Dean Ryan

Dean has particular expertise in estate planning, wealth preservation and the administration of estates, regularly advising on complex and high-value probate matters with domestic and international dimensions. He acts for executors, trustees and beneficiaries in relation to all aspects of estate administration, including estates containing business interests, landed property and cross-border elements. He oversees the firm’s probate practice and is recognised for providing pragmatic, commercially focused advice at often sensitive and challenging times for families.

He advises clients on the preparation of tax-efficient Wills, succession planning structures, trusts and lifetime wealth transfers. Dean also has experience in matters involving capacity, including the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions, helping clients put in place robust arrangements for future decision-making.

Dean’s practice extends to trust advisory work and contentious trust and estate matters. He frequently supports clients in navigating complex family, fiduciary and succession issues, working closely with advisers across disciplines to deliver coordinated solutions.

A Chartered Tax Adviser and Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Dean brings significant technical tax expertise to his private client practice. He regularly advises on personal taxation, trust taxation, inheritance tax, capital gains tax and tax compliance matters, enabling clients to integrate tax considerations seamlessly into their wider estate and succession planning. He is also a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers.

Dean has a particular interest in philanthropy and charitable structures, advising individuals and families on charitable giving, the establishment of charitable entities and governance matters, including registration with and regulation by the Charity Commission.

Clients value Dean’s technical excellence, attention to detail and approachable manner. His ability to explain complex legal and tax issues clearly and practically has earned him recognition from clients and industry commentators alike. He is described in The Legal 500 UK as “an extremely able team member” who is “readily available and has a real interest and understanding of his clients’ affairs.”

Dean is recognised in the Spear’s Tax & Trust Index as a “Rising Star” Tax Lawyer.

Dean read Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, where he was Organ Scholar of Downing College. He trained at Taylor Wessing and joined Payne Hicks Beach on qualification in 2016.