1. What is your role at Brodies and how do you support private wealth clients?
I am a partner on the 'Personal' side of the Personal and Family practice area. I am dual-qualified in Scots law and the law of England and Wales, so I am responsible for supervising teams who advise high net worth individuals and families, executors and trustees in relation to wills, powers of attorney, trusts and estates, and estate planning in respect of both Scots law and the law of England & Wales. We are also regularly instructed in relation to matters which have a cross border or international element and matters where there is an interaction between Scots law and the law of E&W. We support private wealth clients by advising them on the transmission of their wealth through the generations in ways which optimise asset protection and tax efficiency. We play a proactive role and keep a close eye on changes in law and taxation which might affect our clients.
2. If you could change one aspect of the law, what would you change?
I would simplify and modernise legal language to make it more understandable and accessible to non-solicitors. Clients should be able to clearly understand what they are reading, even if they are relying fully on their solicitor for the accuracy and appropriateness of the content.
3. What key advice would you give to professionals to advising on private wealth and estate planning?
Obtain all of the relevant background information and listen closely to the client's objectives then take a moment to consider the best plan and any peripheral issues which the client may not have thought about. Our role is to advise in a holistic manner considering all of the legal and tax considerations which are relevant to our clients' objectives; our role is not to take client instructions and implement them into legal documents verbatim. Invest time in getting to know your clients; often, second and subsequent meetings are vital to truly understand family dynamics, business interests and any other peripheral issues.
4. What are current trends or challenges in private wealth law that are keeping you busy at the moment?
Personally, as a dual-qualified solicitor, I see more and more intra-UK, cross border enquiries. That is, where clients have some connection with both Scotland and England or Wales, which can be their residence, domicile, where their assets are situated or where family live. The laws in the jurisdictions are very different and can produce some unexpected and undesirable outcomes. We are able to take a whole-of-UK view for such clients and provide a holistic plan which is compliant in both jurisdictions. More generally, we are seeing an increase in the number of clients who have an international / non-UK dimension to their planning. This is a complex area and is changing quite significantly post April 2025. Of course, the other changes brought about by last Autumn's Budget (changes to agricultural and business relief and pensions, for instance) are also keeping us busy.
5. How do you spend your time outside the office?
I have three young children, so my time is not my own! Time outside the office is usually spent with them or taking them to their various activities or classes. On the rare occasion I do get time on my own, I enjoy running and reading.
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