Agriculture and estates in East Anglia

Ashtons Legal

Ashtons Legal fields a comprehensive agriculture and estates team that makes a distinct division between transactional and succession work, reflecting the continued increase in mandates received on both sides. The duo of Simon Cunningham and Rebecca Gatens coordinate transactional matters; natural capital projects, renewables, and other energy projects are strengths for Cunningham, while Gatens has specialist knowledge of development and overage projects for farmers and landowners. Jeanette Dennis heads the wider agriculture and estates team, as well as the succession sub-group. Her recent caseload has included a variety of tenancy reorganisations, and farm partnership matters. Ayesha Brown  plays a key role in the successions team, and Fenella Eddell has strength in succession and public access for farming families. Karen Bacon, Abbie Wiseman and Oliver Jones are among the other names to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jeanette Dennis


Autres avocats clés:

Simon Cunningham; Karen Bacon; Rebecca Gatens; Ayesha Brown; Fenella Eddell; Abbie Wiseman; Oliver Jones


Les références

‘I have worked on complicated matters with the team and have enjoyed the calm and sensible way things have been dealt with.’

‘What really stands out for me is the depth and knowledge of the team. They collaborate really well and always have someone ready to help, no matter how niche the request is. The other thing I really value is that they listen. If something isn’t quite right or as expected, there is no hesitation from them to put it right as quickly as possible.’

‘Each person within the firm has their own strengths and knows how to apply it. Similarly, they have no issue working collaboratively with their wider team. When I refer to ‘them’ it is never the singular individual but rather the team. It’s a lovely situation to be in.’

Principaux clients

Tyler Hill Solar Limited


Property Recycling Group Plc


Birketts LLP

Norwich-based expert in agriculture property law Chris Coupland heads the nationwide agriculture and estates practice at Birketts LLP. The ‘extensive team of knowledgeable agricultural and property experts’ covers the gamut of matters in the field and is frequently sought after by private families, banks, utility companies, charities, the Environment Agency and local authority clients across the country. Jack Royall heads the broader private client division at the firm from its Norwich office, while in Ipswich, James Dinwiddy specialises in agricultural property matters relating to freehold sales and purchases, and landlord and tenant issues. Tom Verrill and Jeremy Stanton are both notable contacts for landowner clients, and Sophia Key in the natural capital team acts for farmers, landowners and banks.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chris Coupland


Autres avocats clés:

Rachel Mc Killop-Wilkin; Jack Royall; James Dinwiddy; Tom Verrill; Jeremy Stanton; Sophia Key


Les références

‘Birketts have a large skilled agriculture and estates team who can be relied upon to deliver solid legal advice in a straightforward way on the most complex of issues. The range of professionals and services ensures that all of the skill sets are covered and the interaction between the teams to deliver combined advice is exceptional.’

‘Jack Royall and Chris Coupland are stand out partners heading strong teams. They are approachable and bring straight-forward advice to complex situations. They delegate effectively to their large teams whilst maintaining contact throughout any project.’

‘I value the strong knowledge base and communication skills.’

HCR Hewitsons

The client list of the substantial agriculture and estates team at HCR Hewitsons is populated by rural landowners, and owners of some of the largest farms and businesses in the country. The practice is equipped to cover the full range of work in this area, from high-value transactions and long-term strategic advice, to agricultural litigation and land disputes. At the helm of the practice, Emily Pumfrey  and Denise Wilkinson both come with acclaim for their ‘excellent quality of service’ and are both adept at acting on complex property and family issues in the rural sector. James Frankland has particular expertise in farm business tenancies, Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and natural capital, while at a more junior level, Sam Mitchell supports the team on the full scope of matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Emily Pumfrey; Denise Wilkinson


Autres avocats clés:

James Frankland; Sam Mitchell


Les références

‘The practice offers a high level of service and has significant staff resources in the niche area of renewable development.’

‘I have worked with both Denise Wilkinson and Emily Pumfrey jointly representing a client. Both Denise and Emily provided an excellent quality of service that was distinctive in respect of their level of expertise, due diligence, eye for detail and the way in which they were able to explain complex points of detail in simple terms for everyone’s benefit, including out client.’

‘The team are very skilled at dealing with arrangements that our outside of the ordinary, considering the implications for us as clients, but also the alternatives to reach our desired outcome.’

Principaux clients

RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) (England and Wales)


The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire)


The Rochester Bridge Trust (Kent, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire & Yorkshire)


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Rochester Bridge Trust on the disposal of farmland in Kent with outline consent for 135 dwellings.
  • Representing BAWAG in challenging the Environment Agency’s reduction in water abstraction licences across the Norfolk Broads.
  • Spearheading the pilot schemes and development of Landscape Recovery, across RSPB reserves nationally.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP‘s agribusiness practice regularly acts for traditional farming clients, as well as several Cambridge and Oxford colleges, pension funds, landed estates, and a number of substantial national farming businesses. The firm’s offices in Cambridge and Norwich provide strong on-the-ground support for work in East Anglia and practitioners are well versed in matters across the country. Michael Aubrey in Cambridge and Catherine Scott in Norwich are joint leaders of the practice; Aubrey excels in advising institutional and corporate landowners, and farming families and businesses on structuring transactions, infrastructure and development projects, as well as large-scale renewable energy projects; while Scott has a strong reputation locally in representing farms and estates across the country. The ‘thorough and diligent’ Nicola Dernie and transactional expert Dawn Chapman are among the other key figures in a sizeable team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michael Aubrey; Catherine Scott


Autres avocats clés:

Nicola Dernie; Nichola Ross; Dawn Chapman; Harriet Brittain-Lewis; Emily Horn; Amanda Tagg


Les références

‘Quality and prudent advice, timescales and client expectations well managed.’

‘Nicola Dernie was thorough, diligent, and proportionate with her approach. She cut through the nonsense to ensure a timely and satisfactory outcome in tricky circumstances.’

‘The team’s knowledge and proactive thought process is second to none.’

Principaux clients

Christ Church, Oxford


Glemham Hall Estate


Albanwise Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Christ Church, Oxford on purchase of a strategic site comprising 442 acres of land at Bainton, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
  • Advised the Glenham Hall Estate on the sale of a country house estate.
  • Advised Albanwise Limited and various group companies on its 35,000 acre agricultural portfolio.

Mishcon de Reya LLP

The ‘assured and thorough’ team at Mishcon de Reya LLP is a robust choice for all matters concerning rural private estates, and its Cambridge office is a key location for the firm’s nationwide offering. Farm transactions, landed estate management, secured lending, and Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy work are among the strengths of the practice, which acts for a host of domestic and international clients. Rupert Melville-Ross is the leading figure in Cambridge and is one of the best-regarded, longstanding figures in the market. The ‘extremely diligent’ Andrew Williamson is also a key name, and both Louise Moore and Thomas Andrews provide regular support to partners.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rupert Melville-Ross


Autres avocats clés:

Andrew Williamson; Louise Moore; Thomas Andrews; Rosie Reynolds


Les références

‘The team at Mishcon de Reya are assured and thorough, whilst always being personable. They have been a joy to work with.’

‘The team are extremely knowledgeable and dynamic solutions are always found to solve problems for our clients. Communication is exceptional, we can always reach a member of the team if we have a query. The standard of the work is first class and it is extremely helpful to be able to draw on the wider teams at Mishcon with more complex client work.’

‘Always available and a problem solving approach. The team are highly intelligent.’

Greene & Greene

Based in Bury-St-Edmunds, Greene & Greene fields an agricultural and rural affairs team that has ‘a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the agricultural sector’. From farm sales and purchases, Settled Land Act estates work, and succession planning, to advice on agricultural tenancy issues and taxation, the team can be regarded as a one-stop-shop for its client base of estate owners and investors. Practice head Jonathan Mathers is a well-known practitioner in East Anglia and acts for individuals, families, farming partnerships and companies, trusts, investors and charities. His team includes Wayne PerrinJames Southward, and Julia Cardy.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jonathan Mathers


Autres avocats clés:

Wayne Perrin; James Southward; Julia Cardy


Les références

‘A highly regarded and experienced team with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the agricultural sector.’

‘Very experienced and sensible, with sound judgement.’

‘Jonathan Mathers and James Southward in particular, are highly regarded within the sector.’

Howes Percival LLP

Landowners, family farming companies, trusts and partnerships make up the core client base of Howes Percival LLP‘s agriculture and estate department in Norwich. Under the leadership of Katharine Danks, the team frequently assists with agricultural holdings act matters, farm business tenancies, acquisitions and disposals, and secured lending on agricultural land and entitlements. Stuart Maggs has considerable experience dealing with landed estates, high-net-worth individuals and business owners, and at more junior levels, Katie Phillippo and Georgina Bullock come with client acclaim.

Responsables de la pratique:

Katharine Danks


Autres avocats clés:

Stuart Maggs; Esther Round; Katie Phillippo; Abigail Lambert; Georgina Bullock


Les références

‘Georgina Bullock accepted the challenge and walked me through that deal. It was as though she had done this 100 times before. Georgina would be my first choice for any further deals that I may do.’

‘Very approachable and keen to get to a workable solution to issues as they arose.’

‘I have worked extensively with Katie Phillippo on two major transactions. She has always been able to summarise the material issues that have arisen during the conveyancing process and looked to work to address the specific points giving me her opinion on what should be done where appropriate.’

Principaux clients

The Cholmondeley Estate


Roythornes Solicitors

Roythornes Solicitors continues to support a range of clients in the East Midlands through a period of numerous legislation changes, and acts on property transactions, succession planning, farm business structures, and tax planning. The team is led by a trio of lawyers: rural property law expert Claire Hindmarsh; Julie Robinson, the agriculture team head; and natural resources lawyer Edd Johnson. Matthew Hesketh is a key contact for institutional and other landed estates, and both Darren Gill and Mary Sargent provide strong support. Julie Hoy joined from Birketts LLP in August 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Claire Hindmarsh; Julie Robinson; Edd Johnson


Autres avocats clés:

Matthew Hesketh; Darren Gill; Mary Sargent; Julie Hoy


Les références

‘Agricultural expertise covering a wide range of topics, delivering concise advice in complex negotiations.’

‘Access to relevant expertise on complex areas of law. Wide experience of agricultural law – sound advice and able to present nuanced argument and present clients with a balanced assessment of the case under consideration.’

Principaux clients

The Environmental Farmers Group


Elveden Estate


Huntingdon Freemen’s Trust


Countryside Alliance


National Sheep Association


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for the executors of an estate in pushing through a sale of farmland and buildings ahead of the budget on 29 October.
  • Advising a landowner in the Cambridge Fens on habitat bank creation for biodiversity net gain through to registration of the site on the Natural England Biodiversity Gain Register and sales of biodiversity units.
  • Advising a large conservation charity in relation to the phased surrender of an Agricultural tenancy of approx 300 acres of farmland, farmyard and farmstead in Hertfordshire.

Tees Law

Practitioners at Tees Law‘s Cambridge office work closely with those in the firm’s stellar agriculture and estates offering in Royston to form a practice group that handles nationwide matters of estate administration, succession planning, and agriculture sector transactions, among other areas. Catherine Mowat is an experienced name for the management of rural estates. She co-leads the team with ‘outstanding communicator’ Alex Waples, accomplished counsel to individual farmers, farming partnerships and corporate entities; and James Dowson, who is well versed in land deals.

Responsables de la pratique:

Catherine Mowat; James Dowson; Alex Waples


Autres avocats clés:

Chris Claxton-Shirley


Les références

‘Personal attention. A broad area of capabilities.’

‘Empathy! This is often missing but Tees are very attentive and human.’

‘Good team of people across agriculture and estates. Good spread of office across East Anglia.’

Principaux clients

Russell Smith Farms


Audley End Estates


The Middleditch Family


Rand Brothers/ Rand Contracting Limited


Troston Farms Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for a large farming estate on four acquisitions.
  • Provided strategic estate planning and property advice for a farming family worth in excess of £100m.

Barker Gotelee

The ‘consistently excellent advice’ of Andrew Nicholson and Miles Coates is a draw for clients of Barker Gotelee in Ipswich. Nicholson heads its agriculture and estates practice, which acts for large farming companies and estates, and he has particular expertise in dealing with partitions of partnership assets. The team was bolstered in August 2024 with the addition of Catherine Abbott from Ellisons.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Nicholson


Autres avocats clés:

Miles Coates; Catherine Abbott; Barker Gotelee


Les références

‘A relatively small firm that really punches above its weight – an excellent team with good technical knowledge across the property and agricultural sectors.’

‘Miles Coates and Andrew Nicholson – both very highly regarded and go to lawyers, who offer consistently excellent advice and with a reputation of getting deals over the line in an efficient and timely manner.’

Fraser Dawbarns

Fraser Dawbarns is a reliable choice of counsel for farmers across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, its practice well versed in sale and purchase work, tenancy matters, and licensing. Daniel Ball heads the team and is a specialist in agricultural law, while also offering renewable energy project experience. Jenny Ball assists with agricultural property transactions, particularly for landowners in renewable energy projects; and commercial litigator Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin also has experience in the agriculture sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Daniel Ball


Autres avocats clés:

Jenny Ball; Joshua Shuardson-Hipkin; Danielle Dennis-Betts


Les références

‘The firm’s regional focus helps them stand out as one of the best local firms. Bigger than a single-office or ‘one man band’ business, but not so large that they’re swamped with too much work.’

‘Daniel Ball’s commitment to capacity and focus is super impressive. His response times are first class.’

‘They have a wide knowledge on dealing with sustainable renewable energy deals and have proven invaluable when it has come to negotiations and getting the right deal for me.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for a landowner on the sale of farmland for £1m, with contingent consideration reserved in relation to future mineral extraction.
  • Acted on the transfer of a farm with a value of circa £10m from father to son.

Spire Solicitors LLP

Based in Attleborough, Spire Solicitors LLP, Carl Heywood is the name to note for agriculture law and estates work, for which the practice is instructed by a variety of landowners. Work commonly includes estate planning, tenancy succession claims and disputes, and issues arising from complex partnerships and contracts.

Responsables de la pratique:

Carl Heywood


Autres avocats clés:

Mary Podd