Press release:

Specialist wealth preservation legal practice Lane-Smith & Shindler is urging those considering a move to Switzerland for tax reasons to make arrangements with Swiss authorities promptly as major changes loom.

The practice, which has an associated office in Zurich, understands that the proposed new changes to the Swiss Lump Sum tax will end up costing new residents in some Cantons between 50-100% more.  Returning Swiss nationals, who had qualified after ten years outside Switzerland, will not be able to do so under the new arrangements.

The changes include a higher rate of calculation for the tax and doubling the minimum income to qualify to CHF 400,000.  Additionally the proposals call for Cantons to be obliged to levy income and wealth taxes to a minimum level.

The Swiss Lump Sum tax, known as (Pauschalreglung in German and Imposition Forfaitaire in French) allows those seeking Swiss residence for the first time to pay a relatively generous single lump sum instead of taxing worldwide assets and income.

The arrangement is only open to those who agree not take any gainful employment or maintain businesses under which they receive income in Switzerland.

Tim Urquhart of the Swiss office associated with Lane-Smith & Shindler said: “The changes are at proposal stage.  No one can say with absolute accuracy when the changes will be introduced, but it could be as early as summer 2011.  It might seem a long-time away but in order to take advantage of the 5 year period of transition allowed between the old and the proposed new provisions but it is imperative to start negotiations with the authorities sooner rather than later.”

At the end of the transition period of 5 years, all existing lump-sum arrangements (under the more generous structure) will be brought up to the new standards.

Paul Davies a partner at Lane-Smith and Shindler adds: “Switzerland is an attractive tax option for wealthy individuals and will remain so despite the changes.  Even though those wishing to take advantage of this generous tax scheme should do so quickly, what is even more important is to select the right Canton to reside in and pay tax.”

“The differences in tax regimes between the 26 Cantons can be surprisingly marked to say the least, with some not levying wealth or capital gains taxes.”

Press release:

THE newly appointed head of family law at  Howards Solicitors, Neil Grunfeld, has achieved accredited status with Resolution, the specialist family law organisation.

Grunfeld, who recently took up his role at Manchester based legal practice Howards, will use the accreditation to push the firm’s family law department credentials as private client rather than Legal Aid providers.

Resolution specialists must pass rigorous assessments to demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge and practical application of family law best practice.  The organisation works for a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters, and campaigns for improvements to the family justice system.

Howards will continue to deliver Legal Aid funded cases for specialisms such as motoring and criminal law, for which it holds a coveted Criminal Legal Aid Contract.

Grunfeld comments: “The combination of Legal Aid proposals for family law and the determination to deliver high quality service has meant that we had to seriously reconsider our position.”

Oliver Gardner managing partner at Howards Solicitors comments: “Family law is highly competitive, but Neil’s achievement in passing Resolution’s rigorous and selective tests will mark him out as possessing an extra dimension of expertise.  It will give his department and the practice a competitive advantage.”

“Neil’s association with Resolution reflects our firm’s outlook in providing services by highly skilled professionals with a personal interest in the well–being of our clients.”

Press release:

GEOFFREY SHINDLER’S long-time commitment to the arts has been recognised with a nomination for The Midland Hotel Arts & Business North’s Board Member of the Year.

The founding partner of specialist trusts, wills and probate Manchester legal practice Lane-Smith & Shindler has been a keen supporter for the past 18 years of The Royal Exchange Theatre and Manchester Camerata.  Manchester born Geoffrey is serving as a director at the Royal Exchange and chairman of the board at the Camerata.

The awards, which have successfully been running for over 30 years, includes The Co-Operative Group, Brother Ltd and Manchester Airport competing across the categories.

Geoffrey’s family has long been involved in the arts with daughter Nicola Shindler, a TV executive, producing Our Friends In The North and Queer as Folk.  Brother Colin, a writer, is well known to football fans with his popular book Manchester United Ruined My Life.

http://artsandbusiness.org.uk/Events/Awards.aspx

Press release:

HOWARDS Solicitors is continuing its expansion with two senior appointments in light of increased criminal and family law work.

Neil Grunfeld, who joins from Nicholas & Partners, will head up the family law department at the firm’s new offices in Macclesfield.

Grunfeld will also lend his criminal legal expertise to a growing workload, particularly more complex Crown Court cases.

Peter Malone will head Howards’ Crown Court Advocacy Department based in the main Trafford Bar offices.  Peter, a Higher Court Advocate, joins from Robert Lizars.

Oliver Gardner managing partner at Howards comments: “The recent renewal for a coveted Criminal Legal Aid Contract and our handling of recent high profile cases has pushed demand even higher.  The new additions of Peter and Neil will enable the practice to grow at a considered pace that makes allowances for continuing demand.”

Howards Solicitors, which expanded its high street presence with three new North West offices in summer, also specialises in motoring law, fraud, personal injury and conveyancing.

Image: Peter Eatherall, founding partner, with Peter Malone (left) and Neil Grunfeld (right)

Comments for Bez (Mark Berry) appeal:

Peter Eatherall, criminal partner, Howards Solicitors: “Bez fully understands and accepts that his persona and actions can generate interest, sometimes substantial, in the media.  This has been a part of his life for a long-time and is nothing new or exceptional.

However, Bez would like to ensure that coverage of this particularly sensitive situation is as accurate and even-handed as possible.  And so he feels obliged to issue this statement to give his side of what is and has been an understandably difficult and emotional time.

Recent stories circulating in the press concerning his “disappearance” and a “manhunt” for him do not reflect the real picture.

Firstly, there were no proceedings pending at this time and so Bez was able to move about as he wanted – there was no “disappearance” or “manhunt.”

Howards Solicitors, acting on its client’s instructions, contacted the Police.  Bez had thought the Police might have wanted to speak to him and asked to arrange to hand himself in and resolve any issues as quickly as possible for all those concerned.  In retrospect we do not believe the Police were desperate to speak to Bez, but Bez wanted to be sure and the case officer was contacted through Howards and an appointment arranged.

Bez has co-operated fully with the police and has in no way deliberately evaded police attempts to talk to him.

The matter is naturally sensitive to Bez as he received the restraining order in relation to the allegations of assault, which he still vehemently denies.  He has never remotely been accused of being a violent man before this case.

It would be inappropriate to comment further on the allegations, at present, as enquiries are ongoing.

Bez’s priority remains his son, his well being and the continuance of their relationship – he is currently being denied access, which he feels is unfair and hinders a normal, strong fatherly relationship that he wants to build further.

Bez is still investigating avenues of appeal, as he fully believes that the evidence supports his viewpoint.  He is currently on police bail until 17^th November 2010.”

For further comment contact: Rob Baker

07957611834

rob@artisanmc.co.uk