International legal services

Specialist legal advice for UK residents, expats and foreign nationals

At Clarke Willmott, we’ve been advising clients with international roots and overseas interests for many years. What’s more, we do so at a refreshingly competitive price considering our credentials in this complex area – especially when compared to City law firms.

UK residents, expats and foreign nationals value our thorough understanding of English law and UK taxation, including how they may be affected by the laws and regulations of other jurisdictions around the world.

When required, we can also tap into ‘local’ expertise via our trusted global network of lawyers and professional advisers based in other jurisdictions. We can also work with your preferred international advisers to ensure you receive the highest quality service throughout.

How our private wealth solicitors can help

Our solicitors offer forward-thinking advice and plans for UK individuals and families with personal ties and assets across borders. We also advise overseas residents who are moving to, living in or leaving the UK, or investing in property or businesses here.

Our extensive range of services includes:

UK tax planning

If you living in, moving to or leaving the UK, or investing in property or business here, we can provide you with clear and strategic advice on UK tax structuring and reporting.

In addition, our extensive technical and multidisciplinary expertise means we can also assist you in structuring your worldwide assets in a tax efficient manner, be they personal, business and/or philanthropic in nature and liaise with your local advisers or with our connections overseas.

Offshore trusts

At Clarke Willmott, we provide individuals, banks, and trust companies with expert advice on offshore trust structures, helping them to navigate an increasingly complex environment.

We have extensive expertise in UK taxation, compliance, and administration of non-resident trusts, including those holding UK property assets or have UK resident beneficiaries, which have become increasing complex in recent years.

Residential property

We have considerable expertise in advising British expats, foreign nationals and non-resident trusts on buying and selling residential property in the UK. We can also advise on the most tax-efficient ownership structures for your property purchases.

International family businesses

We can advise family business owners with overseas commercial interests on designing appropriate trust structures to hold their businesses, especially in jurisdictions where the local succession laws may otherwise reduce share ownership following the death of a major shareholder.

International Wills and Probate

Whether you are a UK client with international assets or an overseas client with UK assets, we can advise you on how best to structure and prepare your Will to be both tax-efficient and valid in all relevant jurisdictions. We can also prepare your lasting powers of attorney.

Our team also has considerable expertise in obtaining probate across borders, dealing with assets within the UK and other jurisdictions in a way that avoids potential conflict. This includes obtaining probate in the UK for foreign nationals who die with assets in the UK.

International family law

Our family law solicitors are specialists in international and European family law. They work closely with clients and with local specialists across the world to advise on all aspects of international family law. This includes divorce, co-parenting, and financial matters when one or both parties is a non-UK resident. We can also provide specialist advice on international surrogacy, assisted reproduction and fertility law, and adopting overseas.

International Court of Protection

We understand that successfully managing the affairs of a person who lacks the mental capacity to do so can be challenging. That’s why we have a specialist team of Court of Protection solicitors dedicated to helping you, wherever in the world the affected person may be.

We can also assist in getting overseas financial institutions to recognise a UK lasting power of attorney or deputy order. Or if the person lives overseas but has assets in the UK, we can help you secure the necessary authority to deal with UK financial and legal institutions on their behalf.

What our clients say about us

"This is a fabulous team – it really cares about its clients and goes to exceptional lengths to support them and to fight their corners." Legal 500 2020

"Anne Minihane always takes any concerns seriously and yet has a reassuringly light approach which makes a client feel at ease and able to confide in her." Legal 500 2020

"Anthony Fairweather is an utter professional" Legal 500 2021

"Anne Minihane has considerable practical experience" Legal 500 2021

“Thank you, you have made my life so much easier." From a client’s relative to Michelle Manley (paralegal)

"I appreciate that you guiding me in this would seem unusual but I truly appreciate the help that you have provided – especially as I see you sent your e-mail very late! You are obviously a very dedicated worker and a credit to your firm". - From a professional referrer to Michelle Manley (paralegal).

“The lawyers are kind which is an important trait, especially when dealing with vulnerable people” Legal 500 2021

"Finally, and very importantly, I would just like to say how very, very much I appreciate the work you've done for me… Contacting your firm and making the connection with you was a real turning point for me. You have done a brilliant job from start to finish and I really can't overstate what a positive difference your involvement has made to me, from being in totally unfamiliar territory to now feeling that my father's position is under control and manageable".  Email from client’s relative to Court of Protection team

"Thank you again for all your kindness and understanding over the years". From a client’s relative to Frances Bamber (paralegal).

"A small, passionate and friendly team with incredible experience" Legal 500 2021

“Oh I am so so grateful. Thank you ever so much Vicky” From a client’s relative to Victoria Day (Court of Protection executive)

"You have no idea how refreshing it is for us to have this kind of competent and professional support" Relative of client

"Thank you for your and Michelle’s work on this particularly considering the lack of any financial renumeration at all! Heartening to see that professional ethics are still alive and well… I will have a word…and may see if I can get it mentioned in our local authority internal newsletter as an example of good practice." MCA/DoLS Manager

"The team was highly professional yet very human. I was treated with compassion and sensitivity at every stage. The team delivered on all promises made too." Legal 500 2020

"They have been brilliant, really responsive and helpful." Chambers UK 2018

"Frances was not only very professional as a representative of the firm but she was also really sensitive when dealing with my client and her family which is often a hard balance to strike" From a client’s social worker to Frances Bamber (paralegal)

"It is always a pleasure to work with this firm” Legal 500 2021

But don’t just take our word for it, if you would like to speak to one of our clients to hear their experience directly, please contact Anthony Fairweather.

Planning a move to the UK

If you are planning a move to the UK, our expert team of lawyers can help to ease the way by providing a truly joined-up service.

We can help you plan and protect every aspect of your own and your family’s affairs, both on your way to the UK and while living here, including advice on property, starting work or a new business venture and succession, tax, and estate planning.

We work closely with other UK-based and international advisers, each highly experienced in the specific needs of international families, high net worth individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors, to provide you with tailored and appropriate advice, however complex your situation may be.

Why choose Clarke Willmott for international matters?

• Long-established reputation – Our Private Client team is one of the UK’s largest and most experienced, with a history of advising individuals and families that dates back over a hundred years.
• A true partner to you – We are committed to acting as your family adviser, providing both technical legal advice and wise counsel.
• Complete end to end service – We work closely with every client to deliver highly-tailored advice and forward-thinking solutions and plans that we can also implement.
• Exceptional value – our fees are both transparent and highly competitive, giving you large law firm calibre advice at regional rates.
• Well connected – We are well connected internationally, with a network of trusted partners sharing local legal knowledge from around the world.

Contact an international private client solicitor

For advice on any matter with international considerations, contact our specialist team of solicitors on 0800 652 8025 or contact us online. Our lawyers are based across the country in Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Southampton, Taunton, London and Birmingham.