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IHT - no news is surely good news?
James Ward
Legal 500 UK 2021
James heads the Private Client team at Kingsley Napley and is tasked with overseeing the continued development of the private client offering for both existing and new clients of the firm.
His objective is for the Private Client team to offer the highest quality legal, practical and commercial private client advice for both domestic and international families and individuals.
He has extensive experience advising families and individuals on wealth protection and tax mitigation. This covers the drafting of Wills to best suit a client’s financial and family requirements, advice on gifting to support the next generation and to mitigate tax, the setting up of trusts to protect assets and provide long term financial benefit and the efficient and speedy administration of estates.
Often his clients will have international connections; whether they own overseas property or have recently arrived or invested in the UK, or are long term residents who are still non-UK domiciled. He specialises in giving advice on UK tax for these international clients or working closely with accountants on key areas such as UK inheritance tax and UK capital gains tax.
A key focus is the advising of overseas clients purchasing UK property and how such property should be owned in the most tax efficient way.
James has a broad client base covering people just across the road or located on the other side of the world. He is just as comfortable dealing with the private affairs of a CEO of a multinational business or person in the public eye as he is dealing with a vulnerable elderly client with tricky family dynamics.
In general, clients praise his straightforward explanations and clear communication alongside a friendly manner.
James is interviewed and quoted frequently in the national press. Some of the more recent articles that James has written, or in which he has been quoted, include:
"James is very knowledgeable and very experienced, and he's good at using his experience to identify the main issues a client needs to consider," an interviewee he's also very commercial in his approach, as he considers the client's broader requirements to ensure that his advice is appropriate, rather than focusing on answering the specific question posed to him."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021
James Ward is noted for his professionalism, knowledge and friendly manner."
Legal 500 2017
James is very knowledgeable and very experienced, and he's good at using his experience to identify the main issues a client needs to consider,"
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021
James Ward brings a certain dynamism, mixing quality advice with a commercial sense”
Legal 500 UK 2021
James Ward has the rare ability to deal with sensitive individual issues in a professional and empathetic way. His outstanding and clear communication skills make easy work of complex issues”
Legal 500 UK 2021
James Ward is a highly committed, knowledgeable and experienced private client solicitor. Always providing considered guidance on trust, personal tax and probate matters, James ensures his clients are front and centre and receive the best possible service at the highest levels”
Legal 500 UK 2021
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