Portugal relaxes HNWI tax break rules

International Adviser: Portugal’s tax authority has relaxed rules which provide tax breaks to high net worth expatriates living in the country, in the hope of attracting increased foreign investment.

Full story: http://www.international-adviser.com/news/tax---regulation/portugal-relaxes-hnwi-tax-break-rules

Cripps partner appointed as chairman of the Law Society Private Client Section

Cripps Harris Hall: Simon is a partner in Cripps' Wealth Preservation Group, where he specialises in complex wills, trusts, personal tax and probate work.

Full story: http://www.crippslaw.com/news/289/cripps-harries-hall-partner-appointed-as-chairman-of-the-law-society-private-client-section-

HMRC criticised over treatment of blameless taxpayer

STEP Journal: A senior member of the accountancy profession has drawn attention to the case of Preece v Revenue & Customs, in which HMRC sent a taxpayer a paper self-assessment form for the wrong tax year and fined him for not completing the right one.

Full story: http://www.stepjournal.org/news/news/secondary_news/hmrc_criticised_over_persecuti.aspx?link=journalTitle

Sir Elton John sues The Times over tax allegations

Accountancy Age: Pop star Elton John has filed a lawsuit against The Times newspaper over articles which he claims falsely link him with aggressive tax avoidance. Two articles, appearing in the paper under the banner "the secrets of tax avoiders", said Patrick McKenna of Ingenious Media was John's former accountant, reports the BBC.

Full story: http://www.accountancyage.com/aa/news/2197632/sir-elton-john-sues-the-times-over-tax-allegations

STEP launches specialist mediation certificate

Private Client Adviser: The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has introduced a specialist mediation certificate, designed for all trust and estate practitioners who want to further their understanding of the mediation process and build their reputation as ‘trusted advisers’.

Full story: http://www.privateclientadviser.co.uk/news/legal-practice/step-launches-specialist-mediation-certificate

Private client heavyweight joins Speechlys

Speechly Bircham: Speechly Bircham has added to its significant Private Wealth capability with the appointment of heavyweight private client lawyer James Trafford as a Partner. James is recognised by Chambers UK 2012 as a “widely respected expert in offshore and international tax and trusts planning” and until recently led the private client team at Wilsons in Salisbury.  He is moving to become a core part of the Speechlys’ renowned private client team, which already has 17 partners and is ranked as one of the top seven private client practices in the world by the Chambers Global legal directory.

Full story: http://www.speechlys.com/news/private-client-heavyweight-joins-speechlys