RISE IN UK-SPAIN ESTATE COMPLEXITY PROMPTS MORR & CO TO BOOST EXPERTISE
Morr & Co has expanded its international private client capability with the recruitment of Dennis Phillips as a partner, responding to a sharp rise in requests for specialist legal advice from UK residents with property and estates in Spain. The strategic hire underscores the firm’s intention to deepen its cross-border advisory services at a time when demand for international wealth, inheritance and property expertise continues to grow.
Phillips joins the practice as one of the few English-qualified lawyers with long-standing experience in Spanish property and succession law. His work focuses on multi-jurisdictional estates, cross-border inheritance planning and the administration of Spanish assets — an area that has become increasingly complex for UK families following shifting tax rules and post-Brexit regulatory adjustments.
Catherine Fisher, managing partner at Morr & Co, said the appointment strengthens the firm’s offering for clients with overseas interests. “This appointment reflects our commitment to providing expert guidance on the complex legal challenges our clients face when they own property abroad,” she said. “Dennis’ cross-border expertise will be invaluable to families and individuals managing property and estates across jurisdictions and his collaborative approach is a perfect fit with our values.”
Phillips, who holds a degree in Law and Spanish Law and qualified in 2002, regularly advises on the administration of Spanish estates, including cases where assets are left to UK charities. His practice also covers lifetime transfers of Spanish property — from gifts and buyouts to disposals — as well as Spanish Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters.
He works closely with legal and tax specialists in both countries, aiming to reduce delays, eliminate procedural pitfalls and minimise unnecessary tax exposure for clients navigating dual legal systems.
“I’m looking forward to building on Morr & Co’s expertise in handling cross-border legal challenges and expanding our services in Spain,” Phillips said. “My understanding of how the Spanish and UK legal systems interact will help clients find cost-effective and practical solutions, where managing Spanish estates from the UK is rarely straightforward without professional support. Together we will be able to provide specialist support for clients with Spanish property and inheritance matters, bridging the gap between both legal systems, so our clients don’t have to navigate the complexity alone.”
Morr & Co’s private client team advises on Spanish wills, succession planning, property transfers after death and the broader legal and administrative issues facing individuals with assets across multiple jurisdictions. The firm also collaborates with a network of vetted professionals in Spain, or works alongside clients’ existing advisers, to remove language barriers and reduce the uncertainty that typically accompanies cross-border legal processes.
As more UK-based families acquire or inherit property abroad, firms with dual-jurisdiction expertise are becoming increasingly sought after. Morr & Co’s latest appointment signals its ambition to capture a larger share of this expanding market and to provide clients with the specialist support required to navigate Spain’s evolving legal landscape.
