The public access scheme:
Briefly, the public access scheme means that members of the public can now instruct some barristers, for example, Alana, to undertake civil and commercial work (e.g. drafting documents for court, company documentation, Wills, trusts and provide tax planning advice) usually for a fixed fee.
The Professional access scheme:
Alana also advises under the professional access scheme whereby members of the professions, such as accountants, financial advisors and insurance companies can come to her directly for advice.
Publications:
Alana has written chapters for Tolleys Tax Digest on:
'The Tax consequences of investing in Cryptoassets'
'Family Investment Companies'
'The tax consequences of trading overseas'
and for The Gazette on 'Double Taxation Treaties'
Before returning to practice at the Bar Alana worked with firms of accountants and solicitors. She advises clients both under the public access and professional access schemes.
Areas of Practice
Alana advises clients on:
- Tax effective schemes: Drafting relevant documentation to put the desired scheme in place.
- Wills & Trusts: Obtaining Probate, the administration of estates, Court of Protection matters, and advising Elderly Clients on tax planning and on the protection of assets for long term care; preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney; succession matters; on the interpretation of Will and trust clauses, and the role and responsibilities of trustees.
- Companies: On starting a business and the choice of mediums to set this up for example, as a partnership or a company. and the tax consequences; drafting the company documentation and employee contracts; advising on the purchase of company shares and the tax consequences; on the disincorporation of a company and the tax consequences; on Members voluntary liquidation; dissolution and shareholder liabilities; and on the winding up of companies.
- Disputes with the Revenue on: Employment status, allowable expenses and discovery assessments.
- General: The tax consequences of a separation and divorce; personal injury matters
FEES
You may initially contact me or my clerks for a brief preliminary discussion. This discussion will enable us to see whether your matter is work which we undertake. Following this discussion, if we decide we can undertake the work, we will request copies of all necessary papers. Upon receiving the papers, we can usually quote a fixed fee plus VAT for the matter. This fee is based on the type of case, the likely length of the court hearing and the work needed to be done in preparation.
We will endeavour to provide a quotation within 24 hours of receiving all the papers.
Please note that we will not send the work to you or appear in court on your behalf until you have paid our fees in full.
Additional costs: While we endeavour to complete an initial draft of the documents requested within 2 weeks, there may be times when this is not possible due to court or other commitments.
If you matter proceeds to litigation, there are many things which will impact such as the position adopted by your opponent and the availability of documents and evidence (including witnesses). Also, the court’s timetable will be a significant factor.
If any of the above circumstances will impact on your matter, we will contact you immediately.
We also suggest that you consider legal insurance. Please visit: https://www.legalchoices.org.uk/legal-choices/money-talks/after-the-event-insurance.