Private Foundations: Law & Practice

Book excerpt: Private Foundations: Law and Practice is unique; it is the first book to examine and provide guidance on the characteristics of this innovative personal investment vehicle. Superficially, private foundations are sometimes referred to as an incorporated trust or as a company without shareholders. This book will show that these are dangerous approximations. Private foundations, derived from the civil law foundation, a structure of ancient origin, are worthy of a dedicated textbook. Whilst founded on a common basic idea, private foundations show important variations in each jurisdiction in which they have been introduced by legislation. The author has many years experience in designing, applying and regulating structures in international investment and lecturing on the law and practice of trusts, private foundations and related topics, academically and to commercial clients.