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Kyra Motley

Kyra Motley, Boodle Hatfield

Partner
Private Client & Tax

+44 (0) 20 7079 8223 download vcard
Kyra Motley, Boodle Hatfield

Kyra specialises in multi-jurisdictional wealth planning, international tax and trusts, succession planning and family governance for high net worth (“HNW”) and ultra high net worth (“UHNW”) clients, their families as well as related advice to family offices.

She has extensive experience in advising on wealth preservation and tax efficient structures in an international context and is well recognised for advising clients in relation to complex cross-border tax and estate planning for UK and non-UK domiciled individuals and families.

Many of Kyra’s clients are from the Middle East, particularly Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Her commercial acumen, “hands-on approach”, “attention to detail” and strong cultural understanding enables her to assume the role of trusted advisor to many families and individuals in the MENA region. Over the last 12 years, she has built a solid reputation managing global legal affairs and has particular expertise in structuring wealth so that the devolution complies with the Islamic Sharia principles of succession (where this is needed).

She has been widely recognised for her achievements by the legal directories including Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. This includes being listed as a foreign expert (Middle East-wide) in the Chambers High Net Worth guide and shortlisted in the same category for the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2022. Kyra is also Band 2 ranked for our Tier 1 Family Office and Funds practice.

Kyra is a regular traveller to the Middle East and she is also a contributor to the legal and national press and has recently shared her insights in the Times, the Telegraph, the FT and CityAM.

Areas of Practice

Private Client, International Wealth Planning,  Families & Family Office, Tax & Advisory, International, Family Business, UK Real Estate Structuring,  Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate & Administration of Estates

 

Track Record

Acting for a prominent MENA based family with assets of £2bn plus to establish a single-family office to manage the family’s global assets based in seven different jurisdictions. Advice includes the establishment of multiple separate PTC vehicles, and the structuring of real estate in the UK, Europe and MENA region. The work also included structuring significant business assets as well as substantial tech start-up businesses.

Acting on a number of cases involving Sharia succession rules and advising in the context of the application of these rules outside of the Gulf. Kyra has worked to both structure wealth as well as to challenge planning undertaken where there has been a family dispute.

Kyra has a typical Family Office practice and manages multiple different elements for individuals, from sourcing luxury goods and property to management of household staff and art, cars, yachts and private jets.

Awards & Rankings

Legal 500, Leading Individual, 2023

Chambers HNW Awards, Foreign Jurisdiction Expert – Shortlisted 2022

Chambers HNW, Ranked Individual, 2022

Legal Week Private Client Global Elite, Rising Leader, 2022

Legal 500, Next Gen Partner, 2021 & 2022

Chambers HNW, Foreign Expert, 2020 – 2022

Legal Week Private Client Global Elite, One to Watch, 2021

EprivateClient, Top 35 under 35, 2016 – 2018

Conference Speaking

ICSA Seminar, Private Client Governance Succession Structures for the Internationally mobile, 2018

STEP Jersey Seminar, Practical tips for dealing with the new IHT rules for UK residential property, 2019

Informa, ‘Cross Border Planning: The Next Generation’ Conference in Dubai, 2022

STEP Arabia Conference in Abu Dhabi, Tax Update, 2022

Thought Leaders 4 Private Client ‘Wealth / Life Middle East’ Conference in Dubai, Working With Family Offices: Should you have one? Setting One Up? Client, Obstacle or Threat?, 2022

Memberships

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners

Education & Qualification

University of Southampton

Qualified as a solicitor in 2011

Acting for a prominent MENA based family with assets of £2bn plus to establish a single-family office to manage the family’s global assets based in seven different jurisdictions. Advice includes the establishment of multiple separate PTC vehicles, and the structuring of real estate in the UK, Europe and MENA region. The work also included structuring significant business assets as well as substantial tech start-up businesses.

Acting on a number of cases involving Sharia succession rules and advising in the context of the application of these rules outside of the Gulf. Kyra has worked to both structure wealth as well as to challenge planning undertaken where there has been a family dispute.

Kyra has a typical Family Office practice and manages multiple different elements for individuals, from sourcing luxury goods and property to management of household staff and art, cars, yachts and private jets.

Legal 500, Leading Individual, 2023

Chambers HNW Awards, Foreign Jurisdiction Expert – Shortlisted 2022

Chambers HNW, Ranked Individual, 2022

Legal Week Private Client Global Elite, Rising Leader, 2022

Legal 500, Next Gen Partner, 2021 & 2022

Chambers HNW, Foreign Expert, 2020 – 2022

Legal Week Private Client Global Elite, One to Watch, 2021

EprivateClient, Top 35 under 35, 2016 – 2018

ICSA Seminar, Private Client Governance Succession Structures for the Internationally mobile, 2018

STEP Jersey Seminar, Practical tips for dealing with the new IHT rules for UK residential property, 2019

Informa, ‘Cross Border Planning: The Next Generation’ Conference in Dubai, 2022

STEP Arabia Conference in Abu Dhabi, Tax Update, 2022

Thought Leaders 4 Private Client ‘Wealth / Life Middle East’ Conference in Dubai, Working With Family Offices: Should you have one? Setting One Up? Client, Obstacle or Threat?, 2022

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners

University of Southampton

Qualified as a solicitor in 2011

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