Graeme Beattie Consultant Private Client Solicitor

Graeme Beattie is a UK private client solicitor with over 15 years of experience specialising in common law trust structuring, estate planning and cross-border private wealth matters. He advises high-net-worth individuals, families and international family office clients on the protection, succession and efficient structuring of private wealth, with a particular focus on UK-connected clients and international estates.

Graeme has extensive experience in implementing bespoke estate planning arrangements, making effective use of wills, trusts, family investment companies and lasting powers of attorney to support tax efficiency, compliance and long-term succession planning. He also advises on UK tax, residence and English trust matters for both domestic and international clients.

Lifetime planning for high-net-worth individuals is a particular area of interest, alongside the administration of complex cross-border estates. Graeme regularly works with a trusted international network of advisers and is able to support clients in both English and French.

Areas of expertise include

• Wills and estate planning
• Trusts and trust structuring
• Probate and estate administration
• UK tax and succession planning
• Cross-border estates and international private wealth matters
• Lasting powers of attorney
• Family investment companies

Graeme studied Law with French at the University of Sheffield and Civil Law at Université Nancy II. He completed the Diploma in Legal Practice at the College of Law in Chester, followed by the Professional Skills Course for trainee solicitors at the University of Law in Bristol. He is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and has held registered Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) status since 2012, having completed both the Diploma in International Trust Management and the Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates.

Approach to work and clients

He is known for his personable, professional and efficient approach, with a strong focus on building trusted relationships and providing tailored advice to meet each client’s individual circumstances. Graeme particularly values helping vulnerable clients plan confidently for the future and supporting the long-term preservation of family wealth and legacy.

Career highlights

His notable experience includes preparing a bespoke written opinion for an Asian family office regarding the UK tax classification of a complex overseas collective investment structure, advising the legal representatives of an ultra-high-net-worth non-UK resident on Court of Protection compliance relating to UK assets, and managing an Anglo-French cross-border estate administration involving coordination between English probate proceedings and French succession law requirements under Brussels IV.

Outside of his legal practice, Graeme enjoys sailing and golf when family life with his young children allows.