Conference programme

This panel brings together representatives of the four key pillars that shape the decision-making ecosystem of international private clients: family offices, legal advisers, private bankers and investment professionals. Through a dynamic, practice-oriented discussion, the speakers will explore how these disciplines interact when addressing complex cross-border issues for wealthy families, including governance structures, succession planning and wealth deployment strategies.

In this panel, we will explore the challenges and potential pitfalls which arise when implementing civil law structures - such as Usufruct, Bewind and Fideicomiso - in common law jurisdictions. Panellists will unpack tax treatment, legal characterisation and ownership issues (during lifetime and after death), pinpointing where multi-jurisdictional mismatches may arise and how to anticipate and manage them. Through case studies, we will also cover reporting and transparency, as well as practical considerations for private client advisers trying to find pragmatic and predictable solutions which work across borders

Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping the private clients practice, transforming how advisors work, make decisions, and interact with their clients. While AI offers significant opportunities for greater efficiency, deeper insights, and innovative services, it also raises important legal, ethical, and practical questions. In this round-table discussion, we will explore whether AI should be viewed as a trusted ally or a potential challenge in the private clients practice, and how professionals can navigate the opportunities and risks ahead (generated by ChatGPT).

Kickstart your morning with a cup of coffee and a rousing discussion of…. You! Is there new legislation affecting your practice? Any relevant new cases? Have recent legal or regulatory changes keeping you up at night or let you sleep better? How are you sourcing and retaining talent for your firm? Please come share with us the hot topics in your jurisdiction and in your practice. Join us for a lively round-table discussion for an exchange of knowledge among participants. The listed facilitators will open the debate, then the floor is yours!

Continental breakfast will be provided.

A lively side-by-side comparison of several popular jurisdictions for setting up planning and governance structures, focusing on the differences between the traditional jurisdictions and the ‘new’ planning jurisdictions. The panel will discuss the various entity and structure options in each jurisdiction, the strength of the relevant court system, any reputational issues, the depth and quality of the relevant legal and service providers, whether the country is or has been on any ‘grey’ lists as well as any relevant tax and cost factors.

This session explores what happens when aging clients change wills, remarry, gift generously, or disinherit heirs — all seemingly within their rights. We will examine where autonomy ends and undue influence begins, and what lawyers, banks, and custodians should do when the lines blur. From ‘heir hunting’ to sudden consultant changes, we address the legal and ethical tensions that arise when perception diverges from reality. It's a discussion about law, dignity, and professional responsibility — and about protecting clients, even when they resist it.

In cross-border estate planning, even the most carefully designed structures can unravel when laws, families, and jurisdictions collide. This session examines how ‘anything that can go wrong, will go wrong’ plays out in real private-client practice and how advisers can anticipate, prevent, and manage the fallout. Drawing on real-world case studies, our panel will explore common and unexpected points of failure: mismatched succession regimes, defective trust and foundation governance, tax-residency surprises, forced-heirship conflicts, overlooked digital assets, and the human element—family dynamics, incapacity, and fiduciary missteps. We will discuss practical strategies to build resilience into international plans, respond to emerging risks, and navigate crises when they inevitably arise. Participants will leave with a sharper understanding of how to stress-test estate plans, communicate risk, and craft solutions that withstand the messy realities of global families.

All delegates are invited to join the Committee Officers at an open business meeting to discuss the planning of next year’s London conference and other activities of the Private Client Tax Committee.