Bird's eye view of small harbour next to beach

> Experience > Our practices > Private client > Private trust companies

Private trust company lawyers

Private trust companies are used as a means to facilitate the preservation of family wealth for multiple generations. Our private trust company lawyers frequently help families set them up in advantageous locations around the world, ensuring each company is correctly structured to be efficient and compliant.

More and more families are choosing to set up their own private trust companies to facilitate the preservation of family wealth for multiple generations.

For those who have resources, private trust companies provide several advantages. These include the opportunity to choose the fiduciaries involved in managing the assets with limited trustee liability. They also offer continuity in management and reduced fiduciary risk as well as personal service, which is becoming more important to families.

Our private trust company solicitors regularly construct private trust companies for families and other groups who share a common interest. Popular locations include the Isle of Man, Jersey, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and some US states including Wyoming, New Hampshire and Nevada. Our private trust company services also include advising on the tax implications of operating a private trust company so as to ensure that it is properly structured from inception. 

Abolishing the UK non-dom regime – what are your options in the UK and globally?


The decision from the current UK government to abolish the existing regime and promises made by the opposition to do the same has left many of you with questions and uncertainty. What does the future hold and what actions can you take now? 
Non-dom resources

Track record

Greece based family office

Worked for a Greece based family office of a family with USD 3 billion of shipping, mining, commodity trading and real-estate assets on the establishment of Cayman and Bermuda based private trust company structures for the segregated protection and ongoing management of their personal and business interests in such a way that they are protected from domestic risks.

Reorganization of trust structures

We advised a long term UK resident European family on the reorganization of their trust structures in light of potentially penal changes to their home tax code. Private trust companies and trusts were converted into limited liability partnerships with the general partner mimicking the control and governance mechanisms previously used in the private trust company.

Brazilian family offshore structuring

We worked alongside Brazilian counsel to advise a client on the FATCA and CRS reporting requirements applicable to their complex succession structure for his offshore assets. These included a private trust company, trusts, companies and other entities, a private investment fund and multiple investment accounts, and involved the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the US. The advice also needed to take into account the client's plans to relocate his family from Brazil to London, and possibly thereafter to New York City.

Billionaire Mexican family

Creating multiple trusts, and private trust company arrangements to govern them, for a billionaire Mexican family to ensure compliance, confidentiality and efficiency in the management of their non-Mexican assets.

Clients in Chile, Mexico and Venezuela

Advised clients with cross-border interests in relation to the construction of private trust company structures, which effectively allowed for family business succession planning, cost reduction and greater control over certain trust decisions and tax minimization in the jurisdiction of domicile and internationally.

Multi generational South East Asia family

We were instructed by this family, consisting of several members spanning two generations, in relation to setting up a private trust company structure (PTC). The PTC acts as a trustee of a master trust to hold the family office, family business and family investment entity. The beneficiaries of the master trust were a series of "feeder" trusts established for the benefit of each of the family members and their respective families together with a number of charitable entities. In addition, we advised the family on establishing a sophisticated governance structure, including a family council and family constitution.

Multi generational South East Asia family

We were instructed by this family, consisting of several members spanning two generations, in relation to setting up a private trust company structure (PTC). The PTC acts as a trustee of a master trust to hold the family office, family business and family investment entity. The beneficiaries of the master trust were a series of "feeder" trusts established for the benefit of each of the family members and their respective families together with a number of charitable entities. In addition, we advised the family on establishing a sophisticated governance structure, including a family council and family constitution.

Greece based family office

Worked for a Greece based family office of a family with USD 3 billion of shipping, mining, commodity trading and real-estate assets on the establishment of Cayman and Bermuda based private trust company structures for the segregated protection and ongoing management of their personal and business interests in such a way that they are protected from domestic risks.

Reorganization of trust structures

We advised a long term UK resident European family on the reorganization of their trust structures in light of potentially penal changes to their home tax code. Private trust companies and trusts were converted into limited liability partnerships with the general partner mimicking the control and governance mechanisms previously used in the private trust company.

Brazilian family offshore structuring

We worked alongside Brazilian counsel to advise a client on the FATCA and CRS reporting requirements applicable to their complex succession structure for his offshore assets. These included a private trust company, trusts, companies and other entities, a private investment fund and multiple investment accounts, and involved the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the US. The advice also needed to take into account the client's plans to relocate his family from Brazil to London, and possibly thereafter to New York City.

Greece based family office

Worked for a Greece based family office of a family with USD 3 billion of shipping, mining, commodity trading and real-estate assets on the establishment of Cayman and Bermuda based private trust company structures for the segregated protection and ongoing management of their personal and business interests in such a way that they are protected from domestic risks.

Brazilian family offshore structuring

We worked alongside Brazilian counsel to advise a client on the FATCA and CRS reporting requirements applicable to their complex succession structure for his offshore assets. These included a private trust company, trusts, companies and other entities, a private investment fund and multiple investment accounts, and involved the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the US. The advice also needed to take into account the client's plans to relocate his family from Brazil to London, and possibly thereafter to New York City.

Billionaire Mexican family

Creating multiple trusts, and private trust company arrangements to govern them, for a billionaire Mexican family to ensure compliance, confidentiality and efficiency in the management of their non-Mexican assets.

Clients in Chile, Mexico and Venezuela

Advised clients with cross-border interests in relation to the construction of private trust company structures, which effectively allowed for family business succession planning, cost reduction and greater control over certain trust decisions and tax minimization in the jurisdiction of domicile and internationally.

Brazilian family offshore structuring

We worked alongside Brazilian counsel to advise a client on the FATCA and CRS reporting requirements applicable to their complex succession structure for his offshore assets. These included a private trust company, trusts, companies and other entities, a private investment fund and multiple investment accounts, and involved the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland and the US. The advice also needed to take into account the client's plans to relocate his family from Brazil to London, and possibly thereafter to New York City.

Clients in Chile, Mexico and Venezuela

Advised clients with cross-border interests in relation to the construction of private trust company structures, which effectively allowed for family business succession planning, cost reduction and greater control over certain trust decisions and tax minimization in the jurisdiction of domicile and internationally.

Our team

Philip Munro

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Partner | London

Paul McGrath

Partner | London

Corporate

Matthew Woods

Matthew Woods

Partner | London

Matthew Woods

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Mara Monte

Mara Monte

Partner | London

Mara Monte

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Ceri Vokes

Ceri Vokes

Partner | London

Ceri Vokes

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Dora Clarke

Dora Clarke

Partner | London

Dora Clarke

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Nicholas R Vaughan

Nicholas R Vaughan

Partner | London

Nicholas R Vaughan

Partner | London

Real estate

Natasha Oakshett

Natasha Oakshett

Partner | London

Natasha Oakshett

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

Typical clients include

Family of three generations having picnic in a park

Families and family offices

Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out More
Business people focused in meeting

Family businesses

From small companies to global brands, we understand the dynamics of family businesses and what makes them special. We offer a rounded view on everything from tax to succession planning. Find Out More
Successful woman looking out of a car window

High net worth individuals

With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More

How else can we help?


We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses.  Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.

Find out more

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch