SMYTH BARKHAM LLP

Name

SMYTH BARKHAM LLP

Legal name

SMYTH BARKHAM LLP

Website

https://smythbarkham.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Private Client (Trusts & Estates) Law (BPAHAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guardianship, Conservatorship & Special Needs Trust Services (FSAEAKAG), Private Banking & UHNW Wealth Advisory (FSAEABAC)

Keywords

• Private client law
• Estate planning services
• Tax advisory services
• Entertainment law
• Wills and probate

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Services - Hourly Billing: The firm charges on an hourly basis with agreed rates prior to commitment. Rates are transparent and set out in client care letters. The firm bills monthly but does not typically request payment until the grant of representation has been issued.
2. Legal Services - Fixed Fee (Probate): For probate matters, the firm provides fee estimates based on complexity. For straightforward estates under £1 million, fees range from £5,000-10,000 plus VAT.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

SMYTH BARKHAM LLP is a niche private client law firm that provides bespoke legal services to high net worth individuals, entertainment industry professionals, entrepreneurs, landed estates, and trustees. The firm's core practice covers wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration, complemented by specialist expertise in UK and offshore tax planning, entertainment and music law, brand protection, family law, and employment law. Services are delivered on an hourly billing basis with fixed-fee estimates available for probate matters.

Product overview

SMYTH BARKHAM LLP is a niche private client law firm offering a portfolio of legal services rather than a unified technology product. The core offering centers on private client matters (wills, trusts, probate, estates) combined with specialist expertise in taxation (UK and international) and the entertainment industry. Services include Wills and Trusts, Taxation, Music and Entertainment, Estates and Inherited Wealth, Brand Protection and Copyright, Employment, Probate, and Family law. The firm operates as a traditional law practice with individual service lines rather than a modular software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wills and Trusts Legal advisory services for drafting wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, living wills, and deeds of appointment. Includes advice on removing trustees and remedying breaches of trust.
• Taxation Advisory on complex taxation including income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax for UK and non-UK domiciled individuals. Includes UK and offshore tax planning services.
• Music and Entertainment Legal representation for artists, musicians, bands, and models. Services include recording agreements, music publishing, merchandising, band agreements, touring arrangements, modelling contracts, tax structuring, and privacy issues.
• Estates and Inherited Wealth Advisory for executors and trustees on duties, documentation, and UK law compliance. Acting as executors, trustees, and protectors with connections to investment advisors.
• Brand Protection and Copyright Reputation and brand management services including rights protection and infringement handling. Also advises on copyright protection.
• Employment Drafting employment contracts, compromise agreements, grievance and disciplinary procedures. Advice on redundancy and staff-related matters for employers.
• Probate All aspects of probate and estate law from obtaining probate and administering estates to challenging wills. Services include applying for Grant of Probate, collecting and distributing assets.
• Family Complex divorce matters including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements with legal and tax implications advice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180+ years of combined post-qualification experience in wills and estate matters

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Lockton Companies LLPminorOthersLockton Companies LLP is the professional indemnity insurance broker for Smyth Barkham LLP. The firm holds £3 million of insurance with Endurance Worldwide Insurance Ltd under policy number LP1302534805 and £7 million of insurance under policy number OSO230561045A with Excess Newline Insurance Co LTD and Euclid Financial and Professional Risks Limited.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Withers: International full-service firm with a leading private client practice serving wealthy individuals, families and entrepreneurs on tax, trusts and estate matters globally. Larger peer competing for the same UHNW segment.
• Mishcon de Reya: London-based full-service firm with strong private client, family and entertainment practices. Competes with Smyth Barkham for HNW and entertainment clients while offering broader corporate capabilities.
• Howard Kennedy LLP: London full-service firm with notable private client, family and entertainment/media practices. Competes for Smyth Barkham's HNW and entertainment clients while offering wider corporate services.
• Macfarlanes: London firm with established private client and tax practice targeting HNW individuals, families and trustees. Larger and broader scope, but competes directly for UHNW advisory mandates.

Direct peers

• Farrer & Co: London firm with deep private client and entertainment/media practice serving UHNW individuals, artists, and royal households. Closest peer in the entertainment-law crossover Smyth Barkham also covers.
• Forsters LLP: London private client firm serving HNW individuals, families and landed estates with a particular strength in real estate, private wealth and tax. Comparable client profile and service lines.
• Boodle Hatfield: London-based private client law firm serving HNW individuals, families, entrepreneurs and landed estates with wills, trusts, tax and probate work. Highly comparable niche and client base to Smyth Barkham.
• Payne Hicks Beach: Boutique London private client firm specialising in family law, tax planning, trusts and estates for high-net-worth individuals. Direct overlap with Smyth Barkham's service lines and target clientele.
• Kingsley Napley: London mid-size firm with private client, family and tax expertise serving affluent individuals, families and entertainment sector clients. Comparable size and specialisation mix.
• Seddons Solicitors: London firm with a private client and HNW focus on tax, trusts, probate and estate planning. Similar size and target audience to Smyth Barkham in the London private client market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smyth-barkham-llp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMYTH BARKHAM LLP