Rory Carter to speak on Digital Assets for The Law Society

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Contentious Trusts and Estates Senior Associate, Rory Carter, has been invited to speak in The Law Society’s webinar ‘Back to basics on Digital Assets’.

The session will be split into three key areas:

  1. Digital assets: what are the solicitor’s responsibilities? What do solicitors need to advise clients / executors? Our speakers will also discuss the risks associated with holding digital assets for executors and the valuation of assets when reporting to probate.
  2. Crypto as a property asset: what to do if there is a potential hacking and making sure you get the crypto from the client to the executors when a person has died.
  3. Law Commission’s report: recommendations for reform and development of the law relating to digital assets and next steps.

Rory will be joining fellow speakers, Elizabeth Gibbison of Irwin Mitchell LLP, Stephen Moses of Zenplans, Leigh Sagar of New Square Chambers and Akber Datoo of D2 Legal Technology.

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James Brockhurst named Top Recommended in Spear’s Cryptocurrency Index 2023

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Private Client Partner and Digital Assets specialist, James Brockhurst, has been listed as a Top Recommended advisor in the Spear’s Cryptocurrency Index 2023.

Recognising only the best cryptocurrency advisors for high net worth individuals, James has been listed for his extensive ability to advise his clients on the complexities of cryptocurrency by supporting them to harness the opportunities but also to navigate the risks.

He is one of just ten individuals to be named in the Cryptocurrency Index 2023.

In 2023, James authored the book ‘Cryptoassets for Private Clients‘ (published LexisNexis Butterworths, 2023). He advises a range of crypto clients, from early adopters to token issuers, and is recognised for being one of the first lawyers to develop expertise in this area of law.

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After FTX: What’s next for digital assets? Highlights from James Brockhurst’s panel session at Spear’s 500 Live

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, was invited to join an expert panel session on digital assets at the Spear’s 500 Live Conference 2023.

In the session ‘After FTX: What’s next for digital assets?’, James joined Anatoly Crachilov, CEO and founding partner of Nickel Digital Asset Management; Richard Shade, COO of Archax and Chris Cox, VP of GSR Capital, to discuss how high net worths and family offices should approach these assets in 2023 and beyond.

The panel highlighted that where digital assets are concerned, there is much to learn. James confirmed that there is catching up to do from a legal perspective, with many firms still “grappling with the nature of blockchain”.

In the session James explained how he advises clients on their digital assets. When advising clients with assets over a certain threshold, a trust or foundation are the most frequently used solutions, however, this is not always an option for digital assets with many trusts weary to take on these assets and the associated counterparty risk.

He also reminded the audience that the clients themselves can also present a challenge; “A lot of the early adopters of digital assets are hostile to the idea of having a trustee: ‘Why should I hand over my assets to you?’ To that I would say, there are solutions – you can structure things through a foundation or a private trust company where you can sit on the board, so you do have that level of control.”

You can watch the full panel session here.

James is recognised for being one of the first lawyers to develop an expertise in cryptoassets and is the author of ‘Cryptoassets for Private Clients: A Practitioner’s Guide’, a book aimed at legal practitioners in the UK and other common law jurisdictions and covers the issues of cryptoassets and blockchain technology.

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Spears 500 Live: James Brockhurst to speak on digital assets

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, has been invited to speak on digital assets at the Spears 500 Live 2023 conference.

James will join Simon Barnby, CMO of Archax, in a session entitled ‘After FTX: What’s next for digital assets?’. The session will see James and Simon discuss the FTX scandal and what opportunities remain for those operating in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.

Spear’s 500 Live brings together leading private client professionals – from wealth management and private banking to philanthropy, luxury, law, property and beyond – to share insight, strengthen networks and hone their understanding of the forces that shape the lives of ultra high net worth clients.

The conference will take place on 28 June at 9am, with James’ session taking place at 11:45am.

The full conference agenda and registration form can be found here

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James Brockhurst

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James Brockhurst publication ‘Cryptoassets for Private Clients: A Practitioner’s Guide’ named Book of the Month at Wildy & Sons

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Private Wealth Partner, James Brockhurst, has published his book entitled ‘Cryptoassets for Private Clients: A Practitioner’s Guide’. Butterworths are the publisher.

This practical and authoritative text is aimed at legal practitioners in the UK and other common law jurisdictions and covers the issues of cryptoassets and blockchain technology.

James has channelled his years of practice in cryptoassets and both UK and international trusts and tax into the guide which includes, over the course of ten detailed chapters:

  • A primer on cryptoassets and blockchain technology
  • In-depth coverage of the primary structures and forms of cryptoassets and their legal status
  • Practical chapters on smart contracts, Non-Fungible Tokens and Decentralised Finance
  • Insights on the practice of cryptoassets as they relate to trusts, estate planning, probate, and wills
  • Analysis of complex legal issues around cryptoassets, including tax considerations and private client regulation

The book also includes contributions from Alex Tamosius, Rory Carter and Zahava Rosenthal. The forward is by the Rt Hon Lord Neuberger, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Cryptoassets for Private Clients: A Practitioner’s Guide is currently listed as ‘Book of the Month’ on Wildy & Sons Ltd and can be ordered here.

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Decrypting Crypto: James Brockhurst to speak at the International Trust and Private Client Conference Jersey 2022

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, has been invited to speak at the International Trust and Private Client Conference Jersey 2022.

The conference, taking place on 9 June 2022, provides sessions tailored to tackle the estate and tax planning issues facing the Channel Islands, with a particular focus on new challenges including political uncertainty, digital disruption and regulatory restraints.

James will present the session ‘Decrypting Crypto for the Private Client’ at 16:30, alongside Jonathan Colclough of BDB Pitmans and Gilead Cooper QC of Wilberforce Chambers.

You can register to attend here.

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Crypto And Trusts: The Tortoises In The Race – James Brockhurst writes for IFC Review

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, has authored on article for IFC Review entitled ‘Crypto And Trusts: The Tortoises In The Race’.

Blockchain technology has opened up huge entrepreneurial opportunities that a great number of industries have been quick to exploit. The trust industry, on the other hand, is naturally (and with good reason) circumspect about all things blockchain. But perceptions within the industry are rapidly changing.

As such, trustees are therefore now grappling, in some cases urgently, with the challenges of holding cryptoassets in trust. In his article, James highlights the core issues that trustees are facing:

  • Indirect (Fund) Investment
  • Custody Of Cryptoassets
  • Investment Considerations
  • Compliance.

The full article can be read here.

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Crypto in Disputes: James Brockhurst to present at the ThoughtLeaders4 Conference

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, has been invited to speak at the ThoughtLeaders4 Conference ‘Crypto in Disputes’ in London.

Crypto is increasingly prevalent in many areas of law and the resulting disputes involving Crypto are unique.

The conference, taking place on 29 June 2022, will join together industry experts to address the areas of disputes where Crypto is involved, including:

  • NFT Disputes
  • Investing in Crypto Companies
  • ADR
  • International Regulation
  • Asset Recovery
  • Trusts
  • Divorce
  • Private Client matters.

Forsters’ Crypto law specialist, James, will present the session ‘Trusts, Divorce & Private Client’ alongside Natasha Stourton and Natasha Oakshett of Withers and Andrzej Bojarski of The 36 Group. The session will cover inheritance, beneficial ownership, tax and divorce.

You can register to attend here.

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Decrypting Crypto for the Private Client: James Brockhurst to present at the Dubai Informa Connect Conference

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Private Client Partner, James Brockhurst, has been invited to present a session at the Informa Connect Conference ‘Cross Border Planning: The Next Generation’ in Dubai.

The conference programme focusses on unpacking the key issues facing internationally mobile private clients. International practitioners will discuss a vast range of matters around immigration, structuring, litigation, family governance and investment management.

James will join Emma Heelis-Adams of Burges Salmon on Thursday 12 May at 14:00 GST to present the session entitled ‘Decrypting Crypto for the Private Client’. Amongst other things, James will talk about the most topical crypto work we are undertaking for clients.

You can register to attend here.

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