The ‘outstanding team’ at Boodle Hatfield LLP is ‘joined up, exceptional in their respective fields, and offers the very best advice’. It is ably co-led by Saskia Arthur and Hayden Bailey. The team excels in advising on asset protection, devolution, tax, and trust issues for agricultural and rural estates.  It is particularly well-known for its work with some of the largest estates in the country, and continues to advise on significant purchases and sales of agricultural land and landed estates in the UK. In addition, the group is adept at handling disputes concerning the ‘modern family’. It has an excellent reputation for its work with young entrepreneurial heirs and owners of landed estates who are setting up new business ventures in order to diversify their business. Sue Laing is another name to note.

Burges Salmon LLP has an enviable reputation for its work on an array of rural real estate transactions. The agile team also garners praise for its estate-focused tax planning advice, and for its expertise in agricultural dispute resolution. Tom Hewitt  is a trusted adviser to numerous landed estate clients, while Kevin Kennedy is recognised for his work on a range of high-value agricultural disputes. Ross Simpson has a strong track record in handling the disposals and acquisitions of some of the UK’s most significant landholdings and sizeable agricultural portfolios. Jim Aveline is another key member of the department who acts for a sizeable client base of diversified farms and landed estates on numerous tax, estate, and succession matters.

Farrer & Co is at the ‘top of its game’ and has ‘some of the best partners in the industry’. The ‘really excellent team’, which is spearheaded by Simon Pring, routinely acts for land-owning institutions, large estates, rural businesses, and individual landowners. It covers a large range of specialist areas, from the sale and purchase of agricultural estates and substantial country houses, to advising on opportunities arising out of renewable energy schemes. Edmund Fetherston-Dilke advises several major estates on a wide array of residential, agricultural, and business tenancies, and he also advises on other issues relating to agri-environmental schemes and riparian issues. Paul Krafft acts for private, charity, and institutional clients on various agricultural and rural matters, while James Maxwell is recommended for his work on the sale and purchase of rural estates and agricultural land, and is highly regarded for his knowledge of mineral rights. Rose Gurney along with Tom Kirkman are also recommended.

The ‘outstanding, responsive and articulate’ team at Forsters LLP is lauded for its ‘top-end client care’ and ‘clear and proportionate advice’. Led by Henry Cecil, it is renowned for its ability to advise on the sale and purchase of farms and estates for domestic and international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. It also excels in providing land management, tax, and estate structuring advice to these clients, and has considerable expertise in the renewable and environmental sustainability space. Penny Elliott regularly works with overseas investors, institutional property owners, landed estates and high-net-worth individuals. Andrew Lane has a particular focus on capital taxation and succession matters for the owners of landed estates. Christopher Findley has increasingly been advising on planning and development projects for farmers and landowners, while Rupert Mead has a keen interest in the preservation of heritage property and advising on its exemption from tax. Charles Hancock is another name to note.

Under the joint leadership of Bertie Hoskyns-Abrahall and Matthew Woods, the stellar team at Withers LLP acts for over 130 landed estates across England and Wales. These clients range from historic landowners to successful individuals from around the world. It is also increasingly acting for buyers who are purchasing rural land for rewilding purposes. Another growth area is advising clients who are looking at carbon capture opportunities and biodiversity offsetting. The team is well-regarded for its ability to advise on all aspects of rural property transactions. Edward Jarron plays a pivotal role in the department, frequently acting for national and international private individuals, family offices, and corporate clients. David Holland is recommended for his work with various individuals, trusts, and companies on the acquisition and disposal of rural property.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP focuses primarily on providing specialist tax and trust advice for intergenerational succession. The agile team deftly handles all aspects of strategic land purchases and sales for its ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as advising owners on their art collections and heritage properties. Bart Peerless advises many substantial UK land and estate owners, and Henry Fea is also a highly regarded team member. Robert Blower has particular strength in UK heritage tax work, and often advises clients on conditional exemptions and offers in lieu of tax, while William Begley frequently acts for UK and non-UK domiciled clients on a wide range of tax and estate planning matters.

Michelmores LLP has ‘very experienced solicitors who know a great deal about agricultural disputes'. The team regularly advises an array of landed estates, government bodies, public bodies, charitable organisations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients. It is also known for its expertise in natural capital and biodiversity net gain matters. In addition, it frequently acts for new entrants to the market seeking to re-wild the land or combine environmental payments with traditional agriculture. Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams co-head the department. The practice also draws on the expertise of its colleagues to advise on diverse matters from transactional property and contentious agricultural matters, to commercial issues. Josie Edwards was promoted to the partnership in May 2023.

Under the collective leadership of Michael Aubrey, Catherine Scott, and Amanda Tagg, the nimble team at Mills & Reeve LLP acts for many major farming clients, as well as several of the landowning Cambridge and Oxford colleges. Other key clients include several pension funds, numerous prestigious landed estates, and many substantial national farming businesses. This nationwide practice is well-equipped to handle a variety of high-value and complex deals, as well as covering tax and trusts issues, litigation, and food law. Aubrey is well-regarded for his work on major infrastructure and development projects, in addition to large scale renewable energy projects. Paddy Lynam joined the team in September 2024. Tim Ryan is now a consultant.

At Payne Hicks Beach LLP, Simon Blackburn leads a team of ‘excellent communicators’ who ‘will work hard to find solutions to problems’. The group works for the owners of over 50 farms, estates, and country houses varying in size from 150 acres to well over 30,000 acres. Some of these estates are worth over £300m, and many of these estates have houses and grounds that are open to the public. Robert Brodrick acts for the trustees and owners of landed estates on a variety of tax and estate planning matters, while Rosamond McDowell is the trusted legal adviser to a number of substantial landed estate owners. Rupert Burchett is another key member of the department.

At Keystone Law, Samantha Leigh plays a pivotal role in the department. Its agriculture and rural affairs team advises clients across the full spectrum of the rural industry. Clients include private individuals, developers, suppliers, landed estates, charities, manufacturers, and large corporates. Hugh Murphy has a wealth of experience in buying and selling country houses, farms, and agricultural land. Jon Close is another key member of the practice who has particular strength in construction and engineering matters.

The large and experienced team at Moore Barlow advises a variety of landed estates, farmers, private landowners, and equestrian businesses on a wide array of matters. It has a particularly strong real estates offering. The department is ably led by Sarah Jordan, who has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of rural property. Charlotte Brackley is another notable member of the department who has considerable transactional experience in buying and selling farms, agricultural land, and country house estates. Brackley is also skilled at advising on secured lending and strategic refinancing. Edward Whittington is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association.