Private client solicitor Emma Cox has a particular focus on charity law and complex probate work on behalf of international clients.
‘I’ve done a lot of charity work over the last year,’ she tells us. ‘I’ve been helping individuals and families set up philanthropy strategies, and advising big institutional charities. One of the most exciting things I’ve done recently is working on a merger of two large charities with the aim of making their fundraising more effective – it was very rewarding.’
The biggest concern for Cox and her clients remains uncertainty over the non-dom regime: ‘It’s very complex,’ she says. ‘The changes are coming through piecemeal and it has been very difficult, with the delayed legislation, to advise clients at such an uncertain time.’
With the advent of the CRS and the trend towards transparency, trust structures and charities face increasing reporting burdens and attention from HMRC, Cox says. There have also been changes on the charities front: ‘Domestically, new powers were given to the Charity Commission last year, so we’ve seen an increase in activity: there has been more regulation and scrutiny of charities generally.’
The Cambridge graduate also advises clients to ‘take advice early; it’s important not to get caught out by the changes’.