Belinda Hornsby Cox Belinda heads the ‘Private Wealth’ practice of Belmont & Lowe incorporating the Private Client and Family Departments. Belinda’s legal practice offers the highest-quality bespoke advice on the full breadth of family and private client law to clients from a wide range of backgrounds. Private Client Belinda is a highly experienced, well-respected private client practitioner, advising individuals on their wills and estate planning, probate and the administration of trusts and estates. She acts for individuals and families from all walks of life where the size of the estates ranges from the substantial to very small. She looks after families through the generations and her clients are often loyal third or fourth generation families. This loyalty is a testament to the service Belinda provides. Many other clients are referred to her by existing clients and advisors. Through advising individuals, families and trusts who own farms and landed estates, Belinda has built strong relationships with several land management agents to the benefit of her clients. With oversight of the department, Belinda ensures that client matters are dealt with appropriately and cost effectively utilising her small and personable team. Family Belinda has many years of experience acting for clients in the field of family law, including divorce, separation, pre-nuptial agreements, financial settlements and disputes involving children. Her clients value her ability to deliver clear, pragmatic advice with sensitivity especially when matters are highly complex. She is an experienced collaborative lawyer, a form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) who believes passionately that the resolution of family disputes without going to court can only benefit the ongoing relationship of those involved, especially where there are young children. However, where litigation is the last option, she will defend her client’s interests with the utmost tenacity. Other forms of NCDR Belinda frequently advises her clients to engage in include hybrid mediation, private FDRs and ever more frequently arbitration. Belinda’s experience not only includes regular straight forward matters such as advising parties on agreements they themselves have reached, but also more complex or (U)HNW matters involving family wealth and/or companies, entrepreneurs, the dissipation or hiding of assets, complex tax issues, trusts and private equity investments. Many of Belinda’s clients live overseas or travel for work and therefore she is amenable to working around clients in differing time zones with demanding roles. Clients and experts From Belinda’s vast experience across the breadth of the ‘private wealth’ work she undertakes she has an enviable list of contacts she can draw upon who can assist clients with almost any need relating to her respective practice areas. These contacts differ in experience, location and expertise to ensure that there is someone suitable for all clients. How Belinda works When Belinda takes on a case, her clients are met with an outstanding combination of expert practical advice tailored to meet their individual needs and an above-and-beyond personal service. It is what makes her stand out in a legal landscape where clients of larger firms often do not know who they will be speaking to next about their case. Both the Private Client and Family team are small and personal to reflect the individual experience a client receives. Belinda frequently works with her clients and their respective advisors across all areas of expertise to understand the full picture and ensure the client receives the most suitable and tailored advice. Professional qualifications and memberships Belinda is a member of The City of London Collaborative Law Group, a practice group of London collaborative divorce lawyers, which debates practice problems relating to collaborative law and other forms of non-court dispute resolution in family matters. Belinda is a member of Resolution, a professional organisation whose members are committed to promoting a constructive, non-confrontational approach to the resolution of family disputes and matters. Members follow a code of practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues that considers the needs of the whole family. It encourages the use of other routes, such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative practice, rather than going to court. Belinda is a long-standing member of STEP, the worldwide professional body for solicitors who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning. It promotes high professional standards and education for its members, who adhere to their code of conduct, attend specialist conferences to keep knowledge relevant and are continuously updated on the latest developments. Belinda studied Business at the City of London Polytechnic before taking her Law Society Finals at the University of Law, Guildford. She then joined Belmont & Lowe, becoming a partner three years later. When not in the office When she is not working for her clients, Belinda looks forward to hosting dinner parties at her home in Suffolk, where she also enjoys gardening, raising chickens and walking Brodie, her beloved Skye Terrier. When time permits she enjoys touring in France and going on safari in Eastern and Southern Africa with her partner where she indulges her biggest passion which is photographing wildlife.