Matthew Shayle

Matt is a private wealth lawyer whose practice covers a wide range of work for high net worth private clients and their interests. He brings his experience and expertise to a broad range of matters and is widely respected for his innovative work in structuring for tax, succession, regulatory and conflict reasons. He is recognised as leading tax advisor to high and ultra-high net worth international individuals and families.

Matt advises on the creation and administration of companies, trusts, foundations, partnerships and other vehicles and arrangements, most frequently for internationally-mobile individuals and families and their interests. Alongside individuals and families, his clients include UK and non-UK listed companies, private companies, trustees, sports club entities and franchises and their owners.

Matt is recognised as a leading advisor to families having US and UK cross-border interests, and has a reputation as a leading advisor for the Next Generation / NextGen of wealth holders.

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 under the former 'non-dom' UK tax regime, and recent arrivers to the UK under the new 'foreign income and gains' and 'long-term resident' regimes. He creates succession-focused structures for international clients and works with families on their governance.

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.