Akhil qualified as a Solicitor in 2001 and has built a career that spans some of the most personal areas of law a client can face. Initially starting off by dealing with family law and then moving to private client law, dealing with matters ranging from Wills, Trusts, Tax Planning and Court of Protection work.
As Head of both the Contentious and Non-Contentious Departments at Bowsers, he tries to take a pragmatic approach to help clients.
In this month’s department spotlight, we sat down with Akhil to talk about the realities of his role within Private Client work, the advice he gives anyone considering a career in law, and a few things you might not know about the person behind the casework.
Private Client FAQs with Akhil
People often put off making a Will. Why do you think that is, and what would you say to someone who keeps pushing it down the to-do list?
We don’t like thinking about our own mortality, but making a will is important because you state who should benefit from your estate, and sometimes who shouldn’t.
Lasting Powers of Attorney come up a lot in conversation, but many still don’t have one in place. What are the real-world consequences of not having an LPA?
If you don’t have a lasting power of attorney and you lose your capacity, then the consequences can be grave. The alternative to lasting power of attorney is time-consuming and expensive, so it’s better to have a lasting power of attorney in place, just in case.
Tax planning sounds like something only the wealthy need. Who actually benefits from thinking about it earlier rather than later?
Yes, from the face of it, you might think tax planning is for the wealthy, but in reality, everyone can benefit from some tax planning. If you have assets to leave behind, then it’s always a good idea to think about what tax implications there might be.
Court of Protection and Deputyship work can be unfamiliar territory for families. When does it usually come into play?
A Court of Protection application for Deputyship might be something a relative considers if there is no lasting power of attorney in place.
What are the most common mistakes you see when people try to handle writing a Will or setting up an LPA without professional advice?
When someone prepares their own will, mistakes can include the simple things, like the signing of the will.
About Akhil and Life at Bowsers
You qualified as a Solicitor back in 2001. What drew you to law in the first place and the areas you have specialised in?
I had a taste of basic law at A-level and liked it so much that I wanted to pursue a career in law, so I did.
What does a typical day look like as Head of two departments? Does such a thing as a typical day even exist?
I think there are no two days which are similar. Every day is different with different challenges but with one goal, to help our clients.
What do you most enjoy about working at Bowsers?
There are many things that I like about working at Bowsers, but one of the most important is the great atmosphere that exists here. People are not treated as numbers but as individuals, which is very important to me.
What advice would you give a school leaver or graduate considering a career in law today?
As always, I would suggest that you try to get work experience in a law firm so you can find out whether this is a career for you.
The Lighter Side
If you hadn’t become a Solicitor, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Possibly an architect, I think.
What were your favourite (and least favourite) subjects at school?
Least favourite probably was art, whilst the favourite may have been English.
One thing on your bucket list?
Achievable bucket list – the Maldives
Get in Touch with Akhil
Thank you to Akhil for taking the time to share his thoughts and give us a look at the person behind the practice.
If you’d like to speak to Akhil or the Private Client team about a Will, Lasting Power of Attorney, Estate Planning, Court of Protection, or Contentious Probate matter, please get in touch.
Email: akhil.choudhury@bowsers.co.uk
Call: Wisbech office: 01945 583194 March office: 01354 652606.
You can also read more about the wider Bowsers team on our Meet the Team page.
