James d’Aquino
Partner
Services
Private client and tax
James is a partner in the private client team in London and heads the international tax and succession team, as well as running the firm’s cross-disciplinary tax disputes team.
He specialises in providing tax, trust and succession planning advice to ultra-high net worth individuals, families, family offices and trustees in the UK and abroad. James’ advice includes complex tax planning, estate planning, negotiations with HMRC and some contentious trust and estate matters. He acts for a broad range of clients but is particularly sought after for matters involving complicated planning structures, family arrangements, relationships or those with an international dimension. James also advises clients in Europe, Eastern Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Far East, Australia, and North America.
I work with families and individuals to understand their circumstances and priorities, to provide bespoke and tax efficient restructuring and succession solutions. I take great pride in longstanding and close client relationships, and being able to draw in appropriate expertise from colleagues across the firm to provide clients with practical, rounded and full advice.
James has been named 2024’s ‘Outstanding Individual of the Year’ by Citywealth and is named in the Spear’s 500 ‘Recommended Tax Lawyers 2024’. In 2021, he was named in the Legal Week Global Elite Directory 2021 and, in 2018, he once again featured in the ePrivateClient ‘Top 35 Under 35’ list for young private client practitioners, having also been featured in 2015 and 2016. He has also had several articles published in well-regarded journals including Trusts and Estates Law Journal, Private Client Practitioner, the India Business Law Journal and Lexology.
Recent work highlights
HMRC tax disclosure
Division and restructuring of trusts
Multi-jurisdictional trust structure
UK residence advice
Autumn Budget 2024
UK and cross-border succession planning
External recognition
What our clients are saying
James was born into the private wealth industry almost, he really understands international clients and their mindset. He is also very generous with his time.
James has great depth of knowledge, great expertise and is a strong advocate for his clients.
James d’Aquino gives real world advice and is particularly skilled at handling international issues.
A charming and technically excellent private client partner who is rightly recognised as a market leader.
James d’Aquino is undoubtedly one of the best private client lawyers of his generation… James has become the private client adviser of choice for many of England’s international families.
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