Characterised as ‘always thinking outside of the box and leaving no stone unturned', the seasoned private client team at Aaron & Partners LLP in Chester advises high-net-worth clients on high-value tax and estate planning, and has particular expertise in handling cases involving business and farming assets. Leading the group, the ’friendly, pragmatic and knowledgeable' Clive Pointon is an expert in Court of Protection work and has extensive experience assisting clients with solutions to inheritance tax problems. The group also includes James Wallace, who advises clients on a broad range of issues surrounding wills, tax, and estate planning, and Rowena Ridgway, who focuses on estate planning and estate administration. The ‘technically brilliant' Paul Caslin, who has expertise in estate planning advice, is also a key contact.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Incredible client service, prompt responses and the best technical knowledge I have encountered across the many practices we have had contact with.’

  • ‘Paul Caslin has a great rapport with clients and can put them at ease discussing difficult situations. He is technically brilliant and builds a relationship of trust.’

  • 'Rowena Ridgway is a trusted adviser who is able to deal with all aspects of post-death estate administration and is willing to handle out of the ordinary matters, such as more complex cross-border estates.'
  • ‘The team's knowledge and experience means their service is outstanding.’

  • ‘Their depth of knowledge for dealing with very challenging cases is impressive. Always thinking outside of the box and leaving no stone unturned. They instil confidence of a realistic, positive and fair outcome. They never over promise or under deliver. First-class individuals.’

  • ‘Over the years we have had very good advice by all the staff. Clive Pointon, especially, has continually demonstrated patience, understanding and humour in dealing with our legal issues. His professional approach and knowledge when presenting his advice in a clear concise manner have always been appreciated by us and have been excellent for our situation and needs.’

  • ‘Clive Pointon was very friendly, pragmatic and knowledgeable.'

  • ‘We have had good service from James Wallace. Nothing is too much trouble for him.'

Work highlights

  • Assisting a high-net-worth family who are non-UK domiciled with devising an asset protection and tax-efficient estate planning strategy with cross-border assets and disabled beneficiaries to consider.
  • Advised high-net-worth individual and business owner on inheritance tax and his estate, including the gifting of company shares, Capital Gains Tax, and the setting up of a Family Investment Company.
  • Assisted a client with a complex estate administration of an estate worth approximately £2m with foreign elements, charitable beneficiaries, a deed of variation, and a related will trust to administer.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Clive Pointon

Other key lawyers

James Wallace, Rowena Ridgway, Paul Caslin