On 27 February 2024, the Chair of Company, Foundation, and Trust Law hosted the Liechtenstein Trust Conference for the eighth time. The key topics of the conference were the proposed partial revision of Liechtenstein trust law and current issues in international succession planning.

Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein and Prof. Dr. Francesco A. Schurr guided attendees through the programme, welcoming around sixty participants to the University of Liechtenstein’s auditorium.

Dr. Christian Frommelt, Rector of the University of Liechtenstein, offered inspiring words of welcome and emphasised the importance of trusts and the continuing education offerings of the Liechtenstein Business Law School for the Principality’s financial sector. Susan Schneider-Köder, Managing Director of the Chamber of Trustees, then addressed the impact of current geopolitical developments on trust business. She went on to discuss the legislative reforms to trust law initiated by the Chamber, which were broadly welcomed, particularly with regard to trust governance to prevent control deficits and the proposed creation of a specialised trust law senate. She also stressed the importance of collaboration with the University in training and continuing education, as well as the value of expert-level exchange.

The first speaker, Dr. Albert Kaufmann, Head of the Department for Foundation Supervision and Anti-Money Laundering Prevention, outlined the triggers for the partial revision of trust law and gave an overview of key proposed changes, focusing in particular on the newly introduced “information beneficiary.” Following this, H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein discussed the use of Liechtenstein trusts in succession planning, sharing his expertise and experience. Dr. Johanna Niegel supplemented this by examining the purpose trust in Anglo-American and Liechtenstein law, illustrating to participants the variety of legal design possibilities and the planned provisions within the framework of the reform.

Dr. Filippo Noseda, Judge at the Court for Trusts and Fiduciary Relations in San Marino, highlighted the role of transparency and data protection in the context of recent judicial developments, providing valuable insights for structuring trust relationships. Prof. Dr. Alexandra Butterstein offered valuable reflections on the role of beneficiaries in Liechtenstein trust law, with a comparative focus on maintaining effective trust governance. A subsequent Q&A session allowed for deeper exploration of these topics before participants continued networking during the coffee break.

The second block of topics shifted attention to questions of international succession planning. Dr. Andrea Vicari, President of the Court for Trusts and Fiduciary Relations in San Marino, examined the role of the protector, with particular focus on trusts for succession planning. His talk offered interesting insights into the protector’s duties and responsibilities and how this role can safeguard assets and the interests of beneficiaries. The final presentation of the afternoon came from Prof. Dr. Francesco A. Schurr, who addressed legal challenges related to trusts and compulsory portion rights. This block, too, concluded with an in-depth Q&A session, during which speakers responded to audience questions and discussed aspects of the planned reform with comparative reference to both common law and civil law systems.

The Liechtenstein Trust Conference 2024 concluded with an invitation to a networking apéro, giving participants further opportunities to maintain or expand their professional networks and exchange views with the speakers.