Beyond Compensation - Navigating Tax & Estate Planning After National Tragedies

Introduction

Compensation from national tragedies is not just another asset, it carries emotional weight, legal complexity and serious tax risk. From the Infected Blood scandal to the Grenfell Tower fire and the Windrush scandal, practitioners are increasingly navigating high-stakes, deeply sensitive awards that demand more than routine advice.

While these payments can be life-changing, they often come with hidden pitfalls. Even with recent developments, such as confirmation in the 2025 Autumn Budget that certain Infected Blood compensation payments are exempt from Inheritance Tax, uncertainty remains. Questions around provisions like Inheritance Tax Act 1984, particularly s.142(1) and their interaction with estate planning frameworks continue to create risk and confusion.

This new virtual classroom seminar equips practitioners with the clarity and confidence to act decisively. You will explore the evolving legal landscape, identify gaps and inconsistencies across compensation schemes and understand the real-world consequences of missteps, from unexpected tax liabilities to failed planning strategies and potential professional negligence.

Through practical examples and policy insight, you will learn how to structure advice effectively, mitigate exposure and protect vulnerable clients. Key challenges such as variation planning, lifetime gifting and trust structuring are addressed with a focus on the unique moral and legal status of these awards.

Register today to gain a practical, robust framework for advising on compensation payments. Ensure these awards fulfil their purpose, supporting victims and families, without creating avoidable financial or legal complications.

What You Will Learn

The session will cover the following:

• The evolving legal landscape surrounding compensation payments and their treatment for Inheritance Tax
• The risks arising from uncertainty and limited clarity in applying s.142(1) of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984
• Practical strategies to mitigate tax exposure when advising on compensation awards
• Real-world case studies demonstrating effective solutions for protecting vulnerable clients

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.