Overview

Although historically seen as an estate planning tool for wealthy individuals, trusts can also play a valuable role in commercial transactions. Our specialist team of commercial trust lawyers is highly experienced in the effective use of trusts as investment vehicles, security devices and for broader business purposes. This knowledge ensures our clients secure the benefits of a trust appropriate to their requirements.

We advise on a wide range of commercial trust law matters including the creation, administration and tax implications of using a trust as part of a commercial transaction. The team also works with clients on the rights of beneficiaries under a commercial trust and the position of trustees and other service providers on their powers and duties.

Where high-value litigation can quickly become business-critical, our committed team will go beyond their legal position to support clients in managing reputational, financial and other commercial risks to ensure disputes and other issues are resolved in a fair and timely manner.

Areas of focus

Our expertise in Commercial Trust law includes the following:

  • Creation and administration of commercial trusts.
  • Advice on commercial trusts as investment vehicles.
  • Employee Benefit Trusts.
  • Travel industry trusts.
  • The use of trusts for title retention.
  • Trusts as securitisation vehicles.
Experience

Advising a major international bank on the use of purpose trust to act as security for private equity portfolio valued at $300 million.

Advising a bank on inheritance tax position of travel-industry trusts.

Advising numerous clients on the use of employee benefit trusts.

Resolving disputes with HM Revenue & Customs on the misuse of employee benefit trusts recommended by boutique tax-consultancy.

Advising an energy company on trust structure to hold and distribute supplier funds.

Advice to several clients regarding the use of trusts to support long-term funeral plan funding.

Meet the team
Headshot John Barnett

John Barnett Partner

  • Head of Partnerships
  • Private Client Services
  • Tax
Kevin Kennedy

Kevin Kennedy Partner

  • Agricultural Disputes
  • Trust and Probate Disputes
  • Estates and Land
Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming

What others say...

Burges Salmon is highly technical and responsive in all their areas of expertise.

Chambers UK 2024

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