Our People

Matthew Shayle

“Matthew is just very knowledgeable and responsive. He's becoming one of the UK's leading lawyers in private client work.”

Chambers & Partners 2024

Matthew Shayle

Partner

Matt is a private wealth lawyer whose practice covers a wide range of work for high net worth private clients. He has particular expertise in the areas of trusts, foundations, succession and tax planning for internationally-mobile individuals and families and their structures. Matt is recognised as a leading advisor to families having US and UK cross-border interests. Matt has a reputation as a leading advisor for the Next Generation / NextGen of wealth holders, with experience in helping clients incorporating pro-ethical objectives and governance in wealth structures.

Matt advises companies, executives and high-level employees on incentives arrangements and tax implications, including in complex circumstances concerning internationally-mobile individuals.

Matt’s work includes advising non-UK domiciled individuals on UK taxes as well as creating succession-focussed structures for international clients.

Matt assists clients with HMRC tax enquiries and processes, and provides advice to UK and non-UK trustees and other trust parties on all areas of trust law and administration. He also advises on corporate and indirect taxes as they affect private wealth structures, and on compliance matters relevant to private clients and private wealth service providers.

Matt commonly works in conjunction with advisors in other jurisdictions to help internationally-mobile clients implement planning that works across all areas of their lives.

Matt worked for a number of years in Switzerland, for leading UK and Swiss law firms, and has an extensive practice dealing with UK/Swiss cross-border private wealth matters.

Career

Matt re-joined Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove as a Partner in 2018, having previously worked at Wiggin LLP and then Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove from 2005 to 2011.

From 2011 to 2014, Matt was part of the international private client team of Lenz & Staehelin, based in that firm’s Geneva office.

Matt also worked in the international private client teams of UK firms Charles Russell (and then Charles Russell Speechlys) and Burges Salmon, between 2014 and 2018.

Professional Memberships / Awards

  • Ranked as a Leading Partner for tax and trusts in Legal 500 (2020-2025)
  • Ranked as a Leading Lawyer for high net worth clients by Chambers & Partners (2020-2024)
  • Shortlisted for Citywealth's “Lawyer of the Year - Partner 2019" award
  • STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners)
  • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Advanced Certificate in UK Tax for International Clients
  • International Tax Planning Association (ITPA)
  • International Bar Association (IBA)

Education

  • 2000 – 2003 BA (Hons) History, Swansea University
  • 2004 – 2005 Graduate Diploma in Law, College of Law (London)
  • 2005 – 2006 Legal Practice Course, Bristol Institute of Legal Practice

    Personal Interests

    Matt has a wide range of interests; in particular, sports, music and anything that gets him outdoors with his young family. He is a trustee of the National Star College, an educational registered charity based in Cheltenham.