Payne Hicks Beach

About Payne Hicks Beach

Premier London private client firm advising landed estates, families, and trusts on complex wealth holding structures and succession planning.

Known For

• Private client firm at Lincoln's Inn with origins in 1730, acting for landed estates, trusts and long-established families
• Family law team led for many years by Baroness Shackleton, known for high-profile divorces
• Top-tier rankings in private wealth, family and agricultural and estates law in Chambers and Legal 500
• Complementary practices in immigration, privacy and reputation, and residential and rural property

Typical Mandate

Payne Hicks Beach is engaged by UK families with substantial land, trusts and heritage assets, and by international families with UK connections, for succession planning, trust administration, tax advice and the governance of estates across generations. It is also instructed in high-value divorces and in disputes over wills and trusts. Property work centres on country estates and prime London houses. Mandates tend to be long-running relationships rather than single transactions, reflecting the firm's client base.

How to Engage

Introductions from trustees, land agents, private banks and other family advisers are the usual route, but the firm accepts direct inquiries through its website. For private client matters, a summary of family members, residence positions, existing trusts and the assets involved is the starting point. For family law, contact is often urgent and the firm runs conflict checks promptly. Client due diligence precedes substantive advice.

Frequently Asked Questions