Areas of Practice
Track Record
Administration of an estate containing valuable heritage property and involving a significant claim for conditional exemption from inheritance tax. Negotiations with HM Revenue & Customs
The administration of estates involving assets attracting both agricultural property relief and business property relief and strategic advice on the application of those reliefs together with subsequent negotiations with HM Revenue & Customs
Administration of estates where the deceased was non-UK domiciled and, in particular, where the deceased was domiciled in one of the Gulf States. Advising on: the assets within the UK IHT calculation, potential application of the succession law of the country of domicile to the UK assets, eligibility of family members to apply for a UK Grant
Administration of estates containing assets in Europe, the Far East, United States of America and Australia and obtaining the documentation required in each country to enable liquidation and/or transfer of those assets
Negotiations with HM Revenue & Customs in an estate with considerable overseas assets but no access to funds to pay the initial inheritance tax liability. Obtaining a “Grant on credit”
Memberships
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Education & Qualification
University of Manchester
Qualified as a solicitor in 1998
STEP Advanced Certificate in International Succession and Probate
Recommended by Sally
Senior Partner, Andrea Zavos will speak at the Trusts and Estates Litigation Forum on a panel exploring the evolving challenges facing trustees during periods of uncertainty. The session will highlight key emerging risks – including criminal investigations, privacy issues, governance failures and recent contentious decisions in Guernsey and Liechtenstein. She will be joined by Basil Zirinis, Johannes Gasser and Simon Davies.
Read more 3 min read 28 Jan 2026 Leaving a lasting impact: The adviser’s role in guiding clients toward meaningful legaciesIn her guest blog for Remember A Charity, Private Wealth Partner Clare Stirzaker reflects on how philanthropy is becoming an increasingly thoughtful part of wealth planning. She shows how advisers now help clients frame their values and long‑term intentions, moving beyond a purely technical approach. Clare also emphasises that impactful giving relies on coordinated thinking across the advisory landscape, where legal, financial and investment professionals work together to support clients in shaping purposeful, well‑rounded legacy plans.
Read more 2 min read 06 Jan 2026 Confirmation of £2.5m IHT relief threshold for farmers and businessesThe Finance Bill published yesterday confirms that, as we highlighted in our 23 December briefing, the increased £2.5m inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business property will apply from 6 April 2026. Qualifying ‘relevant property’ trusts can also benefit from 100% relief up to this threshold, aligning trustee allowances with individual transfers.
Read more 2 min read 23 Dec 2025 Breaking news on IHT reformIn a welcome announcement for farmers and business owners, the government has confirmed an increase to the 100% IHT relief allowance to £2.5m per person from April 2026. Partner and Head of Private Wealth, Hayden Bailey and Legal Director, Emma Haley comment on what this means in practice and stress that now may be the right time to review wills and succession planning.
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