Working With Us
Pre-engagement screening
All enquiries are subject to a pre-engagement screening procedure. This includes:
- Conflicts of interest checks (including trustee/beneficiary/settlor and multi-party matters), and
- Review of any contractual or professional obligations that may restrict our ability to act on a particular matter.
We will confirm whether we are able to accept instructions before any engagement is formed. If we are unable to act, we will let you know as promptly as possible.
How to instruct us and typical process
We can only begin work once we have confirmed that we are able to act and have issued written terms of engagement.
If you would like to explore an engagement, please contact us with a brief outline of the issue and any relevant deadlines.
Typical process
- Initial enquiry
You get in touch with a brief outline of the matter and what you would like us to help you with.
- Pre-engagement screening
We carry out a pre-engagement screening to confirm whether we are able to act for you.
- Understand your background
You provide a high-level summary of the matter and what decision or action is being considered. This may be done by way of an e-mail, a telephone call or a Teams meeting.
- Scope and fee proposal
We confirm with you the scope of services to be provided, the likely timescales, information required and the fee basis.
- Engagement letter
We issue written terms and confirm instructions.
- Delivery
We provide advice and/or filings to the agreed timetable, based on the information supplied.
Fees and billing
Fees depend on complexity, urgency, and the volume/quality of available records. Where possible, we agree fees in advance using one of the following approaches:
- Fixed fee for a defined piece of work (e.g., a return, a calculation schedule, or a specific advice note)
- Phased fees for projects (e.g., fact-find and issues list; then options paper; then implementation support)
- Time-cost basis where scope cannot be reliably determined at the outset (we will explain why and provide an estimate)
We will confirm the fee basis and payment terms before commencing substantive work
Typical timelines and deadlines
Timescales depend on the nature of the matter and how quickly information can be provided.
If your issue is time-sensitive, for example, a filing deadline, completion date, or a proposed trust distribution before a certain date, please highlight this in your initial enquiry.
Early contact is always advisable to allow sufficient time for the entire process: fact-finding, review of technical points involved, consider potential options available, typing up notes with supporting workings, proofread and delivery of the work.
Information we usually require at the outset (individuals)
Depending on the matter under review, we may ask for the following information.
- Your current UK residence status and UK tax residence history (if you were non-UK resident in earlier years). In some cases, we may need your tax residence history for up to 20 tax years immediately before the tax year under review, although this may be more relevant to those who have become UK tax resident recently or are planning to become UK tax resident.
- A summary of your worldwide income, capital gains or intended disposals, and any international elements.
- Details of any trusts, overseas assets, or complex reporting issues.
- Prior year tax returns (for the most recent 3 tax years) and any correspondence with HMRC.
- Any other information that may be relevant so that our advice can be tailored to your circumstances and take into account the bigger picture.
Information we usually require at the outset (trust-related matters)
- The trust deed, Letter of Wishes, deeds of appointment, deed of variation, deed of exclusion and any other important trust instruments.
- Details of settlor/beneficiaries and their UK residence status.
- Structure diagram showing all entities in the structure, most typically underlying companies.
- Details about each entity in the trust structure, including type of assets, current market value, acquisition costs.
- Accounts and investment broker’s annual tax report for the most recent 3 years.
- Distribution history and intended next steps, for example, distributions, restructuring, winding up.
- If it is an offshore trust, a complete history of accumulated income and realised capital gains/losses, as well as any unmatched capital distributions and/or trust benefits received by the settlor and beneficiaries.
- Any relevant historic schedules, calculations (e.g. IHT principal and exit charges) and tax returns already prepared/submitted.