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Ian Watson

e-mail iwatson@3sb.law.co.uk

Prior to coming to the Bar of England & Wales in 2005, Ian practised in New York at a leading US firm with an international private client practice and in 1997 joined another leading US firm in London, practising as a New York attorney. For several years before transferring to the Bar he was also a solicitor and a partner in a leading international private client firm of solicitors and US attorneys.

  • Practice

    England and Wales Practice

    Ian Watson has practised in London since 1997 primarily in the area of trusts, wills and estates and related US and UK taxation, especially in a cross-border context (primarily but not exclusively between the US and the UK).

    In addition to undertaking traditional domestic Chancery advice and advocacy in trusts, wills, estates and property, he specialises in personal and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals, families, fiduciaries and financial institutions in the US, the UK and internationally and advises on integrated US/UK estate planning.  His practice extends to advising on cross-border tax, reporting and compliance issues with respect to trusts outside the UK or US with beneficiaries or income subject to tax in those jurisdictions.

    New York Practice

    He maintains an active advisory practice covering New York law in trusts, estates and related private client areas and can often give a general indication with respect to the law in these areas of other US states and make referrals as necessary for more complex advice.

    American clients in particular may appreciate a brief explanation of the difference between barristers and solicitors.

  • Public Access

    Ian is authorised under the Public Access rules to accept instructions from lay clients directly, rather than being instructed by a solicitor, accountant, foreign lawyer other professional advisor.  This is most likely to be appropriate for individuals needing "private client" advice or drafting with respect to wills, trusts, tax or estate planning and who do not already have a professional advisor involved, though this will depend on individual circumstances.  Please feel free to contact him through his clerks to discuss whether Public Access is appropriate or for a referral to a solicitor or other advisor if necessary.  For more information on Public Access visit the Bar Council website here. 

  • Professional membership

    • Chancery Bar Association
    • STEP (Cross-Border Estates Group committee member)
    • Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

  • Education and career

    Ian Watson read Classics (Honours) and Comparative Literature at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island before taking his JD at Columbia University School of Law in New York in 1992.

    Ian practised as a New York private client attorney at White & Case (New York) and Bryan Cave (London), and also as a solicitor at Withers LLP (London), prior to coming to the Bar.

  • Seminars and lectures

    Ian lectures on all aspects of his practice both in Chambers and at venues around England and Wales (including his solicitors’ offices). Recent talks include: