Michael Stanford-Tuck

London Practice Group Head | Private Client and Trusts, Counsel

 

profile

Michael Stanford-Tuck is Counsel and London Group Head of the Private Client & Trusts department. He deals with asset protection structures and global cross-border trust and tax planning for international private and corporate clients. He acts for families, banks and trust companies on a wide range of offshore and international issues. His experience includes international probate advice (including Japan), double-tax treaty issues and inward investment to the UK and elsewhere.

Michael's main areas of work include asset protection structures, choice of jurisdiction advice, property and shareholding structuring, real property for private clients, trust disputes and investment issues, domicile and residence, international trust/estate planning, probate, wills and family provision, and trusts and estates/heritage property.

He qualified with Lovells in London. He spent eight years with Appleby between 1975 and 1983, developing the firm’s trust business. Michael became a private client partner at Taylor Wessing in 1984, practising international trust and estate planning, and cross-border asset protection work. He rejoined Appleby in May 2007.

He regularly speaks, and acts as panel member or chair at trust conferences, including the Intercontinental Trusts Conference 2009. He also regularly contributes articles to publications including Rothschild’s Review and Offshore Tax Planning. Michael was again recognised in the 2012 Citywealth 'Leaders List'. This annual list aims to highlight the best of those individuals working in the wealth management sector.

Michael is a member of the Star Group of London Tax Lawyers, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.

expertise

Some recent examples of work include advising:
  • In relation to the reconstruction of a significant group of Bermuda settlements with beneficiaries resident in the UK and Australia, to assist in attaining optimum tax treatment in both jurisdictions and to provide asset protection structures for a diverse range of assets including properties, private equity, venture capital and portfolio investment
  • And acting as liaison for high net worth individuals resident in London through the provision of general advice in relation to offshore trust structures and best practice procedures
  • On purpose trust structures to achieve off balance sheet treatment for cross-border leasing transactions
  • European-based clients in relation to the global capabilities of Appleby in all of its offshore jurisdictions
  • And assisting in the referral of clients requiring specialist UK tax advice in relation to offshore trust structures