Joshua Ryan

Joshua is formerly of RadcliffesLeBrasseur and joined Weightmans as a part of their merger.

Joshua’s clients include individuals, families, trustees, family businesses, and fiduciaries on all aspects of UK and international private client matters. Joshua advises clients around the world, but he has a particular focus on clients with US and/or Western European connected clients (particularly in France, where he studied law at university). He also acts for a number of UK-based clients.

1. Joshua advises on wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts, foundations (and other offshore structures), succession and tax planning strategies, business succession and exit strategies, family vehicles and investment companies, and strategies to own UK real estate. Joshua is qualified as a Wills Draftsman in Dubai, and he can assist with the preparation and registration of DIFC compliant wills.
2. Joshua advises internationally minded clients on their tax residency and domicile positions, tax strategies and structuring options for individuals and families relocating to or from the UK, and on tax obligations under double tax treaties. A part of this works sees Joshua advising owners of businesses on structuring options for their businesses too. This is often in coordination with advisors in multiple jurisdictions.
3. Joshua also acts for a number of UK-based clients on their tax and estate planning, and he administers a number of UK trusts for clients, ensuring that all tax, legal, and compliance aspects are dealt with.
4. Joshua also advises on the administration of estates of varying sizes and complexities. These can include advising on failed gifts, exposure to UK taxes (for non-domiciliaries), coordination between administrations in multiple jurisdictions, administration of business assets, contested estates, applicability of law (and conflict of law points), and exposure to tax under double tax treaties.

Experience

Joshua is experienced in:

• Providing tax and estate plans to US connected individuals: This includes advising on existing estate planning documents to ensure relevance. Often, this includes reviewing trusts established in the US, providing an analysis of the trust, and confirming the trust’s exposure to UK taxes (following an analysis). Equally, Joshua advises on US LLCs and the potential tax implications for UK resident owners. It also involves advising on exposure to US and UK tax under the double tax treaty, and structuring options for the ownership of assets to minimise global taxes. Finally, it includes preparing US/UK wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts (both onshore and offshore), and dealing with the administration of estates.
• Providing tax and estate planning advice to European connected clients: This includes advising on estate planning and the efficacy of incorporating the European Succession Regulation with the plan. This frequently involves the analysis of succession under local laws, and whether it would be possible to override forced heirship provisions. It also extends to structuring options for clients looking to acquire European assets and options for Europeans looking to acquire UK assets. Frequently, Joshua advises on UK tax implications for owners of European assets, who hold the assets under a European structure such as an usufruct (and he advises nus propriétaires and usufruitiers), SCI, corporate structure, foundation, anstalt, Stiftung, and other structures. Equally, Joshua advises on tax and reporting obligations under various European double tax treaties.
• Pre-immigration / emigration tax planning strategies: Joshua advises on structuring options for those looking to come to the UK, emigrate from the UK, or acquire assets in the UK. This includes potential restructuring of investments, businesses, and other entities, and also advising on the remittance basis of taxation and dealing with requests for disclosure from HMRC.
• Coordination of administration of estates with assets in multiple jurisdictions.
• Administering trusts: Acting on behalf of onshore trustees which includes an established group of interlinked family trusts, charitable trusts, and will trusts. This includes advising the trustees on their legal and fiduciary obligations, trust restructuring, tax implications and consequences; submitting and advising on reporting declarations (to HMRC and under FATCA/CRS); preparing trust deeds; and dealing with other issues as they arise.
• Advising on all aspects of offshore trusts: Acting on behalf of offshore trustees in relation to the UK tax exposure and compliance obligations in relation to a decision reached, efficacy of structures, and restructuring options. 

Membership and recognition

Joshua is a full member of STEP, the International Bar Association (private client and tax division), the Franco British Lawyers Society, and the Society of English American lawyers.

Joshua has been recognised in the Legal 500, 2004 as a Rising Star and ‘a force to be reckoned with, he is a fluent French speaker which has been beyond helpful in a number of UK/France matters. Josh is not only an excellent lawyer but a really well connected individual who is already making waves. Josh is a super star for the future’.

Joshua was ranked as a Top 35 under 35 by ePrivateClient in 2022, and a Next Generation Leader in 2023.

He was shortlisted for Young Practitioner of the Year by STEP in 2022, and also part of the team shortlisted for Private Client Legal Team of the Year (large firm) in 2023.

Publications

Joshua is published in a number of leading authorities including Lexology, ePrivateClient, STEP and Taxation on subjects including:

• cryptocurrency, and ownership issues;
• tax obligations arising from ownership of cryptocurrency;
• Middle Eastern tax and estate planning; and
• structuring options for modern families including LGBT+ couples and throuples.

He has also been asked to speak on topics including tax and structuring options for modern families and US/UK estate planning.