Private Wealth Law
High Net Worth Guide 2024 : Guildford and surrounds
Band 1
About
Provided by Stevens & Bolton LLP
Our private client team advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious private client matters including: wills and lasting powers of attorney; succession planning; UK and international trusts; planning for non-UK domiciliaries; obtaining probate, estate administration and post-death variations; taxation; charities; heritage property; landed estates; disputes in relation to wills and trusts, or their management, and tax litigation.
Much of our work has an international dimension and involves succession and trust based issues, as well as tax concerns.
On contentious matters, we are particularly experienced in advising on trustees’ applications to court for relief and regarding claims under the Inheritance Act 1975.
Additionally, the team has substantial experience of dealing with trust and property disputes in a matrimonial context, advising on attacking and defending trusts and trustees that are caught up in matrimonial proceedings, and on trust-related proceedings arising from property disputes.
We advise a broad client base, including individuals, globally wealthy families, leading financial institutions, trustees, charities, family offices and individuals in the sport and music industries. We also have specific expertise in advising fund managers and entrepreneurs. Our strength lies in being able to give advice to clients which is tailored to both their personal and financial situation.
Chambers Review
Stevens & Bolton has a particularly strong private client team. The team is capable of handling high-value and cross-border contentious as well as non-contentious trusts and estates matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Stevens & Bolton has a real depth of knowledge on complex and technical issues. They provide a high level of service and a proactive approach."
"They have been excellent in communicating with us to further the client's goals. I appreciate their responsiveness and team approach to assure that there is always coverage on our matters."
"Stevens & Bolton is very commercial and can fit its advice into the wider transaction. The partners I have worked with seem to complement each other very well."
"I could not rate the team at Stevens & Bolton more highly."
"S&B punches way above its weight in its ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters. The team has fantastic depth and breadth, comfortably dealing with any aspect of private wealth disputes."
"Stevens & Bolton has a real depth of knowledge on complex and technical issues. They provide a high level of service and a proactive approach."
"They have been excellent in communicating with us to further the client's goals. I appreciate their responsiveness and team approach to assure that there is always coverage on our matters."
"Stevens & Bolton is very commercial and can fit its advice into the wider transaction. The partners I have worked with seem to complement each other very well."
"I could not rate the team at Stevens & Bolton more highly."
"S&B punches way above its weight in its ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters. The team has fantastic depth and breadth, comfortably dealing with any aspect of private wealth disputes."
Notable Practitioners
James Lister is esteemed as one of the leaders in the field of private wealth disputes.
"James is technically brilliant. He just takes a really fresh approach to his work. He is also very well regarded and attracts a lot of work."
"I'm a massive fan of James - he's just perfect. He simply gets everything right every time, he's very assured, sensible and has a very deep understanding of the law. He's one of the very best."
"James Lister has great judgement and great maturity. He's a seriously sensible pair of hands, however complicated the dispute is."
"He has created a practice in Guildford that competes with many in London. The quality of his work is very high. He is someone who instils confidence in those who instruct him."
"James is an expert in his field, pragmatic, and very popular with clients."
Daryl Fox is well regarded and advises on a range of private client matters, including estate administration.
"Daryl is an outstanding lawyer and a delightful person. She is very bright and capable and I would recommend her to anyone with a complex estate."
"Daryl Fox is really good. She is excellent and very good with clients, they like her very much."
James Hardaker is a partner at Stevens & Bolton, and regularly advises wealthy clients on cross-border tax and succession planning matters.
"James is always praised by clients for his patient explanations, understanding and listening to clients' needs, and for his careful and meticulous work."
"James is super-bright and great to work with."
"His advice is always clear and well reasoned while also looking past the problem at hand to what could cause issues further down the line, endeavouring to mitigate as well as solve. He's fantastic."
Rosie Todd is a partner at Stevens & Bolton and has particular expertise in personal tax planning around business exits, private equity deals and investment fund structures. Todd regularly advises wealthy clients on their closely held businesses and trust structures.
"Rosie is technically excellent, approachable and commercial. She is able to explain complicated technical matters very clearly."
"Rosie is a great lawyer offering top-notch service. Rosie anticipates issues before they arise, very often answering the questions that we should have asked."
"Rosie is wonderful, really bright and super to work with."
Jack Bailey is a partner at Stevens & Bolton and has a significant reputation for representing clients in complex, often multi-jurisdictional trust disputes.
"Jack is always approachable, knows his stuff, and is good with clients."
"Jack is a very impressive lawyer, he's very good with clients, an excellent part of their team."
"Jack fights for the client while reassuring the other side. For Jack, his emotional intelligence, coupled with the instinct of an effective litigator, makes him an ideal lawyer for private clients."
"Jack is a fantastic lawyer who is always three steps ahead in litigation."
"Jack Bailey is incredibly capable, experienced far beyond his years and is capable of picking up complex cases."
Matthew Peto is a partner at Stevens & Bolton. Peto advises wealthy clients on trusts and estates matters, and is particularly noted for his knowledge and technical capabilities.
"Matt is a pleasure to work with, very articulate and clear in his advice."
"Matt Peto simply continues to exceed my expectations on all levels of service delivery."
"Matthew is extremely good and extremely thorough and efficient. I'd be happy to work with him again."
Hayley Robinson is a senior associate at Stevens & Bolton and has a growing reputation among clients and peers for her contentious trusts and estates expertise.
"Hayley is very bright and enthusiastic. I rate her very highly."
"She is very thorough and very good with clients. She cuts through and gives very succinct advice."
"I cannot sing Hayley's praises enough. She has a fantastic knowledge of this area, she is tenacious in seeking the best possible outcome for her client. She really is a rising star for the future."
"Hayley is really good, she's smart and conscientious."
Ranked Individuals at
Stevens & Bolton LLP
Guildford and surrounds
The South
Members
Provided by Stevens & Bolton LLP
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