England - North • Private client

Muckle LLP

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Muckle LLP’s personal tax, trusts and probate team deal with the higher-level succession planning needs associated with complex family arrangements in particular high net worth clients. Newcastle-based Julie Garbutt heads up the team, with particular expertise in all estate planning aspects. The team was joined by the experienced Tim Boardman and Rachel Stephenson who handles cases of vulnerable beneficiaries and second marriages, both joining from Burnetts, in June and September 2022, respectively. Former practice head Keith Hateley retired in December 2022.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Rachael's team is proactive in client care, and always go the extra mile to deliver on exceptional client service. The team is well run and second to none when it comes to dealing with technically complex issues. It has a range of private client specialists who work effortlessly and seamlessly together, complement each other effectively. As a client you are assured and comprehensively advised; as an intermediary you know you can trust that your clients will be understood, looked after and, very importantly, charged fairly.’

  • ‘Rachael herself stands out to be an absolutely pragmatic and strategic lawyer. She possesses unrivalled talent in handling the most complex situations with utmost ease, humanity and skill. She is very approachable and provides excellent, timely service- very client focused and exceptional on detail. By illustration perhaps, I have noticed how Rachael treats each client as if she’s known them their whole lifetime – they trust her to the hilt, no stone goes unturned and the result is robust, pragmatic advice, leading to comprehensive but workable solutions. She instils confidence and reassurance in her clients without leading them to the obvious.’

  • ‘The individuals get to know their clients fully and ensure that they are looking at their circumstances holistically as opposed to just considering any one particular area. They are friendly and approachable and clients are always comfortable dealing with them. Both Rachael Stephenson and Tim Boardman have been introduced to some of my clients and both have provided excellent service which has also been commented on by my clients.’

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Julie Garbutt

Other key lawyers

Tim Boardman, Rachael Stephenson