Situated in the firm’s wider private client practice, the personal tax and trusts team at Burness Paull LLP handles multi-jurisdictional tax and business-related matters for Scottish and international clients. Practice head Colin McKenzie acts for family investment companies and limited liability partnerships, while ‘exemplar’ Fiona Clarke counts high-net-worth individuals among her key roster of clients. Claire Macpherson advises on tax mandates and Amanda Armstrong assists with contentious liability claims. Euan Fleming left in November 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Colin McKenzie applies a cool and controlled view on things and is patient whilst the client considers all options open to him.’

  • ‘Amanda Armstrong provides a flexible and highly professional service, backed by many years of experience.’

  • 'Colin McKenzie and Fiona Clarke in particular stand out as an excellent team.'

  • ‘The team are extremely well-rounded and have expertise across the board. They are very good at putting the right person in front of you to answer specific questions.’

  • 'Claire Macpherson has a strong focus on client detail, with market-leading expertise and promptly replies to queries.'

  • ‘The standout feature and quality of the Burness Paull LLP personal tax, trusts and executrices practice is the quality of their people. They are all a delight to deal with and very knowledgeable.’

  • ‘Fiona Clarke continues to stand out as an exemplar in the personal tax and trusts team. Of all the clients I have referred to her, including family members, not one has had anything but a positive experience.’

  • 'Both Colin McKenzie and Fiona Clarke are excellent at what they do and the client service that they provide.'

Key clients

  • CALA Homes
  • Champion Technologies
  • Esson Properties
  • Gleaner Oils
  • Halliburton
  • Malcolm Allan Housebuilders
  • Metrol Technology
  • Nor-Sea Foods
  • Worley Services UK

Work highlights

  • Providing succession planning advice to a blended business family with assets in Brazil and Scotland.
  • Advising a client (a former business owner) on the creation of a ‘master’ U.A.E. will and dove tailing wills in England and Scotland.
  • Providing Scots trust law advice (including an analysis of the settlor’s domicile) to a mutual client of a leading U.S. law firm (the client having created multiple overseas trusts).

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Colin McKenzie

Other key lawyers

Fiona Clarke, Claire Macpherson, Amanda Armstrong