Jonathan Shankland
Partner
- Phone:
- +44 (0)20 7227 7414
- Email:
- jonathan.shankland@weightmans.com
- Office:
- London
Formerly of RadcliffesLeBrasseur, Jonathan heads the International Private Wealth offering at Weightmans and leads our international desk for Dubai and the UAE.
Jonathan is a trust, tax and estates lawyer and deals with all aspects of personal estates, wills and tax planning for UK-based and international clients. Jonathan specialises in offering international private wealth advice.
Jonathan is ranked as a Leading Lawyer in both Chambers and Legal 500. He also features in CityWealth’s Leaders List and its 2021 list of Top 100 Private Client Lawyers and Jonathan is also ranked in the Spears 500 directory. Jonathan was also recommended in The Spear’s 500 for 2024.
Jonathan has a wide and complex client base dealing with high-net-worth private clients with international tax and planning considerations, corporate and trust structuring both onshore and offshore, as well as traditional pragmatic succession planning, tax planning and large multi-jurisdictional probate matters.
Jonathan prides himself in the personal service that he provides and counts amongst his client base royalty, leading business figures and prominent families.
Experience
- International tax and estate planning
- International succession planning
- Personal and trust tax planning
- Complex Will planning
- Offshore tax planning
- Swiss/UK/Worldwide tax co-op agreements
- Double tax treaties
- Worldwide disclosure facility
- Trust
- Business affairs
- Corporate estate planning
- High net worth tax planning, Wills and probate
- Mental capacity issues and elderly client matters
- Cross-border estate and tax planning
- International tax disputes
- Residence and domicile planning and tax matters
- HMRC tax investigations: domicile, residency and voluntary disclosure
- Estate administration and probate
- Annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED)
- Non-resident CGT
- HMRC anti-avoidance provisions/attribution rules etc.
- Offshore estate planning structures
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Jon exhibits extensive knowledge of cross-border tax matters and the implications for the estate and beneficiaries.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Jon is a strong communicator and an effective client adviser, particularly in complex and sensitive situations. He demonstrates a collaborative approach to client work and is keen to involve the appropriate professionals when required, ensuring that advice is well-rounded and aligned with the client’s wider objectives.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Jon manages to explain complex decisions in layman’s terms. He’s very down to earth.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
We have had the privilege to collaborate with Mr. Jon Shankland and Mr. Patrick Malone from the firm. They had solid knowledge of international matters and tax issues, giving them the ability to provide creative and effective strategies for clients.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Jonathan Shankland has a busy practice advising clients on estates, family offices, tax and trusts. Shankland is particularly adept at handling complex and high-stakes matters.Strengths Jon is a strong communicator and an effective client adviser, particularly in complex and sensitive situations. He demonstrates a collaborative approach to client work and is keen to involve the appropriate professionals when required, ensuring that advice is well-rounded and aligned with the client’s wider objectives. Jon is first and foremost a superb technical lawyer with vast experience in his field. There are very few better private wealth lawyers in the UK. Jon manages to explain complex decisions in layman’s terms. He’s very down to earth. Jon exhibits extensive knowledge of cross-border tax matters and the implications for the estate and beneficiaries. Jonathan Shankland is a leader in the private client space in the UK. He is the most knowledgeable private client lawyer I know and he is very responsive, charismatic and pragmatic.
Chambers HNW 2026 -
Jon's visionary leadership and profound legal acumen are the cornerstones of the firm's success. His strategic thinking, client-centric approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence inspire the entire team. He is a highly sought-after advisor.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jonathan Shankland is a standout individual in the area of international private wealth advice. Always very impressive.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jon Shankland and Joshua Ryan have continued to provide a helpful, responsive and commercial approach to the work they have done for me. They have strong communication and practice management skills and have a practical approach to problem-solving.
Legal 500, 2026 -
I mostly deal with Jonathan Shankland and I believe he is one of the leaders in the field of personal tax, estate planning etc. I am happy to take his advice. I enjoy his enthusiasm.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jon's visionary leadership and profound legal acumen are the cornerstones of the firm's success. His strategic thinking, client-centric approach, and unwavering commitment to excellence inspire the entire team. He is a highly sought-after advisor
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jonathan Shankland is a standout individual in the area of international private wealth advice. Always very impressive.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jon Shankland and Joshua Ryan have continued to provide a helpful, responsive and commercial approach to the work they have done for me. They have strong communication and practice management skills and have a practical approach to problem-solving
Legal 500, 2026 -
I mostly deal with Jonathan Shankland and I believe he is one of the leaders in the field of personal tax, estate planning etc. I am happy to take his advice. I enjoy his enthusiasm.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Jonathan Shankland is an exceptional lawyer. He is extremely attentive to his clients and has a first-class, gifted mind.
Chambers and Partners, 2026 -
Jonathan Shankland is a thought leader and savvy negotiator who maximises my outcomes every time
Chambers and Partners, 2026 -
Jonathan Shankland is probably the best in class private client attorney I've worked with in my career. The breadth and depth of his knowledge knows no bounds. He has managed to scale his practice without losing any of the personal touch that I require.
Legal 500 2025 -
Jon is able to deal with highly complex cross-border tax issues with ease and builds a strong relationship with the clients immediately.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Jonathan is simply best-in-class for breadth and depth of expertise, but what differentiates Jon is his game-changing strategic mindset. He knows how to drive the best result in all cases.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Technically excellent individually, a real go to source of knowledge and my first port of call when working with UHNWIs. Also, Jon has built an excellent team culture which clients can pick up on and love when dealing with Weightmans.
Legal 500 2025 -
Jonathan Shankland provides very strong all-round service while being commercial and pragmatic in his approach.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Jonathan Shankland is very proactive, solution-driven and adapts quickly to the needs of the clients.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Jonathan Shankland is simply outstanding - extremely knowledgeable, commercially aware and unbelievably responsive.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Jonathan Shankland's judgement and ability to make connections with clients accounts for his huge following. He is not phased by clients, their idiosyncrasies, demands or their wealth. He goes above what is required to find solutions.
Legal 500 2025 -
Standout performer; diverse and interesting client base; excellent profile in the market; interesting speaker on the conference circuit. Inspires confidence beyond his years. Very down to earth and approachable too.
Legal 500 2025 -
Jon Shankland runs his team like a family office, he is dedicated and works extremely hard. The level of service is second to none and there is always somebody on hand to support me and my client.
Legal 500 2024 -
Jon Shankland is the lawyer that I have used on a number of occasions to refer high and ultra-high net worth clients. He is a top-level operator, dealing with the most difficult matters himself and passing other matters through his team.
Legal 500 2024 -
Jonathan is a very strong and talented practitioner; easy to work with, client-oriented and reliable.
Chambers and partners 2024 -
I have to call out Jonathan Shankland. He is totally on top of his game. He is knowledgeable, competent and literally sets the benchmark for responsiveness. He seems to be available 24/7 and will always reply within an hour at least. He is a very personable lawyer and has great understanding of client needs. Certainly one in a million.
Legal 500 2023 -
Jonathan is simply best-in-class for breadth and depth of expertise, but what differentiates Jon is his game-changing strategic mindset. He knows how to drive the best result in all cases.
Chambers 2024 -
Jonathan Shankland is simply outstanding- extremely knowledgeable, commercially aware and unbelievable responsive.
Chambers 2024 -
Jonathan Shankland delivers excellent client service; I rate his knowledge and strategic vision.
Private Wealth Law respondent, Chambers High Net Worth -
Jonathan Shankland is a thought leader and savvy negotiator who maximises my outcomes every time
Private Wealth Law respondent, Chambers High Net Worth -
Jonathan Shankland is an exceptional lawyer. He is extremely attentive to his clients and has a first-class, gifted mind.
Private Wealth Law respondent, Chambers High Net Worth
