July 2026
Meeting with Singapore's Public Guardian in Edinburgh
On 3 July 2026, I had the pleasure of meeting Singapore’s Public Guardian, Rahayu Buang, during her visit to Edinburgh. Ms Buang was in Scotland to meet with Scotland’s Public Guardian, and her visit also provided an opportunity to discuss how incapacity law operates in practice in the two jurisdictions.
I joined Brodies partner Fiona McLeod in meeting Ms Buang and her colleagues, Dilys Tan and Jolene Kong, in Edinburgh. Our discussion focused principally on the respective approaches taken in Scotland and Singapore to guardianship and powers of attorney.
Although the two jurisdictions have distinct legal frameworks, many of the underlying issues are shared: how best to protect the interests of adults who may lack capacity, the role and responsibilities of attorneys and guardians, and the balance between appropriate safeguards and practical decision-making.
It was particularly interesting to compare how these issues are approached in the two legal systems and to discuss some of the practical considerations that arise in each jurisdiction.
May 2026
Personal Finance Society CPD event, Glasgow
On 27 May 2026, I contributed to a Personal Finance Society CPD event hosted at Brodies LLP, focused on protecting loved ones and business interests.
The session brought together speakers from Royal London, Legal & General, Vitality and Brodies LLP to consider protection planning from a range of professional perspectives.
My contribution covered some of the main estate planning considerations from a legal perspective, including the importance of having appropriate wills and powers of attorney in place, as well as key points to consider when using trusts and the associated tax consequences.
It was a useful opportunity to discuss how legal planning sits alongside wider protection advice, particularly where advisers are helping individuals, families and business owners think through practical steps to protect those who depend on them.
May 2026
Law Society of Scotland CPD webinar
On 27 May 2026, I co-delivered a webinar through the Law Society of Scotland’s CPD programme on ‘The Finance Act 2025: The Impact on Taxation and Succession Planning’.
The session considered the effect of the Finance Act 2025 on individuals with international connections.
The webinar looked at areas where long-standing assumptions may need to be revisited, including how the new tax position can affect wills, estate administration and families living across borders.
The session provided a useful opportunity to consider how tax changes and succession planning interact in practice, particularly for families and advisers dealing with international asset-holding structures or cross-border estate planning issues.
April 2026
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Glasg
On 21 April 2026, I co-delivered a Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Glasgow Discussion Group on trust compliance alongside Kirsten Leckie of Gillespie MacAndrew.
The session considered a number of core compliance matters relevant to those acting for or advising trusts, including the UK’s Trust Registration Service and the Automatic Exchange of Information regime.
Trust compliance continues to be an increasingly technical and important area for trustees and their advisers. The discussion provided an opportunity to look at some of the practical issues that arise across the private wealth sector.
March 2026
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
On 12 March 2026, I co-delivered an Edinburgh Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group session on trust compliance.
The discussion looked at a range of current compliance matters affecting trusts and those who advise them, including the UK’s Trust Registration Service, Automatic Exchange of Information, the Register of Controlling Interests in Land, landlord-related requirements and the forthcoming Law Society trust register requirements.
The session was aimed at professionals working with trusts across the private wealth sector, including legal professionals, accountants and financial advisers. It provided a useful opportunity to consider how these different compliance obligations interact in practice and the issues they can raise for trustees and advisers.
Additional Pictures
Law Society of Scotland CPD webinar
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
May 2026
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Discussion Group, Edinburgh
March 2026