The ‘exceptional team’ at Birketts LLP is co-headed by Chris Coupland in Norwich and Annabelle Route in Chelmsford. The team advises on a wide spectrum of matters within the agriculture sector such as natural capital projects, mitigation agreements, and refinancing mandates. Charlotte Strutt has experience assisting clients with diversification projects, while Katie Gibson-Green specialises in succession and tax planning work. Adam Burden and Samantha Barnes are also skilled members of the team, who both focus on agricultural property work, including agricultural tenancies as well as the selling and purchasing of farms.

Praised for its ‘outstanding legal practice’, Boodle Hatfield LLP is a go-to firm for clients seeking advice regarding landed estates, farms, and country houses. Described as ‘an exceptional solicitor who is at the top of her game’, Natasha Hassall leads the team in Oxford, and is recommended for tax planning, trusts, and estate planning work. Sally Harlow and Henry Tester are also integral members of the team; Harlow has experience advising on agricultural property relief as well probate matters, while Tester regularly assists clients with trust administration issues. The team also advises on diversification and development projects within the sector.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP continues to prove itself as a leading firm in the sector. The team regularly advises clients with landed estates on various matters, including tax structuring, heritage property issues, and complex trusts. The team in Guildford is co-headed by Duncan Elson and Oliver Auld, who are both recommended for litigation relating to trusts. William Marriott is noted for his experience in handling high-value transactions for country houses. Tom Denham-Smith is a further standout lawyer, who is a member of the Agricultural Law Association; he regularly assists clients with succession disputes.

With a strong practice based in Oxford, Freeths LLP advises on a wide range of matters in the agricultural sector such as tax planning work, trusts, and employment law. The team also regularly handles acquisitions and development projects relating to agricultural land. Leading the practice, Iain Davis frequently caters to landowners, farmers, and landed estates. Clare Bellis focuses on development and tenancy disputes within the rural sector. Laura Czapski is another key member of the team; she handles a variety of property work for agricultural clients, which includes advice on easements, farming tenancies, and the sale of land.

Tees Law houses a team of experts that regularly handles a variety of matters within the agricultural sector such as partnership agreements, farming employment contracts, agricultural tenancies, and estate planning issues. The team also advises on diversification schemes, including renewable energy projects. Leading the practice, Letty Glaister is based in Royston; she is highly experienced in advising on succession planning, while Daniel Fairs is recommended for the acquisition and disposal of farms. Tom Moulsdale and Ian Johnston are further key members of the team; Johnston frequently advises farming families on probate matters, while Moulsdale is noted for his experience in development agreements. Victoria Sandberg joined the practice in October 2024.

Birkett Long LLP excels at handling diversification schemes within the agriculture sector such as renewable energy projects and commercial leases. Further to this, the team routinely advises on taxes and succession planning issues. Caroline Dowding leads the team in Colchester, and has a broad range of experience, including probate matters, trust administration issues, and partnership agreements. Emma Coke is noted for her ability to navigating complex property transactions in the rural sector. The team was strengthened by the addition of Samuel Flower, who joined the team in May 2023 from Aquabridge.

Brachers has a long-standing history with catering to clients in the agriculture sector. Heading up the team in Maidstone, Sarah Gaines has more than two decades of experience advising on agricultural land transactions as well as development projects. Christopher Eriksson-Lee focuses on succession planning work and family trusts. Sarah Mannooch is another integral member of the team, and handles estate administrations, inheritance tax planning work, and trusts. The practice routinely advises landed estates and farming families.

Cripps advises on a wide range of matters within the agricultural and rural sectors, including grazing agreements, farm sales, commercial leases, and succession planning issues. Described as ‘passionate, driven, and extremely knowledgeable in her field’, Sally Firby leads the team in Tunbridge Wells and focuses on high-value property transactions. Kate Arnold and Paul Fairbairn are further standout lawyers; Fairbairn is recommended for tax matters, while Arnold regularly advises on trusts. The team is also familiar with diversification schemes and has experience assisting clients with development projects.

The rural and agriculture team at Irwin Mitchell advises on tax and succession planning work, agricultural tenancies, employment disputes, and nitrate neutrality schemes. The team is co-led by James Laycock in Leeds and James Pavey, who splits his time between the offices in Gatwick and London. Pavey leads the national rural team at the firm, and has a broad range of experience assisting clients with property transactions and development opportunities within the sector. Naomi Neville is also noted for her capabilities with complex tax issues and estate planning work.

Moore Barlow has in-depth experience advising clients in the rural sector such as farmers, landowners, country house estates, and equestrian businesses. Sarah Jordan leads the team in Southampton; she regularly handles matters relating to agricultural tenancies, diversification schemes, and asset management for landed estates. Charlotte Brackley splits her time between Woking and London. With nearly two decades of experience in the field, Brackley is well versed in navigating high-value property transactions in the rural sector, including farms and country houses. Philip Whitcomb left the team in July 2023.

Thompson Smith and Puxon houses ‘a strong team of professionals’ that advises on diversification opportunities, rural property sales, and estate planning work. Practicing in Colchester, Stephen Firmin heads up the practice with more than three decades of experience in the field. Noted for being ‘extremely good with options and development work’, Kerry Addison routinely advises clients on high-value land transactions. Fiona Ashworth is recommended for matters relating to succession planning, taxation, and trusts, and Kriti Sherchan regularly assists the team with rural site acquisitions and land development schemes.

With its ‘knowledgeable rural team that is experienced in a wide range of areas’, Thrings LLP is a go-to firm for clients needing assistance with the purchasing of high-value estates, sporting rights, and agricultural tenancies. Based in Romsey, Mark Charter and Jonathan Thompson are both experts in their field; Charter frequently advises farmers and estate owners on land transactions and development opportunities such as solar farms and battery storage projects, while Thompson is recommended for succession planning and farm management issues. The practice is headed up by Duncan Sigournay in Bath.

Trethowans LLP has a depth of experience assisting with the sale and acquisition of country houses, estates, and farms. Based in Salisbury, Marcus Thorpe has a broad range of expertise; he advises on tenancies, equestrian matters, and property transactions. Mihiri Gajraj focuses on tax and estate planning issues, while Kathryn Evans routinely handles employment matters for clients in the agricultural sector. Kelvin Farmaner is recommended for litigation relating to the agricultural and equine industries, and Amanda Inch is a further notable lawyer with experience advising on sporting rights and development opportunities within the rural sector.

Warners Solicitors is a go-to firm for clients in the agricultural and rural sectors seeking advice on a range of matters, including contentious and non-contentious property issues. The team is spearheaded by Steve Colville in Tonbridge. Michael McNally is noted for his expertise in the equestrian industry, and Tim Ryan is recommended for criminal matters relating to farming regulation violations and wildlife offences. Gail Hall is a further standout lawyer, who advises farming families on succession planning, trusts, and inheritance tax.

The ‘excellent’ agriculture and rural land practice at Field Seymour Parkes LLP is headed up by Hazel Eccles in Reading. The team regularly advises on farming partnership agreements, inheritance tax planning work, and acquisitions, and Eccles is skilled in acting for farmers, landowners, and landed estates on matters relating to property transactions and diversification opportunities. James Burgess and Rob Crowther are also key members of the team; Crowther focuses on probate and tax issues and, with more than three decades of experience in the field, Burgess is particularly adept at handling rural development projects.

Described as ‘one of the strongest agricultural and estates practices in Hertfordshire’, Longmores Solicitors LLP handles a diverse range of work in the sector, which includes employment contracts, tenancy disputes, grazing licenses, and development opportunities. Richard Horwood is recommended for his capabilities with inheritance tax planning, will drafting, and succession issues.

The agriculture and rural business practice at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP is led by managing partner Richard Cripps in Kent. The team is particularly skilled at handling property transactions, including diversification projects as well as farm sales and purchases. Bruce Clarke is another notable member of the team, and has experience advising on tax and succession planning issues, estate administration work, and personal wealth management mandates.

Located in Banbury, Guy Stephenson heads up the agriculture and estates practice at SE-Solicitors. The team has a breadth of experience advising on wealth and succession planning issues, farm sales and purchases, farming partnership agreements, and countryside stewardship schemes. Stephenson is skilled at navigating complex property transactions; he is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association. Jennie Loynes left the firm in April 2023.

Thomson Snell & Passmore has experience advising on agricultural tenancies, sporting rights, employment matters, and development projects. Penelope Edgar leads the ‘very professional’ practice in Tunbridge Wells; with a broad skillset, Edgar routinely assists with the sale and acquisition of rural property, commercial leases, and farming agreements. Leading the probate team, Helen Stewart specialises in estate and trust matters, while Robert Trench is also noted for advising on non-contentious property matters within the rural and agricultural sectors.