STEP Mauritius

This year’s STEP Conference took an innovative turn with a fully AI-generated session—a first for STEP and, based on your feedback, the highlight of the conference. Many of you have asked how we did it, so here’s the story of how we brought this ambitious idea to life. It all started with an idea: why not let AI itself explore the transformative role of technology, specifically artificial intelligence, in trust and estate practices? This year’s STEP Conference became the perfect platform for this experiment, and, as many of you shared, the AI-driven session was the highlight of the conference. Here’s how we made it happen together. We began by uploading the STEP program to ChatGPT, explaining the mission of STEP, the work its members do, and the significance of estate planning and fiduciary services in today’s landscape. We encouraged ChatGPT to research further into STEP, estate planning, and our industry. Once the context was set, we provided the title of the presentation, and ChatGPT proposed a structure that was remarkably on point, needing no amendments. With the structure in place, we then requested ChatGPT to generate detailed content in slide format, followed by a fully scripted version. Next, ChatGPT suggested tools to enhance both the design and delivery of the presentation, including Synthesia 2.0 for an avatar-driven experience. We followed this advice, resulting in a visually engaging, fully AI-generated session led by ‘Alicia Irwing.’ The result? A compelling demonstration of AI in action, illustrating not only how technology is shaping the future of our industry but also the potential of AI in content creation, professional presentations, and knowledge-sharing. Here’s the full video—thank you to all who joined us and engaged with this unique session. And a special thanks to ChatGPT for making this vision a reality. Enjoy, and let us know your thoughts!

An interesting session coming up at the STEP Mauritius Conference which has been a huge success so far!

Our surprise speaker for our session on Artificial Intelligence will be revealed in 15 minutes at the STEP Mauritius conference. Stay tuned!

We’re just one week away from the STEP Mauritius Conference 2024, and we’re thrilled to announce that we already have over 150 confirmed attendees! This year’s conference promises to be one of our most impactful yet, with a strong lineup of speakers and sessions covering key topics such as succession planning, global tax compliance, ESG, and the role of AI in transforming trust and estate practices. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the latest trends shaping our profession. Register now and be part of this important event! #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #TrustsAndEstates #WealthManagement #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment

Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Honorable Soomilduth Bholah, Minister of Financial Services, Republic of Mauritius. We will be honored to welcome the Minister of Financial Services of the Republic of Mauritius as the keynote speaker for the STEP Mauritius Conference. With deep involvement in the regulatory and financial developments of Mauritius, the Minister will address the critical developments and strategic direction of the financial services sector. This keynote will provide invaluable insights into the government’s vision for the future of Mauritius as a leading international financial hub, with a focus on key reforms, innovation in financial services, and the role of Mauritius in the global economy. #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #KeynoteSpeaker #MauritiusFinancialServices #FinancialSector #GlobalFinancialHub

🎤 Final Session Spotlight: In the concluding session of our forthcoming STEP Mauritius Conference, Sharmil Shah, Chairman of STEP Mauritius will chair a distinguished panel comprising of Kelly Greig, Harry Joffe, Richard Grasby 吳理察德 TEP CAMS and Ahmed Bhurtun to discuss Wealth Tax: Global Proposals and Practical Realities. The panelists will delve into the latest global proposals for wealth taxation, examining their economic impacts and the practical challenges of implementing wealth taxes across different jurisdictions. This session will provide critical insights into wealth tax strategies, compliance, and global trends, offering actionable advice for practitioners. #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #WealthTax #TaxCompliance #WealthManagement #SharmilShah #HarryJoffe #KellyGreig #RichardGrasby #AhmedBhurtun

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Shameem Abdoolakhan, Training & Technical Director, Axis Fiduciary Ltd, former Chairman of STEP Mauritius We are excited to have Shameem Abdoolakhan at the STEP Mauritius Conference for Session 15 on Transitioning Trustee Responsibilities: Ensuring Seamless Succession. Shameem will address the key challenges and best practices involved in transitioning trustee responsibilities, including handling disputes and ensuring smooth succession. This session will provide valuable insights for trustees and advisors dealing with changes in trustee roles. Join this session to learn how to navigate the complexities of trustee transitions effectively. #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #TrusteeSuccession #WealthManagement #ShameemAbdoolakhan #Trusts

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Arun Kutowaroo, Barrister, Kutowaroo Chambers We are pleased to have Arun Kutowaroo at the STEP Mauritius Conference for Session 14 on Modern Estate Planning in Mauritius: Leveraging VCCs, LPs, and CLGs for Optimal Wealth Management. Arun will explore how Variable Capital Companies (VCCs), Limited Partnerships (LPs), and Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs) can be effectively utilized for estate planning in Mauritius. He will demonstrate how these structures provide flexibility, asset protection, and management efficiencies, offering innovative solutions for wealth management and compliance. This session is essential for anyone involved in estate planning and wealth management. #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #EstatePlanning #WealthManagement #VCCs #LPs #CLGs #ArunKutowaroo

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Karl Bekusch, Executive Director, Ocorian, Jersey We are excited to welcome Karl Bekusch to the STEP Mauritius Conference for Session 12 on ESG and Trustees: Navigating New Compliance Landscapes. Karl will delve into how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are reshaping the responsibilities of trustees. He will explore the intersection of ESG principles with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and how trustees can navigate this evolving compliance landscape. Join this session to learn about the growing role of ESG in trust management and compliance. #STEPMauritiusConference2024 #ESG #Trustees #Compliance #KarlBekusch #WealthManagement

Interesting judgement which goes against previous case law, particularly the rulings in Pink v Lawrence (1978) and Stack v Dowden (2007 UKHL 17), which asserted that a common intention constructive trust cannot be invoked to contradict an express declaration of trust. These cases established that constructive trusts only apply where there is no express trust, and an express declaration is generally conclusive unless it is rectified, rescinded, varied by subsequent agreement, or affected by proprietary estoppel. In Cynberg v HMRC, the judge ruled that an oral agreement could displace an express declaration of trust through the creation of a common intention constructive trust, marking a departure from the prior case law's more rigid stance.