Services | International Practice Areas
Fernando del Canto’s legal practice covers the key areas of international private and public law aff ecting individuals, families, companies, and institutions with interests across multiple jurisdictions. His approach combines comparative experience in common law and civil law systems, strategic insight in international taxation, and a pragmatic focus on the management of cross-border, corporate, and family assets. The objective is to provide clear, coordinated legal direction to clients operating between Europe, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf, addressing the legal and fi scal challenges that arise in a global context.
International Taxation and Wealth Structuring
International taxation is a central pillar of Fernando’s practice. He advises private clients, family offi ces, and businesses on how to structure and protect assets effi ciently across diff erent jurisdictions, ensuring compliance while benefi ting from applicable double taxation treaties and international standards.
Residence and Tax Domicile
Determining tax residence is essential for assessing liability. Fernando advises on the criteria used by Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, helping clients defi ne their eff ective residence and understand the fi scal implications of any relocation.
Double Tax Treaties and International Planning
By applying bilateral treaties and OECD frameworks, Fernando helps optimise fi scal structures and prevent confl icts between tax authorities. His advice includes cross-border investment review, family wealth coordination, and treaty-based planning.
Representation Before Tax Authorities
Fernando advises and represents clients before tax authorities in various jurisdictions, including HMRC (UK), AEAT (Spain), and administrations in Gibraltar, Dubai, Qatar, and Switzerland. His work covers audits, voluntary disclosures, and information exchange under international frameworks.
Family Office Strategies
He assists complex family structures in coordinating assets, trusts, and corporate entities, ensuring long-term effi ciency, control, and sustainability.
Property and International Succession
Property ownership and inheritance across jurisdictions require precise coordination between tax, civil, and registry systems. Fernando advises on cross-border transactions, succession planning, and estate administration, ensuring legal certainty and fi scal effi ciency throughout the process.
International Real Estate Transactions
Guidance on the purchase, sale, or restructuring of properties in Europe, the UK, and the Gulf, ensuring regulatory compliance and tax effi ciency at every stage.
Succession Planning and Cross-Border Wills
Drafting and coordinating wills valid in multiple jurisdictions, harmonising civil law and common law systems, and optimising inheritance and succession tax exposure.
International Estate Administration
Managing estates with assets in several countries, representing heirs, executors, and trustees in probate and estate settlement procedures.
Asset Protection and Fiduciary Structures
Designing holding and protection structures — including companies, trusts, and foundations — to safeguard family assets and ensure long-term continuity.
Family and Asset Protection
Cross-border family relationships bring complex legal and fi scal implications. Fernando provides integrated advice to help families prevent disputes, safeguard assets, and ensure legal recognition of agreements across jurisdictions.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Drafting and validation of agreements recognised in Spain and the UK, ensuring compliance with both legal systems and enforceability in each jurisdiction.
Trusts and Fiduciary Structures
Creation of trusts and similar vehicles to separate ownership from control, providing fl exibility, asset protection, and intergenerational planning.
Financial Remedies and Divorce Proceedings
Representation in fi nancial settlements and asset division cases involving property and investments in multiple countries, with a focus on discretion and negotiated outcomes.
Family Governance
Development of governance frameworks that regulate family participation in business, joint asset management, and smooth generational transitions.
Global Mobility and Change of Residence
Relocating to another country involves complex tax, immigration, and regulatory implications. Fernando advises individuals and companies on every legal and fi scal aspect of international mobility, ensuring a smooth and compliant transition between jurisdictions.
Pre-Move Planning
Comprehensive guidance on tax exposure before relocation, including determination of eff ective dates and asset management prior to departure.
Special Tax Regimes
Application of the non-dom regime (UK) and the impatriate or “Beckham Law” regime (Spain), assessing eligibility and long-term implications for clients and executives.
Investor and Professional Visas
Legal and fi scal assistance for investor, talent, and entrepreneur visa applications, including the integration of relocation and tax residence planning.
International Executive Taxation
Advising multinational companies and executives on remuneration and compensation structures that optimise taxation and comply with international employment rules.
International Corporate Law
Corporate structuring and governance in an international context require close coordination between legal, fi scal, and regulatory frameworks. Fernando advises on cross-border corporate operations, mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, and compliance systems aligned with ESG principles.
Cross-Border Entity Structuring
Formation and reorganisation of corporate vehicles adapted to fi scal and operational requirements in each jurisdiction.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Advising on complex international transactions in Europe and the Gulf, coordinating with fi nancial advisers, auditors, and regulators.
Corporate Governance and ESG
Implementation of governance and sustainability frameworks within multinational groups, ensuring compliance with global ESG standards.
Regulatory Compliance and Legal Audit
Assessment of regulatory risks and verifi cation of compliance in fi nancial, energy, and technology sectors.
International Contracts and Joint Ventures
Negotiation and drafting of international contracts, cooperation agreements, and joint ventures between entities in multiple jurisdictions.
Public Law and International Arbitration
Public international law and arbitration form a key part of Fernando’s cross-border practice. He represents private clients, corporations, and public entities in international disputes, administrative proceedings, and arbitration under leading institutional frameworks.
International Litigation and Arbitration
Representation in commercial and investment arbitration under ICC, UNCITRAL, and LCIA rules, as well as in transnational court proceedings.
Administrative and Regulatory Proceedings
Assistance before regulatory, tax, and competition authorities in the UK, Spain, and the EU, including appeals and enforcement actions.
Public International Law and State Responsibility
Advising on cases involving sovereign immunity, expropriation, treaties, and state liability, acting for both public entities and private parties.
An Integrated Legal Perspective
Each of these practice areas is developed under a single principle: strategic coherence and international perspective. Fernando del Canto works in close coordination with tax, fi nancial, and fi duciary advisers to ensure that every legal decision aligns with the client’s broader objectives. His experience across multicultural environments and legal systems allows him to deliver a truly cross-border practice — one defi ned by clarity, precision, and sustainable results.