2019

Forsters raises over £4,000 in aid of St Andrew’s Club

Forsters is delighted to announce that the firm has raised over £4,000 in 2019 for our firmwide charity partner, St Andrew’s Club.

Fraudulent misuse of identity

We are aware that attempts have been made to fraudulently misuse the identity one of our associate solicitors, Dominic Lintner. The fraudsters may use the email address “Dominic.lintner @ forsters.org”. The email address and the person using it are a fraud. It is a scam designed to obtain money illegally.

Kelly Noel-Smith and Jeremy Robertson to speak at STEP Geneva event

Private Client partner Kelly Noel-Smith, and senior associate Jeremy Robertson, will be speaking at the STEP Geneva luncheon on 12 December.

Forsters advise Wrenbridge with Buccleuch on the sale of Quadron, Dartford

Forsters has advised Wrenbridge and Buccleuch on the sale of The Quadron, Dartford to Aberdeen Standard Investments for £12.1 million.

The scheme encompasses 41,500 sq ft which has been fully pre-let to Network Rail. The Grade A building occupies a prime location on The Bridge in Dartford - a 1.8m sq ft mixed use development.

Catharine Bell and Rosie Schumm to present at the STEP Bermuda Conference 2019

Private Client partner, Catharine Bell and Family partner, Rosie Schumm will deliver a presentation at the STEP Bermuda conference entitled: How to navigate the interaction between trusts and matrimonial law in a changing world.

Public interest disclosure of legal advice

The First Tier Tribunal has ruled against the Information Commissioner in the withholding of information covered by legal advice privilege under the “course of justice” exception.

Forsters Property Litigation Team succeed in the Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal have today given judgment in an appeal concerning a block of residential flats in Park Lane. The Judgment, given by Lord Justice Lewison clarifies the definition of a "flat" within Section 101 of the 1993 Act.

Diverse dynastic drivers - Rosie Schumm and Emma White participate in STEP Journal roundtable

Family partner, Rosie Schumm, and Private Client senior associate, Emma White, participate in STEP Journal roundtable.

International Families

How can international families act now to futureproof their wealth?

As the outlook for the UK (and many other jurisdictions) continues to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future, globally mobile families must shift their mindset from "wait and see" to "act now", in order to utilise current planning opportunities to safeguard their wealth.

Our Private Wealth partners share their insights:

Patrick Harney to speak at the US/ UK Tax Planning Conference

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney will be speaking at the KNect365 US/ UK Tax Planning Conference on 7 November 2019.

Forsters' Corporate client, Vega successfully raises $5 million to develop decentralised trading technology

Forsters is pleased to congratulate our Corporate client, Vega, on having successfully raised $5 million to develop its decentralised trading technology.

Forsters is attending The Annual Hotel Conference (The AHC)

On the 8 and 9 October, Andrew Parker (head of Hotels) and Ben Brayford (partner, Commercial Real Estate) will be attending the AHC, the UK's leading conference for hoteliers; individual, boutique, branded and consortium hotel owners, operators and managers.

Emma White to speak at Vie International’s 2019 PPLI Conference

Senior Associate, Emma White, will speak at the Vie International Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) Conference, on 3 October 2019.

Jo Edwards to run the Royal Parks Half marathon for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity

Head of Family, Jo Edwards is running the Royal Parks Half marathon on 13 October to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and help support the hospital in offering a better future to seriously ill children across the UK.

Forsters to host Graduate Recruitment Dinner

Forsters are hosting a dinner for a select number of students to network with partners, associates, trainees and the Graduate Recruitment team. This is a fantastic opportunity for attendees to find out more about the firm and what life is like at 31 Hill Street.

Forsters attending the IBA Annual Conference Seoul 2019

Forsters will be attending the IBA Annual Conference in Seoul, South Korea 2019 - the largest and most prestigious networking event for international lawyers.

Patrick Harney and Jeremy Robertson to speak at STEP Isle of Man 2019 Conference

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney and senior associate Jeremy Robertson will be speaking at the STEP Isle of Man annual conference on 24 October 2019.

Patrick Harney to speak at Vie International’s 2019 PPLI Conference

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney, will speak at the Vie International Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) Conference, on 3 October 2019.

Forsters advise Patrizia on the sale and leaseback of a car park site at Gatwick

Forsters has advised a separate account client of Patrizia on the sale and leaseback of a car park site at Charlwood Road, Gatwick to Q-Park. The purchase price was circa £26 million.

Inspiring school students to consider a career in law

Hannah Mantle and Bryan Shacklady from Forsters’ Dispute Resolution team participated this August in the annual Lauriston Lights summer school at Bow School.

Forsters sponsor LaSalle bike ride

Forsters is sponsoring the LaSalle bike ride from Reading to Bristol. This 96 mile route takes place on 11 July raising funds for charity LandAid. All funds raised will aid the specific project run by local Bristol based charity, 16-25 Independent People, which offers innovative housing solutions for homeless people.

Forsters advise on The Tide - London's High Line

A new elevated walkway and park opened to the public on Greenwich Peninsula on 5 July. Known as The Tide, it is billed as London’s first ever “riverside linear park” and will offer a new route to the Thames and The Jetty cultural space, forming part of Knight Dragon’s comprehensive redevelopment of Greenwich Peninsula.

Leading charities lawyer joins Forsters to boost Charities and Philanthropy practice

Neasa Coen joins Forsters’ top ranked Private Wealth team as its first Counsel appointment.

Forsters advises Hero Enterprise on a £500 million hospitality joint venture with Catalyst Capital

India’s Hero Enterprise and Catalyst Capital have formed a £500 million joint venture to invest in hospitality projects in the UK and Ireland.

Forsters team compete in JLL Triathlon

A Forsters team will once again compete in the JLL Triathlon and help to raise funds for charity.

PedElling to Rome – Forsters partners cycle 400km for charity

Commercial Real Estate partner Victoria Towers and Residential partner Helen Marsh have completed a three day 400km cycle ride which raised £50,000 for charity Coram.

The annual event called PedElle, organised by Club Peloton and sponsored by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, brings together women in the property industry for the networking ride.

Forsters' Real Estate Finance team advise OakNorth bank

Forsters' market leading Real Estate Finance team, led by partner Victoria Edwards, has advised long standing client OakNorth.

Jo Edwards gives evidence to parliamentary committee as part of an inquiry into Court and Tribunal reforms

Jo Edwards, Head of Family, was invited, as Chair of national family law organisation Resolution’s Family Law Reform committee, to give oral evidence to the Justice Committee about the Court and Tribunal reforms within the family justice system and the impact on access to justice.

Forsters profiled in The Lawyer Magazine’s ‘long read’

The firm has been featured in The Lawyer Magazine’s ‘long read’ feature as part of an analysis of the firms operating in the second half of the Top 100 of UK law firms.

Michael Armstrong to take part in panel discussion on inherited wealth

Senior Associate Michael Armstrong will be participating in a panel discussion on “Inheritance and the Next Generation”. The event, hosted by Charles Stanley, will take place on Wednesday 5th June at the Royal Academy.

Michael will be sharing his experience of working with UK and international individuals and families who are looking to pass wealth down the generations.

Julia Ramsden Gunduz to speak at STEP Guernsey's annual conference

Private Client Director, Julia Ramsden Gunduz will deliver a presentation entitled: Trust Register - Public or Otherwise. The 2019 STEP Guernsey conference will take place on 20 June 2019 at Beau Sejour, Guernsey.

The flagship event allows delegates to meet, network and gain important knowledge and technical updates from outstanding speakers in the industry.

Forsters team advise WMG on residential scheme

Forsters has advised private investment office WMG in relation a development finance facility for £16.5 million provided by OakNorth in relation to a residential-led scheme in Aldgate, E1.

Forsters team complete sale of Woking One

Forsters has advised Wrenbridge and Palmer Capital in relation to the sale and letting of Woking One, an office-led mixed-use scheme in Woking, for £27.2million to Woking Borough Council.

Forsters awarded Silver in Mind's Workplace Wellbeing Index

Forsters LLP has once again been recognised for its commitment to workplace wellbeing.

Mind's Workplace Wellbeing Index is a benchmark of best policy and practice. It is designed to celebrate the good work employers are doing to promote and support positive mental health.

"Trusts under the hammer" contentious trusts conference takes place in Barcelona

Head of Dispute Resolution Emily Exton and CTE partner Roberta Harvey are co-hosting the third Fresh Perspectives contentious trusts conference, this year entitled "Trusts under the hammer".

Nick Jacob to participate in Legal Business round table discussion on Family Offices

Private Client partner, Nick Jacob, will this evening participate in a round table discussion entitled 'Family offices: key opportunities and challenges’.

Private Wealth drives financial growth at Forsters

Forsters LLP, the leading Private Wealth and Real Estate law firm, announced today that fee income in 2018 – 2019 was up by 8% at £56.8 million and that Profit per Partner rose by 10% to £381,000.

Patrick Harney to speak at the Transcontinental Trusts: International Forum in Bermuda

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney, will deliver a presentation entitled: Inbound Planning to the UK for US citizens. The 5th Trans Trust Bermuda conference, an annual Private Client event, takes place this year on 5 – 7 June.

Nick Jacob to speak at the Transcontinental Trusts: International Forum in Bermuda

Private Client partner Nicholas Jacob will be delivering a presentation on Structuring & Advising for Asian clients. The 5th Trans Trust Bermuda conference, an annual Private Client event, takes place this year on 5 – 7 June.

Emily Exton to chair Contentious Private Client Seminar

Head of Dispute Resolution, Emily Exton, will be chairing the Contentious Private Client Seminar taking place on 12 September at the Grange Fitzovia Hotel in London.

Forsters to attend Movers & Shakers networking breakfast

Five Forsters' associates will attend the Movers & Shakers networking breakfast on Friday 26 April 2019 at the Royal Lancaster, London.

Nick Jacob to present at the STEP Caribbean conference

Private Client Partner, Nick Jacob will be speaking at the STEP Caribbean conference which takes place from 12 to 15 May in the Bahamas.

Forsters is attending the IBA Annual Litigation Forum 2019

Dispute Resolution partner, Andrew Head and associate, Edward Parry-Smith will be attending the IBA Annual Litigation Forum in Berlin, Germany on 8-10 May 2019.

Patrick Harney to speak at the KNect365 US/UK Tax Planning conference in New York and Los Angeles

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney, will deliver a presentation entitled Planning with Life Insurance, alongside Riccardo Gambineri of Crown Global Insurance Group and Lawrence Lipoff of CohnReznick.

Gender Pay Gap – Forsters continues to report outstanding results

Forsters has today published its gender pay gap report in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 (Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2017.

Forsters’ award-winning Family team doubles number of partners with two lateral hires

The Family practice has expanded with the appointment of Simon Blain and Matthew Brunsdon Tully.

George Mitchell to present at the US Expatriate Tax and Finance Conference 2019

Senior associate, George Mitchell, will speak at the 8th Annual US Expat Tax & Finance Conference held in London from 26 - 27 March 2019.

The conference will explore the most pressing current issues for Americans living overseas and drawing on the expertise of speakers from specialists in both the UK and Canada.

Future Leaders in Property (“FLIP”) Quiz Night

On Wednesday 27 March, associates and senior associates from across Forsters' property teams will come together to host the first FLIP event of 2019.   

The quiz is a sell-out, and the night will see 100 guests from across the real estate sector meet for an evening of networking and quizzing.

Natasha Rees to speak at Leasehold Conference 2019

Natasha Rees, Partner and Head of Property Litigation, will be speaking at the Leasehold Conference 2019 on the 26th March in London.

Rosie Schumm to speak at the Private Client Forum Americas

Family partner, Rosie Schumm will be speaking at the Private Client Forum Americas which will take place in California from 27 to 29 March.

Emma White to speak at the 15th Annual International Estate Planning Institute in New York

Senior Associate, Emma White, will be speaking at the 15th Annual International Estate Planning Institute, which will take place on 14 and 15 March in New York.

Forsters’ Private Client team attending 15th Annual International Estate Planning Institute in New York

Partners Patrick Harney and Rosie Schumm, along with Senior Associates Emma White and George Mitchell will be attending the 15th Annual International Estate Planning Institute on 14 and 15 March in New York.

Patrick Harney to speak at STEP Chicago event

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney will be the exclusive speaker at STEP Chicago’s March meeting which will cover the program topic: International tax enforcement measures impacting the US. Patrick will be discussing the international tax enforcement measures coming into force in the EU and the UK and its impact in the US.

Patrick Harney to speak at STEP San Diego event

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney will be the exclusive speaker at STEP San Diego’s March meeting. Patrick will discuss Inbound Planning for US citizens into the UK, the presentation will cover topics such as the remittance basis of income tax, UK Inheritance tax mitigation and the UK tax treatment of US revocable trusts.

Forsters advise on flagship Covent Garden letting to Boots

Forsters has advised The Mercers’ Company on the letting of 28,000 sq ft of prime retail and office space to Boots. The retail and office premises, located directly opposite Covent Garden tube station, forms part of the wider Mercers’ Covent Garden estate. Boots will occupy the ground and first floors along with part of the basement and second floor on a 20 year lease.

Ashleigh Carr selected as new committee member of ConTrA

CTE Associate, Ashleigh Carr has been selected as a new committee member of the Contentious Trusts Association – ConTrA.

Forsters is attending the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) 2019

Andrew Parker (Head of Hotels) and Sarah Pass (Partner, Commercial Real Estate) will be attending the IHIF 2019 - the leading event for hotel sector professionals.

Catharine Bell admitted as a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trusts Law

Private Client and CTE partner Catharine Bell has been admitted as a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trusts Law.

Roberta Harvey to speak at the Trusts in Litigation conference in Athens

The Trusts in Litigation conference, an annual Private Client event, takes place this year on 14 to 15 February. CTE Partner, Roberta Harvey, will deliver a presentation alongside Nixon Peabody Partner, Jonathan Sablone on Friday, 15 February.

Government launches consultation on the introduction of a 1% SDLT on non-UK residents

The Government has launched a consultation on the introduction of a 1% SDLT surcharge on the purchase of residential property by non-UK residents (individuals, companies, trusts etc). 

Case summary: Neo Bankside Residents v Tate Gallery

Forsters LLP acted for five residents of the Neo Bankside development, situated on London's South Bank, who brought a claim against the Tate Modern in nuisance and under the Human Right Act 1998 in an attempt to protect their right to privacy from the Viewing Gallery, which is on the tenth floor of the Tate Modern Blavatnik extension.

Forsters advise Moorfield on pre-letting and sale of Aurora, Ealing

Forsters have advised Moorfield Group, the UK real estate private equity fund manager, on securing two new tenants at Aurora, the fully refurbished office building in Ealing, London, and its subsequent sale to Aviva Investors for £36,250,000.

Patrick Harney has been recognised as one of eprivateclient’s 2019 50 Most Influential

Head of Private Client, Patrick Harney has once again been listed in this year’s eprivateclient 50 Most Influential.

Forsters shortlisted in the Citywealth’s Magic Circle awards 2019

We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the ‘Property Law Firm of the Year' category of the Citywealth’s Magic Circle Awards 2019.

You are able to vote for Forsters by clicking here. Voting closes on the 12th April 2019.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 16 May 2019.

Forsters trainees win prestigious Gamlen Prize

Forsters' trainee solicitor Timothy Evans has been awarded the annual Gamlen Prize with Alexandra Treacy (who is due to start her training contract with Forsters in September 2019) the runner up.

Forsters advise Manex Properties Limited in relation to the purchase and financing of Drury House, Covent Garden

Forsters has advised new client, Manex Properties (Manex) a company operated by Excellion Capital, on its first UK acquisition. Manex purchased the freehold interest in Drury House, Covent Garden at a purchase price of £43.75 million. Forsters provided both the finance and commercial real estate advice to Manex.

Jo Edwards speaks at Edinburgh conference about family law reform

Head of Family, Jo Edwards, gave a presentation to around 200 delegates from England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland, about decades of family law reform, the current environment and hopes for the future.

Jo Edwards to speak at the Four Jurisdictions Family Law conference

The Four Jurisdictions Family Law conference will take place in Edinburgh on 1 – 2 February 2019. The conference brings together family law practitioners from England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Forsters advise on sale of Oxford student accommodation by BA Pension Fund to L&G Retirement Fund

Forsters has advised its long standing client the British Airways Pension Fund on the £37.1m sale of a modern 133 bedroom student development.

James Brockhurst to speak on Crypto-Assets and Blockchain at STEP event hosted by Forsters

Forsters will host the STEP City event entitled 'Crypto-Assets and Blockchain: what next?' on 14 January.

James Brockhurst, senior associate in our Private Client team, will speak about the emerging trends in the crypto markets and what the future holds for crypto-assets.

Forsters advise Wrenbridge and Buccleuch Property on Clapham Road acquisition

Forsters has advised Wrenbridge and Buccleuch Property on the acquisition of 25,000 square feet of grade A office accommodation at 330 Clapham Road.

The office accommodation is over seven floors along with ground floor retail and was constructed as part of a mixed-use development by Notting Hill Genesis.

Forsters' Real Estate team attending MIPIM 2019

Forsters will be attending MIPIM 2019 - the leading real estate event for property professionals.

MIPIM, the premier real estate event, gathers the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry for four days of networking, learning and transaction through premium events, conferences and dedicated exhibition zones.

Forsters expands its top-ranked Contentious Trusts and Estates practice with the hire of highly regarded partner Roberta Harvey

Roberta Harvey’s arrival consolidates Forsters’ reputation as one of the leading Contentious Trusts and Estates practices in the London market.