Technology!!

What a week!!

We circulated my Client Alert by e mail-horror of horrors it replicated itself-and has done so for the last 2 days-the Practice Manager has just told me that he thinks it's stopped.

Our contacts have been bombarded with batches of 950/1000/and more !!! We are now e mail persona non grata!!

Fantastic initiative that went a bit wrong-but the recipients won't forget us-and eventually in some cases they started to smile at our misfortune!

Hey ho...it's off to home I go-for a good strong drink!!!

The Magpie Pre Budget Report

Oh what a day!!

Comparing notes this afternoon it transpired that a colleague and I were both awake at 5am today thinking about IHT and CGT-how sad is that?

At a Tax Club Meeting first thing -8am not 5.30 am!!- we tax lawyers and accountants present decided there was still plenty of work for us-still plenty of "life in the old dog" ie advisory mileage in relation to IHT and CGT

I then walked in to the office to be met by the "doom and gloom" merchants in my department -pessimism is a necesssary trait for Wills Probate and Tax Lawyers (you know-the only 2 certainties in life ?..death and taxes). Equally I hate negativity!!

"No" I protested "there is still loads of mileage in Nil Rate Band Discretionary Will Trusts!"
I am massively upbeat about the new opportunities facing us Tax Planners-everyone thinks I'm "on" something and want to know what it was- the truth?-no not wacky baccy -just positive thinking-as one door closes etc etc...

So to convince everyone/put my money etc etc I have spent more or less the whole day poring over the HMRC bumph and writing and circulating an Alert.

Were the Parliamentary Draftsmen really burning the midnight oil writing the new Schedule to the Finance Bill covering transferability of the Nil Rate Band on the back of the Tory Conferance commitment to a nil rate band of £1000000 ?....and on the basis that the Government had to do SOMETHING?

I don't really think so-we had been warned by "them in the know" that Gordon had something in his arsenal before he left his previous life.

So tomorrow..another day another challenge!!

Old files are going to have to be dusted down-if they have been kept that is!!

Life don't get any easier!!

And there are still the Realignment of Trusts issues to sort before 6th April!!

Oh and CGT...

Real work to do now..files to read,letters to dictate..

PS: Client Alert on the Latimer Hinks website-any problems shout!

All About Me!

I have been asked by Smiths Gore to speak at a Farming Event in Harrogate on the 8th November.

It is titled - Farming: The Next Generation

It's a conference for farming families and business professionals with practical advice on how to prepare for the next generation in farming.

As a presenter it was requested that I produce a "brief" biography - this is it!

Me on Me

• Education: Leeds Univeristy - LLB (Hons) degree
• Trained in Leeds from 1973 - 1975
• Qualified and joined Latimer hinks in 1976
• Became Partner in 1978 and Marketing Partner in 1998
  

As a farmer’s daughter with two brothers (both of whom wanted to farm) and a sister it was clear to me from a very early age that the family farms were earmarked for the boys- I was going to have to “get on my bike”!

Directed by an incredibly forward thinking, well-educated headmistress at Richmond Convent I graduated in Law from Leeds University in 1973 and stayed in Leeds and trained and qualified as a solicitor in 1976. I joined Latimer Hinks that year as a newly qualified solicitor- female solicitors were extremely “thin on the ground”/something of a novelty- especially those with a special interest in agriculture. Thirty one years on I am still at 5-8 Priestgate, Darlington specialising in Agricultural Work, Wills, Trusts, and Tax Planning, responsible for a team of sixteen (growing year on year- the team that is!).

With a special interest in and some knowledge of the agricultural industry I have perhaps been able to provide “added value” in the context of advice provided to the agricultural community. I appreciate the special relationship as between the farmer and his land and enjoy the challenges presented in the context of farmers looking to plan for succession.

My specialisms are: Wills, Trusts, Tax Planning, Agriculture, Succession Planning, Pertnership Agreements...

Chambers on Me

The Chambers UK Guide is an annual publication ranking solicitors and barristers in over 60 specialist areas of law. Chambers have “Top Ranked” me.

2006— The “well known and respected” team acts for farmers on a full range of work, from major matrimonial matters to widespread diversification, including wind farm agreements. Clients reported that these lawyers are “on the ball” and praised their high levels of responsiveness. The firm continues to foster good land agent relationships, ensuring work on landlord and tenant issues. Anne Elliott is a “switched on” practitioner who has developed a good following, particularly among tenants.

2007— The eight-partner practice in Darlington acts for farmers and landowners in the region and beyond. The firm is enjoying a buoyant farming and estates market and demonstrates a commercial ethos through it’s comprehensive service including diversification and environment specialisms. Private Client and Agricultural lawyer Anne Elliott focuses on IHT, CGT planning and gains respect for her “down to earth approach, an important quality for farming Clients.”

Nothing like blowing your own trumpet!