Private client counsel, given in confidence.

Property and ownership

We advise on the purchase, sale and ownership of residential and investment property, on co-ownership arrangements between relatives or partners, and on leases and tenancy matters. Where several people share an asset, we help them record their intentions clearly so that later disagreements are less likely and easier to resolve.

Before you commit to a purchase, we review the title and the terms on offer, explain any restrictions or obligations that come with the property, and identify points worth negotiating. For property held as an investment, we advise on leases and on the arrangements between owners for sharing income, costs and decisions.

Succession and the next generation

Planning for the transfer of wealth and assets is an act of care for those who follow. We help clients think through their wishes, the needs of their families and the practical steps required to give effect to their intentions, including where a family business or jointly held property is involved.

Personal agreements

Loans between family members, arrangements between business partners in their personal capacity and agreements concerning shared assets are often made informally and regretted later. We put such arrangements on a clear footing, protecting relationships as well as interests.

Family businesses

Where a family owns a business, personal and commercial questions are closely intertwined. Who will lead the business in the next generation, how ownership should pass between family members, and how to treat relatives who work in the business fairly alongside those who do not are questions with legal answers but deeply personal consequences. We help families put arrangements in place that reflect their values, provide clarity about control and protect the business from the strains that uncertainty can cause.

Personal and family disputes

Disagreements about property, inheritance or money between people who know each other well are among the most difficult to resolve. We approach them calmly, favour negotiated solutions where they are achievable and act firmly where they are not. Throughout, we respect the privacy that such matters demand.

Discretion as a standard

Private client work rests on trust. Information you share with us is handled in strict confidence, and our communication is arranged around your preferences, whether that means a detailed written opinion or a short conversation at a time that suits you.

We are also conscious that personal matters often unfold at difficult moments in life. We aim to make the legal side of things as straightforward as possible: explaining each step before it happens, keeping paperwork to what is necessary and giving you room to make decisions at your own pace wherever the law allows.

Questions clients ask