SMYTH BARKHAM - Key Persons
Caroline is one of the founding partners of Smyth Barkham having previously been a partner in the private client department of Theodore Goddard.
Caroline has a BSc in Geography from University College London during which she spent a sabbatical year at Trinity College Hartford Connecticut USA. She undertook her legal training at the College of law in London. She is a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and is responsible for compliance issues at Smyth Barkham.
Caroline's practice relates primarily to complex inheritance, capital gains and income tax planning matters many of which have an international dimension and dealing with both UK and non-UK domiciled clients. She has extensive experience in advising trustees, beneficiaries and protectors on both onshore and offshore trusts, and acts as trustee on UK trusts and protector on offshore trusts.
Her work increasingly focuses on asset protection and this involves estate planning on death, strategies for lifetime giving, powers of attorney and financial agreements increasingly being used by family members to govern efficient use of family assets. These can include both pre nuptial and post nuptial settlements, and tax efficient transfer of assets pursuant to financial settlement on divorce.
Caroline is married and has three children.
Diana read law at University College London and trained as a solicitor with Goodman Derrick LLP. She was with that firm for nearly fifty years specialising in private client work before joining Smyth Barkham LLP in October 2022.
Diana has particular experience in administering estates and has acted as the professional executrix of a number of notable individuals including high profile artists. In the course of previous estate administrations she has successfully utilised the Acceptance In Lieu Scheme to allow important art works to be offered to HMRC in satisfaction of an Inheritance Tax liability.
She is the trustee of a number of charitable trusts, including the Ramsbury Manor Foundation which is overseeing the restoration of the impressive Manor House with a view to opening it to the public.
After reading law at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Hugh qualified as a solicitor in 1989 joining Theodore Goddard's private client department in 1991. He joined Smyth Barkham upon its foundation in 1997 and became a partner in 1999. He is a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Hugh specialises in all areas of private client law but particularly in relation to complex inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning through the preparation of wills and settlements. He advises trustees and beneficiaries of both UK and offshore settlements on the trust law and on tax issues in connection with distributions from and winding up of settlements. He also advises in connection with contested trusts and probate, including claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975.
When not practising law, Hugh enjoys spending time with his family and is a keen ornithologist.
Ian joined the team as a consultant in November 2021. He has been a city based private client lawyer for over 30 years.
Kai joined the firm in October 2022, she is an experienced Solicitor specialising in advising clients on Wills, estate planning and estate administration with multi-jurisdictional experience.
She advises individuals and families in relation to the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, preparing, finalising and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection Deputyship applications relating to vulnerable clients who no longer have capacity to deal with their affairs.
Kai is committed to providing clear, pragmatic and empathic advice guided by her clients' needs.
In her spare time, Kai enjoys travelling and discovery new places to visit including attending as many F1 races as she can.
Matthew joined Smyth Barkham LLP in June 2018 from the private client department of a City firm. He read Law at the University of Hertfordshire before completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London which he passed with distinction. Matthew qualified as a Solicitor in April 2013. He is a member of STEP (Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners) and he passed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates with distinction.
Matthew advises on all aspects of private client law with a particular focus on the protection and preservation of wealth through the preparation of wills, trusts and lasting powers of attorney. He is experienced in guiding clients through the legal and taxation issues that arise following death, applying for Grants of Probate and administering estates.
Matthew's practice includes advising charities on governance and regulatory matters. He has a particular interest in assisting clients with the formation and registration of new charities.
Outside of the office, Matthew is an enthusiastic cyclist and he enjoys watching motorsport.
Paul read law at New College, Oxford. He was articled at Theodore Goddard and joined their Private Client department in 1991. He left the firm in 1997 upon the formation of Smyth Barkham, becoming a Partner in 2002.
Paul advises on wills, trust and tax matters and also claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents Act) 1975. However his practice has also now evolved to encompass primarily commercial matters. He has been involved in the financial negotiation and the consequential tax implications in several high profile divorce matters including those with a multi jurisdictional element. He advises on domestic employment issues including the drafting of employment contracts, grievance and disciplinary procedures and the implications of the breakdown of the employment relationship both for employers and employees. He also has particular expertise in the music, entertainment and modelling industry involving the drafting of complex contracts for artists and models.
Paul is married with two children and is a keen amateur dramatist.