England - London • Private client
Payne Hicks Beach LLP
Rosamond McDowell heads the department at Payne Hicks Beach LLP, which advises high-net-worth clients from the UK and internationally (many of whom feature in the Sunday Times Rich List, Forbes 400 and the Arabian Business Rich List). It also continues to receive instructions from Scandinavia and the Middle East. Other core areas of strength include advising UK resident non-domiciled clients on issues relating to pre-arrival planning and structuring. Robert Brodrick’s practice is divided into three main geographic areas of clients: Middle East, US/UK and UK domestic. Other highly regarded members of the department include Frederick Bjørn, Basil Dixon, Martin Paisner and Clare Hetherington. Recent highlights included Emma Harris’ promotion to the partnership and Sara Morgan’s addition to the team from Fieldfisher in November 2022.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team are extremely professional and courteous and are always on hand to offer guidance, especially on matters of a potentially complicated nature. They provide updates on workstreams and the expected timeframe for them, so you never feel like any matter is forgotten'.
‘The team I work with at PHB have been professional and personable at all times. They are always contactable and available for calls/meetings, even those that are often called at short notice'.
‘As good as it gets. PHB have a vast wealth of top-notch lawyers, who know all there is to know, and can do all there is to do. Their clients - rightly - love them. Undoubtedly at the top of the tree, but don't waste time that could be spent on clients blowing their own trumpet'.
‘Basil Dixon has an extremely loyal following especially among clients, trustees and solicitors in the offshore world. Partner James Bacon has an uncanny ability to solve the most exacting tax or trust problems, and is much sought-after by families wishing to makes their estates or trusts future-proof'.
‘A blue chip Private Client firm that is a one-stop shop for wealthy families seeking a discreet first class service. While maintaining their client base of Landed Estates. They are equally excellent attending to the needs of non-UK families'.
‘Sara Morgan is an excellent addition to the PHB Private Client team. She is technically extremely good and combines this with first class client handling skills'.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Frederick acts for UK and international high net worth individuals, advising on tax issues for non-domiciliaries and cross border migration; the establishment and restructuring of onshore and offshore trusts and Wills and estate planning (including strategic succession planning for family businesses). A core focus of Frederick’s practice is advising on family governance for multi generational, entrepreneurial businesses, both in terms of transfers of wealth and control and asset protection. He has extensive experience in this area and was awarded distinctions in both the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Family Business and the STEP Advanced Certificate in Family Business Governance. Frederick was elected to the STEP Business Families Global SIG Steering Committee in 2023. Frederick’s offshore work focuses on clients with Scandinavian and US links, and is well connected within those communities. Frederick is a regular speaker at industry conferences and has contributed to various publications.
Robert advises on tax, trust and estate planning for wealthy individuals, their advisers and trustees. He acts for a wide range of clients including non-domiciliaries, international families with assets in multiple jurisdictions as well as UK based families and the owners of landed estates and business people. Robert’s practice is divided into three main geographic areas of clients: Middle East; US/UK and UK domestic (which also includes UK resident non-doms). He is a Trustee of a number of UK trusts including several that hold heritage assets, and he also acts as Executor. He is known for his sensitive handling of difficult family situations. Robert advises on contentious trust and probate work, and has recently been involved in applications to vary and rectify trusts both in the UK and offshore. Robert has developed a reputation for advising a number of high profile US families based in the UK (alongside their existing US advisers) and he is also experienced at advising Middle Eastern families on the creation and reorganization of trusts, including Sharia compliant structures. He is also known for his sensitive handling of complicated family situations.
Basil's practice is broad-based and encompasses the whole spectrum of private client onshore and offshore work. He frequently advises on ultra-high net worth matters with his clients ranging from landed estates with the deepest of roots in the UK to those with no connection with the UK at all. Basil advises on issues concerning onshore and offshore tax planning, the establishment and use of trusts and other structures, US/UK planning, family governance, philanthropy and conflict of laws. Basil works closely with trustees, lawyers and other advisers in a number of jurisdictions including France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Channel Islands, the Caribbean, Singapore, India, the Middle East, the US and Canada.
Rosamond is a partner and heads up Payne Hicks Beach's substantial and energetic Private Client team that continues to go from strength to strength. Her specialist area is estate planning advice, including Wills, Probate and the administration of Estates, Trusts and other financial structures, and associated tax issues. Speaking various languages, and with experience of living abroad, Rosamond is able to assist clients with international backgrounds and assets in navigating conflicting laws of various jurisdictions. With an increasing public awareness of mental illness and capacity issues, and with her vocation and training as an Anglican priest, Rosamond assists in guiding vulnerable clients whose interests may need to be protected, and in dealing with powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters. Rosamond also advises executors, trustees and beneficiaries where difficulties and disputes arise, and has experience of acting as an independent trustee and administrator.
Throughout his career Martin has specialised in private client and charity, and his client base is both domestic and overseas. He has become well-known in the charity sector, serving as a trustee on a considerable number of both grant making and functional charities. He was appointed CBE in June 2004 in recognition of his charitable services.