Trust Solicitors for Trustees & Institutions

Trusts can play a valuable role in wealth and succession planning; but along with opportunity, they can also bring complexity. That’s why it’s so important to have the right expertise in your corner. This is especially true in litigious times, when trusts and trustees are increasingly scrutinised and questioned, both by beneficiaries and third parties.

At Clarke Willmott, we have the skills and the experience to help individuals and companies navigate a complicated and ever-evolving landscape of tax legislation and reporting obligations, however diverse and complex the assets involved.

Who we help – we advise individual and institutional trustees, professional advisers, beneficiaries and families.
How we help – advice on trust creation, management, disputes, tax planning and administration.
Why choose us – for our independence and highly personalised service.
Recognition for our solicitors
Our expertise – in trusts advice across jurisdictions
Frequently asked questions – on trusts and trustee duties
Latest news and insights – updates and articles from our Private Client team.

Who our trust solicitors can help

Our trust solicitors have a wealth of experience advising different clients on trusts and UK tax, including:

Individual and institutional trustees, both in the UK and offshore.
Accountants, trust companies and other law firms
Recipients of inherited wealth or personal injury compensation
Foreign nationals and others with international business, charity or property interests.
Beneficiaries

How we can help

Our trust solicitors boast a wealth of specialist knowledge and includes members of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and several chartered tax advisers.

We can advise on all aspects of trusts including:

Using trusts, protectorships and other fiduciary arrangements for wealth planning, succession, taxation and asset protection purposes
Transferring trust portfolios between trustee companies
Trust disputes
Advising trustees of private charitable trusts on their duties and regulation
Writing bespoke and standard form trust documentation and advising trustees on bank loan documentation
Appointing and removing trustees and protectors
Administering trust assets, making income and capital distributions
Maintenance of accounting records and monitoring of investment performance

Why choose our specialist trust solicitors

Highly experienced in establishing and managing trusts
Fully independent so we are free to work with the right firm for your specific concern, every time.
One of the UK’s largest private client teams advising individuals and their families for more than a hundred years.
Discreet and highly personalised service, working closely with you to deliver advice that meets your individual needs, while giving you flexibility and control.
Committed to acting as your long-term adviser, combining first class technical legal advice with a wider perspective.
We can act as professional trustee through Clarke Willmott Trust Corporation Limited.

Recognition for our solicitors

“The team at Clarke Willmott covers every aspect of the private client spectrum. They provide an exceptional level of service based on their technical expertise, positive approach and a willingness to go the extra mile for their clients.” Legal 500 2026

“Clarke Willmott have a depth of knowledge that provides a degree of confidence both in the process and in delivering the outcome in a timely manner.” Chambers High Net Worth 2025

“Clarke Willmott’s team has always been responsive, thorough, and thoughtful in their approach. They’ve earned my trust and confidence over the years and come highly recommended.” Legal 500 2026

“We found the whole experience with the firm to be professional, precise, diligent and efficient.” Chambers High Net Worth 2025

Our expertise in cross-border legal advice

Should you require cross-border advice, we have well-established relationships with trusted connections in other jurisdictions who are ready to share their expertise. We invest considerable time and resources in developing and maintaining these relationships, so that we can offer you a seamless and reliable service. However, should you have a preferred law firm in another jurisdiction, we’ll be happy to collaborate with them.

Trusts – frequently asked questions

What is the role of a trustee?

A trustee manages the trust assets responsibly, acts in the beneficiaries’ best interests, and ensures the trust operates according to its terms and legal obligations.

Trustees have a legal duty to provide clear and accurate accounts to beneficiaries, showing how trust assets have been managed and distributed. Failure to comply with this duty can lead to disputes and legal challenges.

Clarke Willmott assists trustees in fulfilling their accounting obligations correctly and transparently, helping to minimise conflict and ensure compliance with trust law and regulatory standards.

Can trusts help reduce inheritance tax?

Yes, certain trusts can be structured to minimise inheritance tax, but this requires careful planning and expert legal advice.

The duration of a trust varies depending on the type and jurisdiction but can often last for many years or until specified conditions are met.

Can I change or revoke a trust?

This depends on the trust terms and type. Most trusts are irrevocable, but they can be amended.

Contact a specialist trusts solicitor

For specialist advice on trusts and alternative forms of asset protection, call our specialist solicitors on 0800 652 8025 or use the form below to get in touch.

We have teams based across the UK in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

Your key contacts

Carol Hawking (previously Cummins)

Consultant

Bristol

Carol enjoys long term relationships with her clients and likes to get to know the families well so that she can help them at each key step in life with a focus on protecting the family wealth from erosion by tax and outside claims so it remains in the family for future generations.

View profile for Carol Hawking (previously Cummins) >

Paul Davies

Partner

Manchester

Paul is a Partner and head of the private capital team in Clarke Willmott’s Manchester office. Paul specialises in estate planning, Wills, & trusts for clients with complex family and finance arrangements.

View profile for Paul Davies >

Emma Barry

Senior Associate – Tax & Trusts

Taunton

Advising Trustees, Individuals and Executors on various taxation issues, to include inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax and stamp duty land tax, looking both at the UK based implications but can address aspects with offshore elements when these arise.

View profile for Emma Barry >

Latest news and articles

Private wealth

Tips for tricky estates

Our “Tips for Tricky Estates” aim to support both contentious and non-contentious practitioners by providing short, practical monthly tips that touch on common challenges that arise either in estate administration, or estate disputes.

Press release

Clarke Willmott advises Acquisan on acquisition of Liberty guard

Lawyers at national law firm Clarke Willmott have advised Acquisan, a provider of welfare units and site accommodation, on its acquisition of Liberty Guard.

Private wealth

Lasting powers of attorney: top ten tips

Our specialist solicitors share tips to help you ensure that your lasting power of attorney is effective and reflects your wishes. Call 0800 652 8025 for a free consultation. Offices in in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton & Taunton.

Industry news

Private capital tax implications following the Budget

Jacqui Lazare and Tom Chiffers, partners in national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP’s private capital team, look at the key highlights from the Autumn Budget and the tax implications for private individuals.

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