Wilsons

Wilsons is recognised as one of the leading private client and charity law firms in the United Kingdom. With a heritage spanning nearly 300 years and lawyers acknowledged as leaders in their fields, the firm combines long-established expertise with modern legal insight to serve individuals, entrepreneurs, companies, landowners, trust companies, and charities. From its offices in Salisbury and London, Wilsons employs approximately 170 staff, including 31 partners and 69 fee-earners.

The firm has built a national reputation through its focus on private client and charity law, a strategy it has consistently pursued for over three decades. Its private client practice advises on tax, estate and succession planning, asset structuring, wills and trusts, probate, and estate administration, including matters involving estates valued in excess of £50 million. The family team advises on pre-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships, divorce, and children’s arrangements.

In property, Wilsons acts for clients with significant commercial, agricultural, and residential interests, advising on acquisitions, sales, lettings, and development land transactions. Clients include religious, charitable, and educational organisations, overseas investors, and landowners. The litigation and dispute resolution team, one of the largest outside London, handles a wide range of contentious matters, with particular expertise in contentious trusts, probate disputes, agricultural disputes, and commercial claims.

The commercial department provides specialist advice in employment, commercial property, insolvency, and corporate law. Its corporate work centres on private equity, tax and asset planning, transactions, and refinancing, with a client base that includes high-net-worth individuals, investment groups, start-ups, and charities requiring tailored commercial support.

Wilsons also maintains a strong agricultural practice, advising rural businesses and landowners on complex transactions, development options, diversification, grants, and property litigation, including tenancy, partnership, and boundary disputes. The firm’s charity team is among the highest ranked in the UK, advising on the full range of charity law matters, including governance, constitutional issues, legacy work, and contentious disputes. It is particularly noted for its expertise in advising military charities and the charitable care sector.

Staffing
170 total staff
31 partners
69 fee-earners