Mourant Trusts Forums 2022

More than 100 trust and fiduciary professionals attended the Mourant Trusts Forums in Jersey and Guernsey last week (on 24 and 26 May respectively).

The annual Forums bring together members of Mourant’s leading International Trusts and Private Client team with industry experts to deliver insights on key topics and trends in the private wealth sector.

Attendees heard discussions on whether traditional trust structures were still fit for purpose in the modern era and discussions on panellists' experiences with fund-like and collective investment vehicles in a private client context.

Changing client priorities were a key theme of the Forums, with discussions around the increase in investment requests pertaining to crypto assets and ESG. Panellists discussed the considerations for trustees amidst these changing investment demands.

Speakers also delivered updates on financial sanctions and regulatory issues, bringing guests up to date on the latest developments that could impact their clients, structures and organisations.

Experts from across the sector presented on the practical aspects of their work and the day-to-day issues that affect the private wealth practitioner. These included a panel on blessing applications, with the focus being on the considerations that trustees should take into account when applying to Court for the approval of decisions which they consider to be momentous.

The exercise of the power to exclude beneficiaries was also discussed, as a panel reflected on recent court decisions and their implications for trustees who decide to exclude a beneficiary under a discretionary trust.

Both Forums concluded with a keynote speech from Tim Shipman, the Chief Political Commentator at The Sunday Times. In a busy week in Westminster, Tim shared his latest take on the political environment and spoke about Boris Johnson’s premiership with wit and wisdom.

Gilly Kennedy-Smith said: “The Mourant Trusts Forums once again have proved to be an environment for practitioners to come together and share experiences, reflect on the latest trends, and glean insights from a range of experts."

Stephen Alexander said: “The events were a tremendous success and we’d like to thank all our speakers, sponsors and attendees for contributing to such productive Forums.”

The Mourant Trusts Forums were sponsored by Butterfield and BDO and speakers were from: Butterfield, BDO, Saffery Champness, McDermott Will & Emery, Cazenove, Maurice Turnor Gardner, Macfarlanes, Stephenson Harwood, Wilberforce Chambers, Ocorian, Forsters, Intertrust, Ten Old Square Chambers, Serle Court, Jersey Finance, JTC, Macfarlanes and RBC.