Private wealth

Penningtons Manches Cooper is widely acknowledged to be one of the UK’s leading private wealth firms. With a reputation built on many years of private wealth expertise, we deliver a bespoke service to both UK based and international clients through our integrated team of private client, family, residential property, dispute resolution and immigration specialists.

Expertise in complex wealth matters

High net worth individuals and families have, for generations, turned to Penningtons Manches Cooper for high quality, and frequently pioneering advice on tax, family law and succession issues to enable them to safeguard and grow their wealth. Increasingly clients require a broader perspective as the lines between commercial and privately owned assets blur. By accessing expertise from across the firm, we can offer private individuals, family offices and their advisers, entrepreneurs, business owners, banks and fiduciary providers a comprehensive private wealth service which manages both short term challenges and long term strategies.

Our lawyers understand that steps which may be appropriate for financial planning purposes might conflict with the requirements of a residency visa, while worldwide assets could unexpectedly be put at risk in the event of a relationship breakdown or divorce. Each problem requires a tailored solution, and we aim to give clients clarity by providing detailed advice which ensures that the right balance is struck between often competing issues.

International mobility and multi-jurisdictional interests are realities of modern life for many of our clients. We have a strong international capability, assisting UK resident and non-resident, non-domiciled individuals, international families, family offices and business owners in numerous countries across the globe. In addition to the traditional European market, we have significant involvement with clients from the United States, India, across South East Asia (particularly Hong Kong and Singapore) as well as South America and Africa.

They are enormously strong in all areas … They enjoy being part of the development of families.

The firm’s membership of Multilaw and the European Law Group, as well as our close involvement in the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and recognised expertise in the world of international family law, enhance our international reach.

Several members of our private wealth team are ranked highly by Chambers UK, Chambers High Net Worth, the Legal 500 and Super Lawyers and have received accolades from Spears, Eprivateclient, Citywealth and Wealthbriefing – a clear testament to our prominent and well established position within the marketplace.

How we help our clients

Wealth structuring and succession planning

International family law including jurisdiction disputes and international child relocation

Trust, private client and family governance considerations

Wills and probate, both UK and international

Family law issues including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, divorce and child proceedings and financial arrangements on divorce

Immigration and residency including investor and entrepreneur visas

The purchase and tax implications of UK residential and commercial property

Contentious probate and trust disputes

Arbitration, litigation and cross border disputes

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Useful resources

Context magazine: explore the changing world of wealth in our latest edition

Recent work highlights

Family constitution for international client

Facilitating an overhaul of corporate and trust governance for an UHNW international family after putting in place a family constitution. This reflected the family’s agreed multi-generational ethos and informed all aspects of business and family wealth stewardship and succession planning.

Philanthropic estate planning advice

Working with the executors of an UHNW philanthropist on donating antiquities to a national museum. Our guidance covered privacy, tax efficiency, IP ownership, and valuation, and we are also providing ongoing compliance and tax advice along with HMRC.

US-UK property business structuring

Advising, in partnership with US counsel, on the tax and succession planning, as well as optimal structuring, for a significant transatlantic family property business, which required the handling of complex personal, trust and corporate tax issues on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pre-immigration planning

Preparing for the launch of a UK subsidiary of a family-owned international group and family office when key family members opted to move to the UK. Our corporate, private client, family, immigration and property teams all played a part in this venture.

Multi-generational international family

Acting for the UK residents of a high profile international family. Our advice primarily focused on the succession of family assets held personally and through trust arrangements in relation to UK estate planning, property and business matters.

International family office tax strategy

Advising an international family office on UK and cross-border tax matters, including compliance for younger family members. Our role also encompassed guidance on enterprise investment relief, classic car holdings and US-based investments.