Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a dedicated private wealth practice, which comprises senior disputes, advisory, and transactional lawyers. The team is well placed to handle a range of contentious, structuring, tax, and advisory matters. It regularly assists institutional clients, including banks and trust companies, as well as trustees, their insurers, beneficiaries, family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. In addition, led by Richard Norridge, it frequently works on complex actions pursuing or defending trustees. These claims are often in relation to breach of trust and third-party claims by or against trustees. The group has also acted in the arbitration of a number of trust disputes. Nick Clayton advises on various private wealth tax disputes, while William Turner, who is a solicitor advocate, is also recommended.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is always responsive and collaborative. They are very experienced lawyers and easily understand client needs. Richard Norridge provides reassuring guidance. He is adept at simplifying complex legal matters.'
‘They are practical and to the point with solid background knowledge.’
‘Richard Norridge is really a distinguished leader in the area who brings unparalleled niches to his client. His professional knowledge is always up-to-date, and his experience in managing the case and litigation strategy is impressive.’
‘Very capable and knowledgeable.'
'The HSF team have an innate ability to understand and dissect a problematic contentious situation and quickly distil it into a key risks statement with concise and practical steps to move forward.’
‘Richard Norridge is a standout professional in this area of practice. His mental capacity and agility are incomparable and his ability to assimilate complex situations quickly and deliver well-considered, practical advice is nothing short of impressive.'
'Together with his colleague John Mathew, Richard Norridge's ability to horizon scan complex problems and pre-empt potential pitfalls and problems in litigation is a skill to admire and hugely beneficial to his clients.’
- 'Herbert Smith Freehills has one of the leading contentious trust and probate teams in London, regularly advising on some of the most significant cross-border disputes with a particular strength in advising on matters involving Asia and the Middle East. They are very responsive and collaborative.'
Key clients
- Dr Lo Ka Shui
- Bernie Ecclestone
Work highlights
- Represented members of the Lo Family, one of Asia's richest families by net worth, in two sets of Hong Kong High Court proceedings and in an ongoing beneficiary dispute relating to a family trust, which holds over $1bn of assets, being a 33% shareholding in the Hong Kong-listed Great Eagle Holdings.
- Acted for Bernie Ecclestone in civil and criminal proceedings brought by HMRC and CPS in respect of investigations into Mr Ecclestone's UK tax affairs.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Norridge