Private client team news and updates—January 2025

Following the Government’s Autumn budget, Jeremy Clarkson attended a protest outside of Parliament challenging the planned changes to Agricultural Property Relief from Inheritance Tax (IHT). When questioned by Victoria Derbyshire, Clarkson advised “people like me will simply put it in a trust, and so long as I live seven years that’s fine”. However, things are not always this straightforward, and in the thorny area of tax, trusts and estate planning, often a little of bit a knowledge can be a very dangerous thing. 

In this newsletter, our team explores how you could benefit from receiving professional advice in organising lifetime structures, what you need to know when gifting assets to the next generation, and dispels common myths about trusts. 

We are pleased to welcome to following new additions to our team:

• Amantha Seneviratne joined in November as a senior associate, based in the Putney office 
• Jessica Zama joined in October as a senior associate (dual qualified in Italian law), based in the Putney office 

We are delighted to announce the following well-deserved promotions within our team. 

Alexandra Mackenzie Smith has been promoted to Legal director. Having joined Russell-Cooke in 2014, she advises individuals and families on wills and estate planning, the administration of estates (probate), creating and administering trusts and creating and administering powers of attorney. 

Deanna Stephenson has been promoted to associate. She has extensive expertise in a range of private client matters, including estate administration, wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and applications to the Court of Protection