Jonathan L.M. Shaw

Experience

Jonathan L.M. Shaw has extensive experience as a barrister, having been called to the English Bar (Gray’s Inn) when he was 25. He began his legal career in commercial and corporate litigation, liquidations, and banking transactions in Birmingham Chambers. In 1986, he relocated to Hong Kong, where he commenced private practice at the Hong Kong Bar after a period in the Attorney General’s Chambers successfully prosecuting complex commercial crime including Hong Kong’s largest ever Letter of Credit fraud. His private practice focused on corporate and commercial law, with a strong emphasis on international tax, trusts, and succession planning for HNWIs and ULTRAs. In 1997 he founded Corporate & Chancery Group Limited, now a leading trust company in Mauritius, where he has served as Executive Director and Principal of the company since 1998. In 2020 Jonathan and his trust company was appointed by Credit Suisse to open, manage, and administer their trust operations in Mauritius, which together with his team, they did successfully for over 20 years.

Specialty

Since 1998 Jonathan L.M. Shaw has specialised in international tax and trusts, with a particular focus on cross-border tax planning, asset protection, and succession for HNWIs and ULTRAs, with the use of special purpose vehicles and multiple offshore jurisdictions. In particular, Jonathan has drafted and created a special structure which makes clients effectively ‘invisible’ and unreportable anywhere in the world, perfectly legitimately, and which is used by all of his offshore ULTRA clients, especially with regard to their cross-border transactions where they wish to maintain a low profile.

Education

Jonathan L.M. Shaw is a postgraduate of London University, where he achieved Merit and Distinction (‘informal’) in his International Tax Masters.

Exclusive Tax (Private Client) Member in Mauritius at IR Global: Jonathan Shaw joined IR Global as their exclusive Tax (Private Client) member in Mauritius, highlighting his leadership and recognition in international tax advisory.

Executive Director and Principal of Corporate & Chancery Group Limited: Since 1999, Jonathan Shaw has served as Executive Director and Principal of Corporate & Chancery Group Limited, demonstrating a significant leadership role within the firm specializing in international tax and trust planning.

Specialist in International Tax and Trusts: Called to the English Bar (Gray’s Inn) when he was 25, Jonathan Shaw holds a postgraduate degree from London University with overall ‘Merit’ & Individual module Distinction (‘informal’) in International Tax, underscoring his expertise and contributions to the field.

Recognized Expert in Cross-Border Tax Planning for High Net Worth Individuals: Shaw is noted for his specialization in advising high net worth individuals on international tax planning, trusts, and succession, including the use of bespoke Special Purpose Vehicles.

Longstanding Legal Practice and Advocacy: With over 35 years as a barrister, Jonathan Shaw has extensive experience in civil, commercial, revenue, and trust law across multiple jurisdictions including the UK, Hong Kong, and others, contributing to his professional recognition.

Management Team Member at Corporate & Chancery Group Limited: Jonathan Shaw is a key member of the management team at Corporate & Chancery Group Limited, reflecting his leadership within the firm.

Experience

Jonathan L.M. Shaw has over 35 years of experience as a barrister and international tax adviser. Called to the English Bar (Gray’s Inn) at the age of 25, he began his legal career practicing commercial and corporate litigation, banking transactions, and insolvency matters in Birmingham Chambers. In 1986, he relocated to Hong Kong, where he joined the Attorney General’s Chambers and successfully prosecuted complex commercial crime before establishing a private practice at the Hong Kong Bar.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has advised multinational businesses, private clients, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals on complex cross-border tax matters, offshore structures, international business transactions, and wealth preservation strategies. In 1997, he founded Corporate & Chancery Group Limited in Mauritius, where he has served as Executive Director and Principal since 1998. Under his leadership, the firm has become a leading provider of international tax, corporate, fiduciary, and wealth planning services for clients operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Jonathan has extensive experience structuring international investments, advising on tax-efficient holding structures, cross-border transactions, treaty planning, residency issues, and the establishment of offshore entities while ensuring compliance with evolving international tax standards.

Specialty

Jonathan L.M. Shaw specializes in International Tax Law, advising high-net-worth individuals, multinational businesses, family offices, and private investors on cross-border tax planning, international corporate structuring, and wealth preservation.

His practice focuses on designing tax-efficient structures for international investments, mergers and acquisitions, holding companies, private wealth, succession planning, and asset protection. He regularly advises clients on the use of offshore jurisdictions, double taxation treaties, special purpose vehicles, and international business companies to optimize global tax efficiency while remaining fully compliant with applicable laws and international reporting standards.

Jonathan is particularly recognized for developing sophisticated cross-border planning solutions that combine international tax strategy with corporate, trust, and succession planning for complex international families and businesses.

Education

Jonathan L.M. Shaw is a postgraduate of London University, where he obtained a Master’s degree in International Tax, achieving Merit overall together with Distinction (informal) in individual modules focused on international taxation.

Highlights & Recognition

Exclusive Tax (Private Client) Member in Mauritius at IR Global: Jonathan Shaw serves as IR Global’s exclusive Tax (Private Client) representative in Mauritius, reflecting his international recognition in cross-border tax advisory.
Executive Director and Principal of Corporate & Chancery Group Limited: Since 1998, Jonathan has led one of Mauritius’ leading firms specializing in international tax, fiduciary, corporate, and wealth planning services.
Specialist in International Tax Law: With postgraduate qualifications in International Tax from London University and decades of practical experience, Jonathan advises clients on sophisticated international tax planning, corporate structuring, and wealth preservation.
Recognized Adviser for Cross-Border Tax Planning: Jonathan regularly advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and international businesses on tax-efficient investment structures, offshore planning, and international transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
Extensive International Legal Experience: Having practiced in England, Hong Kong, and Mauritius, Jonathan brings decades of experience in commercial law, taxation, trusts, banking, and international business matters.
Leader in International Wealth Structuring: Jonathan has developed bespoke international tax and wealth planning strategies for globally mobile families and multinational clients, integrating tax, corporate, and succession planning into comprehensive cross-border solutions.

FAQ about Jonathan L.M. Shaw

Who is Jonathan L.M. Shaw and what is his professional background?

Jonathan L.M. Shaw is a UK barrister with extensive experience in international tax, trusts, and succession planning. He was called to the English Bar in 1978, practiced in Birmingham, and later relocated to Hong Kong to focus on private practice at the Hong Kong Bar. Later from his trust company in Mauritius was appointed by Credit Suisse to establish and administer their trust operation there, and did so successfully for 20+ years.

What are Jonathan Shaw's main areas of specialty?

His specialties include international tax and trusts, cross-border tax planning, succession for HNWIs and ULTRAs, and the structuring of special purpose vehicles. In particular can make clients ‘invisible’ and unreportable worldwide perfectly legitimately using sophisticated SPVs.

What educational achievements does Jonathan Shaw have?

He is a postgraduate of London University with Merit and an (unofficial) Distinction in International Tax Masters. He was also called to the English Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1978.

What leadership roles does Jonathan Shaw hold?

He has served as Executive Director and Principal of Corporate & Chancery Group Limited since 1999 and is a key management team member within the firm.

In which jurisdictions does Jonathan Shaw have legal and practice experience?

He has over 33 years of legal practice across multiple jurisdictions including the UK and Hong Kong, involving civil, commercial, revenue, and trust law.

Is Jonathan Shaw recognized for expertise in any particular area of international tax?

Yes, he is recognized as an expert in cross-border tax planning, offshore transactions, and the use of special purpose vehicles for high net worth individuals and Ultras.