Led by agriculture and landed estates expert Rupert Jackson in Liverpool, Brabners LLP is praised by clients as ‘both extremely knowledgeable with regards to the law and very commercially aware'. The group advises a wide variety of rural clients on the full range of agriculture and estates-related matters, and it has particular expertise in matters relating to planning, environmental issues, and construction, as well as tax and property litigation. It regularly acts for commercial entities who own or acquire land for commercial purposes. The ‘extremely diligent' Charles Hansford in Preston is highly experienced in all types of commercial property, specialising in landed and agricultural estates, and is also an expert in the law relating to mines and minerals. Fern Bullock in Liverpool is another key contact for individuals, companies, and landowning estates who are seeking advice on matters relating to the development, sale, and acquisition of land, as well as mandates involving landlords and tenants.

Based in Gadbrook Park in Northwich, the ‘great team' at Butcher & Barlow LLP is knowledgeable across a broad range of agricultural matters, with particular expertise in the sale of land, overage clauses, and promotion agreements. The group also advises landed estates on agricultural holdings and farm business tenancies, and has significant experience in instructions relating to the granting and renewal of mineral leases for mining apparatus. Mike Bracegirdle, whose ‘knowledge is superb', leads the agriculture and rural affairs group. The team also includes Rebecca Jepson, who specialises in commercial and agricultural property and business transactions, and agriculture specialist Graham Gigg. Rachel Clements joined in March 2023 and is seasoned in a variety of matters relating to agriculture and property.

Benefiting from its large and experienced private client team, Myerson Solicitors advises on a broad range of matters in the agricultural and rural business communities with ‘real depth of experience and expertise’. Based in Alrincham, the group includes Andrew Brown, who assists a broad range of agricultural and rural clients with matters relating to rural business, succession planning, and constitutional documentation, and Clara Staunton advises agricultural families and rural business clients on wills, trusts, and inheritance tax planning mandates. Other key contacts include Joanne Perritt, who leads the real estate group, and the ‘extremely impressive’ head of the contentious probate department Helen Thompson.

The specialised rural team at Napthens LLP has extensive experience advising clients on a broad range of agricultural matters, such as issues relating to farms, land, property, business, and estate planning.  Praised by clients for its ‘agricultural knowledge, empathy with clients and a proactive approach’, the group is also seasoned in assisting with energy projects on farms. Andrew Holden leads the firm’s rural business team and is a specialist in land and agricultural property transactions. Holden also advises clients on renewable energy scheme matters, as well as landowners in development agreements. James Stocker is also a key practitioner in the rural group.

Aaron & Partners LLP provides a ‘professional and efficient service’ to rural businesses and private clients on a broad range of agricultural and estate issues, and the group has specialist knowledge in matters relating to renewable projects, land acquisition for utility projects, and mineral registration and extraction projects. In Chester, the group is co-led by Joseph Fletcher-Hunt, who heads the agricultural and rural group and is experienced in a broad range of property matters, and Simon Ellis, who specialises in the real estate aspects of rural affairs. The ‘outstanding’ Brent Williams, who is experienced in all aspects of commercial and agricultural property and also advises on issues arising from horse-racing and the breeding industry, is another key contact.

Praised by clients as a ‘modern and forward-thinking firm with a strong agricultural team‘, the practice at DTM Legal LLP boasts a seasoned group of litigators with extensive experience in estate management issues, rural infrastructure projects, and energy development projects. Anna Duffy leads the group in Liverpool and is a property litigation expert who assists clients with settling disputes relating to agricultural land and farming businesses. In Chester, Paul Makinson is a farm and agricultural land purchases specialist, and Helen Nash is highly experienced in energy and utility work, including onshore gas exploration issues.

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand has a specialist agriculture end estate department that frequently collaborates with its private client and commercial property groups to ensure a holistic service is provided to clients. The team acts for farming business owners, estate owning families, and institutional landowners across the full range of agricultural matters. The group is led from Lancaster by agricultural expert John Myers, and he is supported by Clare Love, who specialises in property and private client work with an emphasis on agricultural land, estates, and succession.

The ‘thoroughly modern and forward-thinking' Temple Heelis has an expert group experienced in agricultural matters. With particular knowledge of the Lake District, the group assists a diverse set of clients on the full range of agricultural affairs. It also has unique knowledge in the hospitality and leisure sectors, with mandates concerning water systems and apparatus issues, and issues relating to Agricultural Relief and Stamp Duty Land Tax also falling within their strong capabilities. Land and property specialist Peter Dodd leads the group and is ‘experienced, thorough, pragmatic and approachable'. Dodd has extensive experience advising high-net-worth individuals on rural matters such, as farming and agricultural business.