Introducing Paul Clark TEP
Paul Clark TEP is the Managing Director of Spall Clark Solicitors, a specialist private client practice in Congleton, Cheshire.
Paul grew up in Loughton, Essex and went to university in Leicester. He began his legal career at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Sheffield where he worked as a paralegal in the Trusts and Probate department before moving to Jackson Barrett and Gass Solicitors in Wilmslow. He qualified as a solicitor in May 2016 and later moved to Jobling Gowler Solicitors in Macclesfield where he became a partner in their private client department.
He founded Spall Clark Solicitors in 2019 as a boutique specialist private client practice and is currently the managing director.
Professional Recognition
Paul is a full member of STEP, a member of the Law Society Private Client and Estates Member Advisory Committee and has been shortlisted for professional awards including Private Client Leader of the Year at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2026. Articles he has written have been published in the Law Gazette and the Private Client Section Magazine.
STEP qualified Private Client Solicitor
Paul completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates and became a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) in 2016. As a full member he is entitled to use the designation ‘TEP’ which denotes him as a solicitor with specialist expertise in trusts and estates
As well as completing the STEP Diploma, he has also completed the STEP Advanced Certificate in Cross Border Estates.
Read our article about why it is important to use a STEP qualified solicitor.
The Law Society
Paul is a longstanding member of the Law Society’s Private Client and Estates Member Advisory Committee where he contributes to the direction of training, events and best practice within the private client profession.
A key focus of Paul’s work through the Law Society has been cross‑border estates and international private client issues. He has supported the Law Society’s cross‑border programme and has been involved in shaping and facilitating cross‑border discussions, including chairing webinars and co-chairing the Law Society Cross Border Conference. He has recently written a cross border article for their magazine.
He has also been involved in organising events such as the annual Private Client Conference where has chaired the cross border workshop. He was also part of the working committee formulating the Law Society’s response to the governments proposal to introduce Electronic Wills.
Awards
Paul was shortlisted for Private Client Practitioner of the Year at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 and has been shortlisted for Private Client Leader of the Year at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2026. Under his leadership Spall Clark won ‘Highly Commended’ for Probate Law Firm of the Year: Boutique at the Probate Industry Awards 2026 and his colleagues have been shortlisted for awards at the STEP Private Client Awards 2025, British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 and the Probate Industry Awards 2026.
Paul has also achieved ‘dementia friend’ status at the Alzheimer’s Society.
Private Client Expertise
Paul has over 17 years of experience in private client and has always specialised in this area of law. He has supported many individuals and families with wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate and estate administration, trusts and inheritance tax planning.
He often deals with clients that have complex issues including high net worth individuals and complex family circumstances e.g. blended families and same sex couples.
His previous experience as a trustee of a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities has meant he is often approached to advise families with children (adult and minor) that have disabilities or other vulnerabilities.
Case Highlights
- Estate planning for business owner with estate worth circa £2m
- Wills for couple with net estate over £4m
- Estate Administration involving homemade Will with failed trusts and partial intestacy
- Estate Administration involving an Inheritance Tax bill of circa £1m
- Advised many other clients with complex issues including surrogacy, frozen eggs/embryos and clients with autism
UK Client Feedback
“When I first met Paul, I had gone through quite a difficult, traumatic time in my life. I found him easy to talk to. He made me feel very comfortable. I felt grateful for his help. Paul was able to answer any questions we asked of him in plain English.”
International Estates
Paul has dealt with many cross border matters including jurisdictions as diverse as France, Ghana and USA. As well as his STEP qualification in Cross Border Estates, he has been actively involved in the Law Society’s Private Client Section cross border programme and has chaired events for them including a webinar focusing on the different UK jurisdictions.
He often works with lawyers in different jurisdictions and has a particular focus on advising UK based clients with assets and family abroad.
Cross Border Case Highlights
- Acting as professional attorney for client with assets in different jurisdictions.
- Preparing Wills for a mixed resident/non-resident couple with assets in three different jurisdictions.
- Probate application for non-resident deceased with assets in four different jurisdictions.
- Acted for numerous UK resident and French resident clients with assets in France and England.
Cross Border Client Feedback
“Paul has been able to assist and put into place my instructions for my updated Will that included a foreign asset. Without this specialist advice my asset would have been vulnerable should I die. I was unable to find a solicitor that could advise me regarding this matter so I was very happy to have found Paul and I would highly recommend him.”
Mentoring and community: supporting people beyond the legal work
Private client work is personal by nature and Paul’s work outside the office reflects that same focus.
Paul is part of the Manchester Metropolitan University “Mentor Me” mentoring scheme where he is currently mentoring a law degree student. As someone who began their legal career without any connections in the legal profession, Paul is passionate about providing the next generation with the opportunity to enter the profession.
Voluntary Work
Paul is also an enthusiastic supporter of the local community. He has volunteered at many charities and was previously the volunteer legacy officer at East Cheshire Hospice where he supported them in collecting in legacies left to them in wills. He has previously been a trustee of SUSO (Speaking up speaking out) in Macclesfield which was a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and has been on the steering committee at Dementia Friendly Sandbach, which aimed to make the town a better place to live for people living with Dementia.
He has continued this community support through Spall Clark and they have supported many local charities including Beartown Rickshaw, Ruby’s Fund and Congleton Tennis Club.
Interview: In conversation with Paul Clark TEP
Working in Private Client
Q: Why did you choose private client law?
Private client work lets you make a real difference to people’s lives. You’re helping families plan, protect what matters to them, and reduce uncertainty, often at emotional moments. I enjoy the technical challenge but what matters most to me is helping people.
Q: What do clients usually want most when they first get in touch?
Most people want reassurance that they’re making the right decisions and that their family will be looked after. My job is to listen first, then turn complex rules into a clear plan in plain English
Cross Border planning
Q: You’re known for cross‑border work. What situations make that essential?
If you have a holiday home abroad, family in another country, or assets held overseas, it’s very easy for plans to conflict. Cross‑border planning is about reducing risk and making things simpler for the people you leave behind.
Q: What’s a common mistake with international estates?
Assuming one will covers everything, or that the rules are “basically the same” across countries. Often, they are completely different and sometimes even the terminology used has a different meaning compared to England. Different jurisdictions may have different inheritance rules, tax concepts and administration requirements, and that’s where careful coordination matters.
Q: How do you make cross‑border planning less stressful for clients?
We act as a hub to bring all advisors together. Clients have one point of contact and a single joined‑up plan that covers all relevant jurisdictions.
Why mentoring and community matter
Q: Why is mentoring important to you?
When I started out on my legal journey, I didn’t have any professional connections or know any lawyers. My journey into the profession was difficult and I feel that I would have benefited from guidance. Volunteering as a mentor is a way I can give back to the profession and help people who are in a similar position to me when I started out in my legal career.
Q: What does “community” mean for you and the firm?
I have lived in Cheshire for around 13 years and I now live and work in Congleton and can see the benefit of supporting local organisations such as our tennis club. Whether it’s hospice support, dementia‑friendly initiatives, or local fundraising events, it’s about contributing to a community that supports people when they need it most.
What Clients Say About Paul Clark
- The process of doing new Wills with Paul felt a very friendly and personal service.
- The process was very professional explained clearly in ‘plain English’ and promptly.
- Paul was able to answer any questions we asked of him in plain English.
- Provided an outstanding, professional service by listening and provided the relevant advice needed in a calm and friendly manner along with a smile.
- Paul Clark has looked after our will making for many years. We have just signed our second set of wills with him. We recommend him very highly.
Paul is currently spending more of his time on management matters and will take the lead on complex matters including providing technical support to other team members.
To book a free initial consultation, please call us on 01260 769 639. Our solicitors will be happy to meet you at our Congleton office or in your own home. Alternatively, meetings can be carried out online (e.g. via Teams).
