International Legal Practice and Professional Background
Biography
With over two decades of experience in international law, Fernando del Canto is a dual-qualifi ed lawyer and barrister, admitted to practise in Spain (1999) and England & Wales (2006).
His career bridges the civil law and common law traditions, off ering a comparative legal perspective that enables seamless coordination across jurisdictions.
Fernando has practised in Madrid, London, Dublin, New York, Delhi, Gibraltar, Doha, and Dubai, advising private clients, family offi ces, sovereign funds and public bodies.
He has led major cross-border cases in international taxation, arbitration, litigation, and corporate restructuring, with a particular focus on governance, compliance, and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) matters.
As the first Spanish national to qualify as both an Abogado and an English Barrister, Fernando is authorised to represent clients directly before all courts of England and Wales and recognised to appear in tribunals throughout the EU and beyond.
He also acts as a strategic advisor to the Lord Mayor of the City of London on international tax matters, contributing to the dialogue between UK fi nancial institutions and the European business community.
Today, his practice is primarily based between London, Madrid, and Dubai, serving clients who require coordinated legal representation and tax strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
Bridging legal systems, connecting continents. With a dual qualification and over two decades of international practice, Fernando del Canto provides seamless legal and tax solutions across jurisdictions.
Memberships and Publications
Fernando maintains active involvement in professional and academic institutions that shape international legal practice. His memberships and published work refl ect both technical excellence and a commitment to ethical, cross-border advocacy.
► Professional Memberships
Fernando’s professional affi liations refl ect a career defi ned by integrity, technical excellence, and a commitment to the global legal community. He is a member of leading legal and taxation institutions in both Spain and the United Kingdom, contributing to the exchange of best practices between both jurisdictions.
- Spanish Bar (1999) – Member of the Bar Associations of Jerez de la Frontera, Madrid, and Palma de Mallorca.
- Called to the Bar of England & Wales (2006) – The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.
- European Registered Lawyer with the Bar Council of Ireland
- Ad Eundem Member – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple (London)
- Liveryman of the Worshipful Association of Tax Advisers of the City of London and a member of the Lord Mayor’s tax advisory group.
These memberships illustrate his continued engagement with the evolving landscape of cross-border law and his leadership in the professional community.
► Publications and Media
Beyond his legal practice, Fernando authored Abogacía Crítica (Thomson Reuters, 2021), a work on the ethics of advocacy and the lawyer’s role in a global society, featuring forewords by Juan Luis Cebrián and Judge Baltasar Garzón.
He contributes to leading outlets including The Times, Financial Times, El País, and Taxation (UK), providing commentary on international tax, governance, and post-Brexit regulation.
Regularly invited to conferences across Europe, the Gulf, and Latin America, he speaks on transparency, cross-border cooperation, and ESG compliance, strengthening his reputation as a connector between legal systems.
► Documentary Work and Cultural Projects
Fernando’s understanding of law extends beyond the courtroom and the boardroom. He sees legal practice as part of a broader social and cultural dialogue, and this belief has inspired him to produce two award-winning documentaries directed by Jesús Armesto, each refl ecting the intersection between law, identity, and justice.
Las Llaves de la Memoria (The Keys of Memory, 2014):
explores Andalusia’s historical coexistence between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, examining how collective memory shapes cultural and legal identity in Spain.
Los Burgueses de Calais, la última frontera (The Bourgeois of Calais, the Last Frontier, 2018):
investigates Europe’s refugee crisis and media narratives, featuring Judge Baltasar Garzón and addressing questions of international responsibility and human rights.
These works highlight Fernando’s broader vision of law as a humanistic discipline — one that connects justice with cultural heritage and ethical responsibility.
Strategic Approach
Fernando’s approach to legal practice rests on three essential principles: strategy, precision, and discretion. Having worked across diverse jurisdictions and legal traditions, he prioritises understanding each client’s personal, commercial, or institutional goals before developing a bespoke legal strategy that aligns with them.
His method blends the analytical rigour of common law with the structured coherence of civil law, allowing him to anticipate potential confl icts, harmonise advice from diff erent advisers, and protect the client’s interests from both a legal and strategic perspective. He is known for delivering clear, coordinated solutions to complex international problems, ensuring that every decision is both legally sound and practically eff ective.
- In-depth assessment of relevant jurisdictions and applicable frameworks.
- Strategy designed around the client’s real objectives.
- Coordination with accountants, fi duciaries, and fi nancial advisers.
- Transparent fee structures with phased arrangements when required.
- Confi dential management of sensitive or high-value matters.
This approach enables Fernando to maintain lasting relationships built on trust, clarity, and results.
Sectors of Expertise
Fernando’s practice spans a range of industries where international coordination, compliance, and strategic foresight are fundamental. Each sector demands deep regulatory understanding and the ability to integrate tax, legal, and operational dimensions into a coherent structure.
Private Wealth and Family Offi ces:
advising on estate planning, asset structuring, trusts, and succession strategies across jurisdictions.
International Real Estate Investment:
assisting with high-value acquisitions, property fi nancing, and SOCIMI/REIT structuring.
Media, Technology, and Intellectual Property:
managing cross-border licensing, IP taxation, and reputation protection.
Energy, Sustainability, and ESG:
advising corporations on compliance, governance frameworks, and sustainable investment projects.
Public and Multilateral Institutions:
representing public bodies and international organisations in litigation and arbitration.
Foundations and Non-Profi ts:
establishing and managing charitable entities with multi-jurisdictional compliance and fi scal effi ciency.
Across all these sectors, Fernando’s goal remains consistent: to off er clients clear, strategic, and cross-border legal direction that anticipates challenges and protects value in an increasingly complex world.