This guidance note explains the legal requirements for who can act as trustee, the number of trustees that can be appointed and how trustees are appointed. Trustees should be appointed by deed and writing deeds is a reserved legal service under the Legal Services Act 2007. See the Reserved legal services guidance note. Therefore, a lawyer will need to be instructed to appoint a trustee.

This note deals with appointment of trustees only. The removal and retirement of trustees is covered in the Changing trustees guidance note. For practical advice on choosing a trustee, see the Appointment of trustees ― practical considerations guidance note.

This guidance note deals with the position in England and Wales only. See Simon’s Taxes I5.8 for details of the provisions affecting Scotland and Northern Ireland.