Charles Russell Speechlys

About Charles Russell Speechlys

International law firm with private wealth at its core, advising on luxury real estate, art and cultural property, yachts, and complex cross-border structuring.

Known For

• Formed in 2014 by the merger of Charles Russell and Speechly Bircham, two London firms with nineteenth-century origins
• Private wealth is the largest practice area, unusual for a full-service firm of its size
• Offices in London, Cheltenham, Guildford, Paris, Luxembourg, Geneva, Zurich, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore
• Recognised practices in residential property, art and cultural property, yachts and contentious trusts

Typical Mandate

Charles Russell Speechlys is engaged by international families, entrepreneurs and family offices with UK, Swiss or Middle Eastern connections who need coordinated advice across tax, trusts, property and family law. Typical work includes structuring the purchase of a London house above GBP 10 million, advising a non-domiciled family on relocation to the UK or Switzerland, disputes over trusts, and transactions involving art or yachts. The firm's size allows it to staff matters that combine several of these strands.

How to Engage

Clients typically come via introductions from private banks, trustees or accountants, but the firm accepts direct inquiries through its website and each office. A prospective client should be ready to outline the family's residence and citizenship position, the assets involved and the immediate decision. Conflict checks and client due diligence are completed before any advice is given, so identification documents are required at the outset.

Frequently Asked Questions