Q&A with London based Managing Associate, Robert Payne

Why did you choose a career in law?

At university, I volunteered at a student advice centre, providing a pro bono legal service.  I very much enjoyed working there and became involved in running the service.  In addition, my first degree was in history, which had been a passion from a very young age.  I particularly enjoyed researching sources, analysing issues and presenting arguments based upon these.

Why Wealth Preservation- what gives you the greatest satisfaction in your role?

The best buzz comes from solving a complex problem or issue, such as implementing advice to protect a vulnerable family member or a tax effective structuring of assets to benefit children, especially when this gives peace of mind to the client.  This could also be helping a client to set up a trust so that they know that their family will be well provided for after their lifetimes, and assets may be protected from divorce, or that they have appointed trusted people to act for them if they lose capacity to look after their own affairs.  Wealth preservation is a complex area of law and I enjoy explaining technical points to clients so that they understand them and can make informed decisions.  Often the issues raised are very personal, raising sensitive family matters, and it is gratifying to earn a client’s trust.

Tell us more about Greenwoods Wealth Preservation team

It is great to work with colleagues who are experts in their fields, as they are at Greenwoods.  The team is small enough that we can easily catch up with each other and share knowledge and technical expertise but large enough that we can properly cover a very broad range of wealth preservation matters.  We are always learning from each other (and I have too many great colleagues to mention any specifically without getting in trouble from the others!).  The team is growing fast but has very much retained its positive spirit and identity.  I am very much enjoying acting as supervisor to Adam Blackwell, our trainee, who is having a great six month seat with us.

Do you have a niche area of interest/specialism?

I lived in Switzerland for several years and spent a number of years working in-house for a company that provided trustee services.  Consequently, I particularly enjoy advising on any trust matters.

I advise on all aspects of estate planning, often with a cross border element.  This could be a client living in Europe buying a UK property and wanting to understand the estate planning and tax issues that arise from this, a UK based client wanting to make Wills covering their assets in different jurisdictions or a client with children from a first marriage and new spouse, who wants to provide for each fairly and may also have concerns generally about protecting assets for their children (e.g. in the event of a future divorce).

I also advise on UK tax planning, including residence, domicile and tax efficient giving.  I help clients planning to move to the UK about the matters they may wish to address before first becoming UK resident (as once they have become resident then various options may then be unavailable), clients who are planning to depart the UK on what they need to consider and clients that want to make gifts to or for their benefit of their family, either in their lifetime or by Will (in either case there are a number of tax efficient options available). The upcoming changes to the UK’s domicile rules are likely to keep me very busy in the near future.

Tell us about a memorable or unusual matter you have worked on

I attended court in Athens on two separate occasions, to assist a fiduciary service provider in a complex trusts dispute.  The experience was extremely interesting, especially seeing how the court operated and how they interpreted the concept of a discretionary trust. Fortunately, we achieved a positive outcome, although it was sad that it had not been possible to resolve the case without the involvement of the court.

Finally, what are your hobbies and interest outside the office?

I enjoy travelling with my family.  We have recently done a few UK city breaks (Canterbury, Bath and Winchester) and also visited Croatia.  I enjoy sport, mainly with my children, especially playing tennis and cycling.  We also enjoy walking in the Chess Valley and the Chilterns.  I enjoy live music, especially Bruce Springsteen.  I support QPR and am relieved that they survived in the Championship for another season.  I have always enjoyed current affairs, film and the cinema but don’t get much time to go at the moment.

Learn more about Robert by viewing his website profile or learn about our wider Wealth Preservation team here.