Our Services
Wealth structuring
We provide sophisticated international estate planning for high net worth individuals and their families from the UK and abroad; indeed some of our clients have little or no connection with the UK. We advise on setting up asset-holding structures such as trusts, foundations, insurance wrappers, funds and companies in local and offshore jurisdictions, and the establishment of family offices. Our strong connections with offshore institutions and advisers enable us to project-manage the creation of structures to ensure maximum efficiency and minimum expenditure of time and money for our clients.
Tax efficiency
We advise on all aspects of UK taxation for individuals and their asset-holding structures. We specialise in providing complex UK tax advice to individuals whose affairs have a non-UK element, including non-UK residents and non-UK domiciled individuals. We have a wide range of contacts in offshore locations and extensive experience in co-ordinating overseas advice for the creation of tax-efficient structures for our clients.
Trust advice and structuring
We advise on the creation and administration of trusts in the UK and offshore. In this area, our clients include individuals wishing to set up trusts, beneficiaries and trustees. Our services include advising on the choice of trustees/protectors, the tax position of trusts and the exercise of trust powers and indemnities. We also advise on setting up private trust companies in offshore jurisdictions.
Immigration
We advise on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality for high net worth individuals. We have particular expertise in assisting individuals who wish to obtain "investor" visas, family members of migrants and British citizens, entrepreneurs, business visitors, domestic workers and those who wish to exercise their EU freedom of movement. As the government revises visa rules, we provide current and practical advice for clients affected by the changes. As part of our seamless service, we can also advise on tax, property acquisition and other aspects of relocating to the UK.
Asset protection
We advise wealthy individuals and their families how to structure their global wealth in order to protect it from antagonistic third parties, personal or family issues and preserve confidentiality for present and future generations. The team advises on the use of a variety of entities including offshore trusts, companies, insurance wrappers, foundations and private trust companies throughout the world.
Succession planning
We advise on setting up asset-holding structures to protect wealth and pass it down to future generations, including putting in place suitable governance arrangements to help minimise family disputes. We also deal with cross-border succession issues arising out of the application of common law, civil forced heirship rules and Sharia law.
Wills and estate planning
We have many years' experience in advising on tax-efficient UK Wills and on inheritance tax planning. Where individuals have offshore assets, we co-ordinate with their overseas lawyers to ensure that their UK Will complements any existing offshore Will or structuring arrangements they may have. We also advise on matters such as lump sum benefits payable under pension policies and setting up trusts of insurance policies.
Charity/philanthropy
Our philanthropy practice advises on the creation and structuring of private charities for wealthy individuals and families. We also advise philanthropic individuals on making charitable gifts and on charitable legacies. Recent work includes advising on the creation of a charity for private gardens at a famous stately home.
Probate/estate administration
Our estate administration services include administration of estates and trusts, advising on valuation issues, claiming business/agricultural/heritage property relief from inheritance tax, preparing inheritance tax returns, obtaining grants of probate or letters of administration and advising on post-death variations. We also deal with cross-border succession issues, including obtaining grants for UK assets held by persons resident and domiciled abroad, re-sealing Commonwealth grants, re-sealing English grants overseas and obtaining foreign equivalents of English grants.
Relocation to the UK
We have extensive experience in advising on all aspects of relocating to the UK, including UK immigration, tax, purchase of property and maintaining privacy of assets. We can project-manage the move to the UK, for example by liaising where necessary with private banks to set up UK accounts and property search agents to find the right property.
Landed estates
We have extensive experience in advising landowners on tax and other issues, including the use of farming partnerships, companies and trusts and the availability of agricultural and business property relief. We also advise on succession planning for future generations, including minimising exposure to capital taxation and family disputes.
Heritage property
Our clients include individuals with historic houses open to the public and landed estates comprising valuable art collections. We advise on all aspects of UK heritage property taxation and planning. This includes advising on offers in lieu of tax, negotiating with HMRC and public authorities over public access to assets and advising on ownership and succession.
Mental incapacity
We advise on the creation of financial and personal welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney, including living wills, and court deputy applications.
Monaco
Tim Thornton Jones has built a significant practice advising the ex-pat British community resident in Monaco, especially in respect of their remaining assets or business concerns in the UK. He also advises on relocation to, and residence in, Monaco.
Residential Conveyancing
We advise on all areas of residential conveyancing, including sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold properties, selling or purchasing with the benefit of lease extension claims, enfranchisement and sales and purchases involving complex offshore structures and mortgages.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
We combine our established private client and tax experience with litigation expertise to advise and represent clients on a diverse range of complex private client disputes with onshore and offshore elements; these include trust actions, estate disputes and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, professional negligence actions relating to all aspects of individuals’ financial advice, structuring and planning and Court of Protection matters
Our approach is pragmatic and focuses on the client’s goals. We recognise how time consuming and expensive litigation can be and we focus on cost control at all times. We advise on alternative forms of dispute resolution which avoid the need for Court proceedings and how these best suit a client’s specific circumstances. Alternatively, should court proceedings be unavoidable, we can advise, support and handle the case through the interim stages to trial and enforcement.
