matters concerning agricultural estates, areas in which practice head and expert for succession planning Ian Johnston is an expert. Sarah White routinely assists with estate administration and will preparation, as well as deputy issues. Georgina Leighton is particularly knowledgeable of lasting powers of attorney.

Praxisleiter:

Ian Johnston


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Georgina Leighton; Sarah White; Luck Luck Ooi


Referenzen

‘The practice offers an excellent personal service, and they respond quickly to any requests or questions. They have been so helpful in explaining the legal side of probate.’

‘I can honestly say that I have complete confidence when referring clients or friends. I know they’ll be dealt with in a professional and friendly manner whether it be the solicitor or support staff. ’

‘Ian Johnston is always on hand to answer questions and to support me in my line of work. Nothing is ever too much trouble.’

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised a client on an estate which consists of ownership of farmland, both in the clients’ own name, but also in trusts.
  • Acting for a client with land holdings that were complicated by the client’s ownership of a family farming partnership where he retired but continued to be involved.
  • Advised a client who had sold a multi-million-pound company on the creation of trusts to provide protection for future generations.
     

Birkett Long LLP

Birkett Long LLP handles the full range of will-related tax work, and offers niche expertise in retrospective NHS claims. The team routinely collaborates with the firm's agriculture group to assist farming clients. Emma Clarke leads the South Essex team in Basildon and Chelmsford and focuses on will drafting, inheritance tax mitigation mandates, and estate administration. Noted for his knowledge of estates with foreign elements,  Ben Parmenter heads the team in Colchester, while Claire Read in Chelmsford chairs the firm’s overall private client group, and is highlighted by clients for providing a ‘first-class personal service’, often advising clients who own property abroad. Amanda Smallcombe left the firm in May 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Emma Clarke; Ben Parmenter; Claire Read


Referenzen

‘The different departments within the firm have been well-connected as a team to provide solutions and any advice we have needed. This combination combined with empathy from staff members is very helpful at a time which can prove to be very stressful. They as a company keep up to date with technology and change in trends, this makes them stand out from many other firms.’

‘Claire Read has shined through, always proving to be very professional, but still providing a great level of personal connection. It’s these qualities which can make an individual feel free from stressful situations.’

‘The service provided by Claire Read’s team is friendly and helpful.’

Giles Wilson Law Limited

Praised by clients for its ‘in-depth’ expertise, Giles Wilson Law Limited is noted for its vast experience in acting for vulnerable clients in matters concerning issues surrounding mental capacity.  The group frequently advises parents of disabled children on discretionary trusts. The practice is jointly headed by Pippa Bavington, who is an expert in wealth planning, and Melinda Giles, who is known for her proficiency in financial abuse and property-related matters, as well as end-of-life planning.

Praxisleiter:

Melinda Giles; Pippa Bavington


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kirsty Buxton


Referenzen

‘Personal, caring and tailored service.’

‘Caring, listen well, kind, collaborative.’

‘We found it an up-to-date practice with an approachable and efficient team. Everyone was sensitive to their clients’ situation and flexible with their working practices.’

Palmers

Noted for their 'strong technical' knowledge, Palmers handles the full spectrum of matters relating to care fee funding, co-ownership trusts, and succession planning. The team is jointly led by Helen Jago, who routinely assists with the preparation of complex wills, court of protection work, and estate administration; Lee McClellan, and Donna Smy, who is a key contact for matters related to lasting powers of attorney and inheritance tax. Former practice head Tim Steele left the firm in January 2024, and Ivana Sidey joined the team from Birketts LLP in August 2023, bringing her extensive experience in acting for elderly clients.

Praxisleiter:

Lee McClellan; Donna Smy; Helen Jago


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Siobain Moore; Ivana Sidey


Referenzen

‘I have supreme confidence in using Palmers Solicitors and recommended them for my clients.’

‘Helen Jago was very knowledgeable and fastidious, providing a sense of being well represented and having my interests protected.’

‘Anyone seeking wills or trusts advice should speak to Siobain Moore who is extremely capable and personable with clients.’

Thompson Smith and Puxon

Noted for its strong focus on the agricultural sector, Thompson Smith and Puxon exhibits broad knowledge of estate administration, mandates involving the preservation of assets in the event of care being required, and the preparation of wills. In January 2024, Robert Ashworth took over the leadership of the department from Fiona Ashworth. Both are key contacts for agriculture sector clients, advising on the full range of matters involving wills and powers of attorney. Nicola Healy is recommended for her focus on trust creation and inheritance, capital gains, and income tax matters. Natasha Swift left the firm in June 2023.

Praxisleiter:

Fiona Ashworth; Robert Ashworth


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Nicola Healy


Referenzen

‘One of the most experienced and well run teams I have come across. The individuals all compliment one another in terms of skill sets. There is a strong specialism in working with the agricultural community led by both Fiona Ashworth and Robert Ashworth.’ 

‘One of the many good things about this firm is how easy they are to work with. The whole transaction was very smooth and simplified for the benefit of the client.’

‘The lead partner was Fiona Ashworth. She walked us through the initial meeting, and although she made it clear that she was available at any time the process was then managed by Nicola Healey.

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised on an estate, fraught with liabilities and irregularities, which needed to be ironed out during the course of the administration process.
  • Advised on an estate worth c. £15m, which is going to charity for the benefit of education, agriculture and the environment.

Aquabridge

Aquabridge houses a ‘very approachable & knowledgeable’ team demonstrates vast strength in acting for clients with a variety of business assets. Practice head Lorna Bastian is well-regarded for her work as a professional trustee, while Emily Payne combines her experience in litigation and commercial property with her expertise in wills and probate matters. Adam Kaye joined the team from Hodge Jones & Allen in November 2023, with his varied caseload including inheritance tax work and issues concerning powers of attorney.

Praxisleiter:

Lorna Bastian


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Emily Payne; Adam Kaye


Referenzen

‘Very approachable & knowledgeable.’

‘When we were unsure about some of the narrative, we were taken through, line by line & explained to in an understamdan;e language which made us feel completed supported.’

‘They are extremely efficient, professional and very friendly which has made the task of being an executor easier. They are easily contactable and any queries that I have are answered very quickly.’

Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors

Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors handles the full gamut of matters relating to the preparation of wills, estate administration, and tax advice, areas in which practice head Lesley-Ann Mayhew is an expert. The team is particularly well-regarded for its capabilities in assisting elderly and vulnerable clients, and its specialism in mental capacity matters and mandates involving local authority funding for care fees. Andrew Flannagan heads the wider private client group.

Praxisleiter:

Lesley-Ann Mayhew


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Andrew Flannagan


Referenzen

‘They are very knowledgeable, experienced, and frequently look at modern and up-to-date ways to get problem solved. One of the best wills and probate team I’ve ever worked with. They quite clearly really care about the client, and they are always priority throughout.’

‘Lesley Ann is outstanding in what she does, and how she manages her team. It’s clear they have the highest of standards and that she is always keen for them to develop and to stay in pace with the industry and legislation.’

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP

Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP’s wills, life planning and probate practice is jointly led by Tony Fisher,  Gregory John, Gina Fairweather, and James Bird following the retirement of Andrea Godfrey and Susanne Grimwade, and the departure of Sarah Rankin in March 2024. Fairweather and Bird are well versed in powers of attorney and estate administration matters, while John routinely handles mandates involving assets abroad and estate administration for non-domiciled residents. Bird and John were both promoted to partner in March 2024, and Thara Thangavel joined from Kerseys Solicitors LLP in December 2023, contributing her expertise in inheritance tax and trusts.

Praxisleiter:

Anthony Fisher; Gregory John; Gina Fairweather; James Bird


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Karen Goulding; Thara Thangavel


Pinney Talfourd LLP

Pinney Talfourd LLP is noted for its vast knowledge of executor and trustee appointments, and is led by Matthew Edwards, who routinely acts for numerous clients as a Court of Protection appointed deputy. Key contact for tax-related issues Kristian Croad was promoted to partner in May 2024, leading the embedded trust department, while Andrew Grant's broad practice spans intestacy related issues, and will preparation.

Praxisleiter:

Matthew Edwards


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Andrew Grant; Kristian Croad


Referenzen

They have a very nice atmosphere in there office, it’s a very nice firm to do business with.’

‘They were a pleasure to deal with for both my probate and power of attorney issues. I met with them a few times and they were great to work with, and honest about the level of effort required and the expected timeline. All paperwork was efficiently delivered.’

‘My experience was that the team worked well across a number of matters I and my family were dealing with at the same time ensuring that the co-dependency of the issues was dealt with in a timely and co-operative way.

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised on an estate with interests in assets worth in excess of £2.2 million.
  • Located successor practice firm following a professional executor appointment in a will made in 1978 and arranged executor renunciation of successor practice regarding an estate that includes a property portfolio valued at £5m comprising 35 buy to let properties.
  • Advised on an application to the Court of Protection for a Statutory Will that balances the competing interests of long-term financial security of a surviving spouse and the longer-term inheritance of four children in the most tax efficient way possible.

Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP

Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP handles a broad workload which includes advice on new or existing wills, tax planning, estate administration, and Court of Protection proceedings, all areas in which practice head Lee Hibell is a specialist. Caroline Cole often advises on asset protection, while Jonathan Saunders is adept at handling succession planning matters.

Praxisleiter:

Lee Hibell


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Caroline Cole; Jonathan Saunders


Referenzen

‘The practice is very community minded, whenever you visit one of their offices the team always seem to be happy, polite and have a friendly empathetic attitude.’

‘Caroline Cole has assisted us with great empathy and have been very professional and efficient since day one. They have always kept us in touch with everything they are doing and answer any of our emailed questions within 24 hours. We would highly recommend them, in our opinion they go above and beyond in every way.’