John has over 40 years’ experience and is a tax and estate planning specialist, with particular expertise in Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
John’s work includes complex will drafting, advising on the creation, administration and winding-up of all types of trust, and the associated taxation implications and estate administration. He is particularly experienced in working with landed estates and the agricultural community.
John is also a trustee of several sizeable private grant-making charities. He has been a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners since 1993.
Expertise
John advises private clients on tax and estate planning matters. He specialises in Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax alongside succession planning matters including wills and trusts.
Experience
Acted for numerous high-net-worth clients including four who have featured in the Sunday Times Rich List.
As a previous Chair of the Law Society Private Client Section, represented over 3,500 lawyers specialising in private client work across England and Wales in dealings with HMRC, the Law Society, the press, various major national charities, and numerous other interested organisations.
Successful claim of an active service exemption for a deceased client in respect of wounds received 62 years prior to death, thereby obtaining a refund of £585,000 of Inheritance Tax and interest to the deceased’s estate.
Advised the trustees of various trusts holding multi-million-pounds worth of assets on a successful application under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958.
Acted as a trustee of numerous private and charitable trusts on behalf of clients.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Law Society Probate Advisory Committee 1996–1997
Law Society Probate Sector Executive National Committee 1997–2008, Chairman 1999–2001
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners 1993–to date
“Excellent trusts adviser.”
The Legal 500 2013
“Administratively excellent and the clients really like him.”
Chambers UK 2012
“Incisive.”
The Legal 500 2011
“Exceptional breadth of knowledge.”
The Legal 500 2009
John qualified as a solicitor in 1986. Prior to moving his practice to Keystone Law in 2013, he worked at the following firms:
