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Probate in the UK: a paper-heavy industry
21 October 2021
The estates administration process in the UK is ‘slow and inefficient’ and is causing stress, frustration, and even mental health issues for those involved, according to research from Exizent.
Law firms' cost focus will drive financial innovation in the sector
12 October 2021
The latest research by PwC has confirmed the top three business priorities for legal firms, to improve the use of technology, standardise and centralise processes and improve the service offering, haven’t changed over the last year. But what the pandemic has brought into sharp focus for legal firms across the UK is a desire to reduce costs. In 2019, cost reductions were last on a long list of priorities for firms. Fast-forward to 2020 and it overtook critical challenges including the use of data analytics in decision-making and reducing cyber threats, to become the sector’s fourth priority.
Establishing US trusts while maintaining non‑US advisors
13 September 2021
In the US, clients are facing uncertainty surrounding legislative changes in Washington that will impact their personal financial picture. This uncertainty comes at a time when nearly 69 million Baby Boomers are approaching retirement age and their focus turns to estate plans and intergenerational wealth transfers.
The pandemic has put outsourcing in the spotlight
13 September 2021
Outsourcing is an often‑cited word in the context of managing private client wealth. The role that third‑party advisors and administrative partners can play has grown and, given the complexity of the sector, will be central to how firms and their partners navigate a rapidly changing global marketplace and sophisticated investment landscape.
Country house renaissance
13 September 2021
The English country house is back, and all the contents and collections that go with it. In truth, they never really went away: country house style, and the houses themselves, have always had cachet and allure, and have usually held their own in the marketplace. But now, they are frankly fashionable, and are seeing a renaissance in their fortunes.
TEAM up for relocations
3 September 2021
The events of the past two years put many wealthy individuals’ travel plans on hold. Yet despite, or in some cases because of, the COVID‑19 crisis, relocation is a topic that private clients continue to discuss with their advisors.
What role could a wealth tax play in the nation’s finances?
3 August 2021
For several years, economists and academics have been considering the introduction of a wealth tax, which would redraw the landscape for the taxation of individuals: indeed, we contributed to a paper produced by the London School of Economics last year. The most recent contribution to the debate has come from the Wealth Tax Commission, an independent project launched in July 2020 to consider whether a wealth tax should be introduced to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NFTs: Authenticity, accessibility and equitability in the art world
8 June 2021
In March 2021, tongues in the international art world were set wagging when Christie’s auction house sold Beeple’s digital collage Everydays: the first 5,000 days, compiled by the artist from 5,000 images curated over a 13-year span, for a huge USD69 million as non-fungible token (NFT). What is truly astounding about this sale is not the price fetched for the work of art, but the highly publicised convergence of digital art and crypto tokens backed by one of the world’s oldest and most reputable auction houses, therefore lending credibility to the transaction.
Sustainability at the portfolio level
4 June 2021
We believe that sustainability represents the biggest investment opportunity of our lifetime. Our fiduciary duty as investment managers is to preserve and grow our clients’ assets, taking this fundamental shift into account, and building on our bespoke approach to managing their wealth.
What investors can learn from Bill Gates’ climate warning
23 March 2021
When one of the world’s wealthiest individuals writes a book on avoiding climate disaster – and suggests changes we all need to make to our lifestyles – it is easy to be cynical.
An evolving online trading landscape
22 March 2021
The first known mention of share trading dates back to 390BC, when citizens of the Roman Republic (which preceded the Roman Empire) received partes (shares) in contracting organisations as a reward for contributing to community efforts. According to texts attributed to the famous orator Cicero, these shares were tradable for money and their value would fluctuate depending on the success of the underlying firms.
Substance requirements in The Bahamas: changing with the times
19 February 2021
Globalisation has changed the face of business and, in particular, the way in which businesses operate. It is becoming more common for a business to be established in one jurisdiction, but the value of the goods or services sold by that business to be created in another jurisdiction. Additionally, we have entered an era in which it has become possible to conduct business from ‘the cloud,’ thereby obviating the need for physical store fronts, offices and staff, which further complicates the determination of where the real economic activity of a business is taking place.
The US election: what does it mean for markets?
8 October 2020
As the US election nears, polls continue to point to a likely victory for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. However, polls have not always been a reliable guide to the outcome of big votes, as learnt in 2016 with the twin shocks of Brexit and Trump’s win.
International banking: practical tips on setting up an account in another jurisdiction
2 October 2020
As a CEO of an international private bank, I find that clients and practitioners will spend a great deal of time and effort in selecting the right offshore jurisdiction for them. They must take into account the jurisdiction’s legal framework and regulations and assess whether it meets their individual requirements in areas such as asset protection, privacy, and strength of regulator.
How do I gather financial information as an executor, attorney or deputy without being able to conduct my usual investigations?
1 June 2020
The Law Society Gazette, published by the Law Society of England and Wales, recently reported applications for grants of probate had fallen by 50 per cent since the beginning of UK lockdown. Initially this seems counter-intuitive, given that the BBC reported a spike in mortality at the beginning of April 2020. A casual review of social media channels would indicate that many private client practitioners are busier than ever.
An exemption clause protecting trustees can leave the trust vulnerable to claims
25 November 2019
The Trustee Act 2000 imposed a statutory duty on trustees with any unintentional breach of trust, leaving trustees vulnerable to personal and potentially unlimited liability: an uncomfortable reality for anyone taking on this unpaid voluntary role. Castleacre Director Hugo Johnsen examines the impact of exemption clauses on trustees, beneficiaries and trusts.
Is there a future for trusts after CRS?
21 October 2019
With wealth across Asia predicted to rise at a compound annual growth rate of 9.4 per cent to reach USD58.2 trillion by 2023, according to Boston Consulting Group, trusts are naturally growing in popularity. But the introduction of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) has cast some doubt over the future of these structures in the region. Wendy Yeo TEP, Trust Director at Equiom Singapore, examines the future of trusts after CRS.
Challenges for lay trustees
16 October 2019
Anyone setting up a private trust is primarily seeking to protect assets for the beneficiaries. It is naturally within everyone’s interests to appoint responsible and trusted individuals to manage the trust.
New UK property tax changes introduced from 6 April 2019
6 August 2019
An update on the taxation of UK property including changes brought about at the start of the new tax year. Below is a summary of the main changes which non-UK residents holding UK property need to be aware of. Direct disposals Prior to 6 April 2019, a non-resident individual, company or trust would only be subject to a UK Capital Gains Tax (CGT) charge in limited circumstances, most specifically where UK residential property disposals took place.
A Bahamas LatAm approach driven by innovation
17 July 2019
Only five years ago, the Bahamas launched an innovative piece of legislation, the Investment Condominium Act 2014 , enhancing the jurisdiction’s fund product offerings. This legislation, the first of its kind in any international financial center (IFC), targeted Brazilian multi-market funds. The Bahamas Investment Condominium (ICON) was created to appeal to the Brazilian investment fund market. Effectively it is a civil-law product, introduced in a common-law context, and so its structure is familiar to the Latin American market.
Business from the beach: five golden rules
5 June 2019
You’ve heard of the work-from-home revolution, but how about working from the beach? Global tech entrepreneur Stan Stalnaker is a forward thinker when it comes to flexible working. Here, he shares his tips for how you can swap a dingy office for golden sands…
Seven habits of the new HNWIs
14 May 2019
Young high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) are not like their parents. They care about social impact, transparency, security and privacy. To service these digital natives, wealth management advisors need to adapt. Here are seven reasons why… 1. They want their wealth to have a positive social impact.
Four alternative assets young HNWIs are investing in
13 May 2019
Art, bitcoin, action figures – young HNWIs are pushing the boundaries on investment, and wealth management advisors need to keep up We are seeing the emergence of a new generation of internationally mobile high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs); and their behaviours and investment attitudes differ profoundly from those of previous generations.
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