Charles Gothard Partner

Charles specialises in advising international families and entrepreneurs as well as the family offices, trust companies and other institutions helping them.

His work often relates to their estate planning, structures (whether trusts, foundations or other vehicles), philanthropy and personal affairs. This frequently involves complex international tax and estate planning, co-ordinating advice from advisers in different jurisdictions and often in situations with little or no UK connection. He also regularly advises foreign residents on the most tax efficient way to structure UK investments or a move to the UK.

Charles also has significant experience of contentious UK and international trust and probate work – resolving disputes between trustees or executors and beneficiaries, acting for either side.

Charles heads the firm’s family office group and is country partner for Switzerland so has overall responsibility for our relationships in Switzerland.

Charles lectures regularly in the UK and abroad and has published articles in many of the leading professional publications. He is the joint editor of The World Trust Survey – an overview of the trust laws of 34 jurisdictions published by Oxford University Press and the joint author of a chapter on “Protectors” in Tolley’s Administration of Trusts.

Charles is a member of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists).

Charles is ranked as a Band One adviser in the HNW edition of the independent Chambers guide and as a leading individual in the UK Legal 500 guide. He has been recognised in the eprivateclient 2021 50 Most Influential list and is recommended in the 2023 Spear’s 500 guide.

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"Charles Gothard: extremely client and solution oriented, out of the box thinker who knows the limits of what is possible. True expert."

The Legal 500 2023

"When it comes to the tax position of family offices, Charles is known as the person to go to. He is forensic and can explain very difficult things to clients in easy language. He cuts straight to the heart of the matter."

Chambers HNW 2022

"I like him very much. He is very bright, very detailed, and very methodical in his approach."

Chambers HNW 2021

"Fantastic international presence. He is exceptionally knowledgeable on Swiss matters."

Chambers HNW 2021

"[He can] develop elegant solutions to complex problems."

Chambers HNW 2021

"[Charles Gothard] is both technically excellent and in command of the material and his advice. He is a warm and caring individual."

Chambers HNW 2021