Family businesses and ownership structures

Navigating the complexities of family businesses requires a nuanced understanding of both legal and familial dynamics. This guidance offers practical insights for structuring ownership to ensure stability and growth, while balancing the unique interests of family members. Equip yourself with strategies to address succession planning, governance, and dispute resolution, tailored specifically for the distinctive challenges of family-run enterprises.

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Latest Private Client News

UT follows Medpro when applying Martland three-stage test, but still refuses late appeal application (Tajinder Pawar v HMRC)

The following Tax news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on UT follows Medpro when applying Martland three-stage test, but still refuses late appeal application (Tajinder Pawar v HMRC)

Expat’s withdrawals from SIPP exempt from UK tax under UK-Portugal Double Tax Convention (Masters v HMRC)

The following Pensions news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on Expat’s withdrawals from SIPP exempt from UK tax under UK-Portugal Double Tax Convention (Masters v HMRC)

Private Client weekly highlights—18 September 2025

The following Private Client news provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on Private Client weekly highlights—18 September 2025

Question of the week: A claim (issued protectively) under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 is due to be settled at mediation. It has been over two years since the date of death, so the parties will not benefit from any retrospective tax treatment associated with a Deed of Variation. Would the parties need to execute both a Deed of Variation and a Settlement Agreement, or would a Settlement Agreement executed as a deed suffice?

Question of the week: A claim (issued protectively) under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 is due to be settled at mediation. It has been over two years since the date of death, so the parties will not benefit from any retrospective tax treatment associated with a Deed of Variation. Would the parties need to execute both a Deed of Variation and a Settlement Agreement, or would a Settlement Agreement executed as a deed suffice?

Featured Private Client content

Nature and classification of trusts—the three certainties

Nature and classification of trusts—the three certaintiesCertaintyIn order for a settlor to create a private express trust the three certainties must...

Protectors

ProtectorsWhat is a protector?A protector is a person who holds powers under a trust but who is not a trustee. A protector is a person who is...

Preparing the application form PA1P/PA1A for probate or letters of administration

Preparing the application form PA1P/PA1A for probate or letters of administrationFORTHCOMING CHANGE: The postal application forms PA1P and PA1A for...

Administration actions—personal representatives and the deceased's liabilities

Administration actions—personal representatives and the deceased's liabilitiesAn individual may assume obligations, for example in respect of...

Practice notes

Trustees—appointment of trustees

Trustees—appointment of trusteesOriginal trusteesTrustees will usually be appointed by the instrument that brings the trust into existence. The trust...

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2nd Jun

In-house

Practice notes

Death in service benefits

Death in service benefitsOverview of the types of death in service benefits and their tax treatmentThere are three types of death in service...

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Produced in partnership with Eleanor Walsh, Lily Hurley and Emily Cook of Sinclair Gibson LLP

30th May

Practice notes

Source of income (and private client)

Source of income (and private client)When advising an individual on cross-border or offshore tax planning, it is important to establish the 'source'...

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2nd Jun

Practice notes

Liferent trusts—Scotland

Liferent trusts—ScotlandLiferent trustsA liferent trust (or trust liferent) is a trust which, when settled, confers a use and income benefit, or both,...

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Produced in partnership with Pete Murrin of Turcan Connell

30th May

Scottish Law