STEP Journal: Issue 1, 2024

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STEP Journal: Issue 1, 2024

Welcome to Issue 1 of the STEP Journal. In this issue, we focus on vulnerable clients and modern families, delving into challenges faced by ‘blended families’ and global perspectives on mental capacity. We also explore the UK region, including Scotland’s new trust Bill and the meaning of ‘home’ in England and Wales. 


View the full issue as a digital magazine (login required), or read online below.


Read the full issue online

With a little help from AI

Foreword: By now, most of you will be aware that we are moving to a digital-only publication in May.

Our survey says…

What do our members think of STEP and what are we doing about it?

Riding the waves of change

Helen Bradford-Swire examines the impact of global regulation and compliance on private client business practice and advisors

Losing the plot

Sarah Wray outlines tax considerations when selling one’s garden in the UK

Familiar territory?

Nick Marshall and Nadine Walton consider Cross-border implications for individuals connected to both England and Wales and Scotland

Does it fit the Bill?

John McArthur reports on progress to update Scotland’s century-old trust law

The meaning of home

Rebecca Waterhouse considers the importance of the definition of ‘home’ under the statutory residence test in the UK

Till death us do part

Sheena Cassidy-Hope and Georgia Haughney discuss a recent UK Supreme Court case that confirmed financial proceedings on divorce cannot continue following the death of one of the spouses

Work smarter, not harder

Reena Bhudia considers the potential UK tax implications for those spending time working in the UK

It all ends in Tiers

Zoe Jacob assesses UK high-net-worth immigration options in a post-Tier 1 (Investor) visa landscape

Around the world

Helen Bradford-Swire rounds up estate planning, taxation, regulation and residency news in Africa, Arabia and Israel

Holy manimony

In this article, Zoë Bloom explores the growing trend of alimony being paid to men and potential jurisdictional challenges

Blended families

Fiona Higgott and Nasima Ansary outline how to prevent and combat challenges to wills for modern families in England and Wales

A tale of two tests

Nicola Bushby and Katherine Reed describe the tension between the Banks v Goodfellow and MCA 2005 tests when dealing with testamentary capacity in England and Wales

A guide with global relevance

Kathleen Cunningham reviews a recently created guide for assisting persons in vulnerable situations, with an emphasis on Canada

The need for a holistic approach

Wesley O’Brien and Robert Lindley provide a Cayman Islands perspective on mental capacity, undue influence and vulnerable clients

The parent trap

Andrew Powell provides an introduction to sperm donation and the law in the UK

De-risking causes of action

Andrew Barns-Graham, Michael Pulford and Brian Lacy explain the utility of commercial litigation funding

Invest and reside

Sarah Wells looks at the pathways and matters for high-net-worth individuals to consider when seeking residence in New Zealand

Member Q&A - Michael Dew TEP

Michael Dew has been involved with STEP for more than 30 years, having recently stepped down as Chair of the Essay Route Panel after 13 years in the position. We asked Michael about some of the highlights and challenges during this time.