Lewin Trust Company

Russell Cooke LLP (RCLLP) has provided trustee services for around 150 years. The Russell Cooke Trust Company (RCTC) was formed in 1993 to provide trustee and executorship services to clients. It has been a popular choice both as a trustee and executor. RCLLP has now set up a new trustee service focussed on trusts and estates which need something exceptional. This might be because, for example, the assets held are ultra-high and/or because the issues involved are exceptionally complex or sensitive. The service is offered through the Lewin Trust Company Ltd (LTC).

LTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of RCTC but operates with its own experienced Board. Before accepting any appointment LTC scrutinises each proposal carefully to ensure that it is a situation in which the LTC’s proactive approach is appropriate and will add value.

LTC operates within the same regulatory and insurance framework as RCTC and RCLLP.

Where a trust or estate:

• involves complex, unusual or very high-value assets

• is subject to a dispute or the possibility of litigation in one or more jurisdictions

• is likely to require urgent and/or difficult decisions by the trustee or executor

• has previous trustees who may have committed breaches of trust

• has assets which are subject to significant commercial transactions

• has assets which are at imminent risk

• requires a number of different specialist legal advisers to be coordinated.

Fast Decision Making

LTC does not confine its decision making to routine Board meetings but will customise availability to meet the requirements of the trust. Some situations are fast moving and may develop “out of hours”.

Working with Russell-Cooke

LTC often instructs RCLLP with whom it has a strong working relationship. High levels of mutual confidence allow the costs of duplication between lawyer and trustee to be minimised which is to the advantage of the trusts involved. LTC also instructs other lawyers and professionals where it is in the trust’s interest to do so. This may occur, for example, where the requirement is particularly esoteric.

The terms of each appointment are individually tailored. Unlike RCTC, LTC may be expected to charge a fee for acting as trustee or executor in addition to any fees for legal work done by RCLLP or any other solicitor instructed.

Charges are tailored to each situation including the assessment of risk but will often be based on a fixed amount/percentage of assets annually plus a fee for any particular exceptional transactions. The annual fee is usually reviewed yearly.