Leading Partners

Next Generation Partners

Agriculture and estates in Yorkshire And The Humber

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP specialises in private client matters, supporting individuals, families and trusts in complex and high value matters. The group covers a diverse range of real estate transactions and agricultural issues, with expertise in relation to the Environment Act and Agriculture Act, covering carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, and farm restructurings. Team lead Jonathan Attey covers the sale and purchase of farms, diversification schemes, and all issues relating to agricultural tenancies. Key names include Emma Ridge, who is particularly active on behalf of estates, and Joanne Spavin, an expert in private client matters. Will Foley is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jonathan Attey


Autres avocats clés:

Clair Douglas; Angus Hunter Smart; Will Foley; Emma Ridge; Matthew Featherstone; Joanne Spavin


Les références

‘Ability to advise on complex matters in a straight forward way manner, setting out clearly the options and the recommendation.’

‘Angus Hunter Smart and Jonathan Attey intuitively understand how their clients think and what they not only want from their advisers, but also what they want from their property portfolios.’

‘They are well respected by other professionals as being reliable and competent. They remain so without recourse to too much modern wizardry.’

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP

The ‘friendly and approachable’ team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP works on a cross-departmental basis to provide clients with support in a diverse range of matters, including both contentious and non-contentious mandates. Helen Mellors leads the team and is praised for her ‘depth of personal experience.’ Mellors covers sales and purchases of farmland, as well as commercial leases, and a variety of arrangements relating to diversification. Samuel Peake is a key contact for banking clients active in the sector. Susie Mortonson joined from Harrowells Solicitors in May 2023, and brings expertise in PPAs. Sarah Parker is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Helen Mellors


Autres avocats clés:

Claire Ramsden; Samuel Peake; Susie Mortonson; Sarah Parker


Les références

‘The team is friendly and approachable, with a diverse offering to look after client needs.’

‘Helen Mellors and Sarah Parker deal with all of my legal requirements. Both are very personable, with great communication and are efficient on deadlines.’

‘The agriculture and estates team is well skilled and readily available. Service turnaround is markedly better than some other firms.’

Principaux clients

Associated British Ports


Harrowells Solicitors

Harrowells Solicitors is highly active in transactional activity, with expertise in sales, purchases, and refinancings within the agricultural sector. The group provides additional support in matters relating to renewables and energy projects. 'Exceptionally good' Katie Daniel, who leads the team, is experienced in land and property law, including matters relating to the sale and development of land. Former team lead Stephen Proctor remains active within the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Katie Daniel


Autres avocats clés:

Stephen Proctor


Les références

‘Our solicitor had great experience in the field of agricultural sales, which reassured us that the often archaic laws will be adhered to.’

‘A strong team able to cover the breadth of expertise our client-base demands. There is strong synergy with their other departments, such as private client, to ensure their advice is robust. A good geographic spread of offices to ensure clients have the ability to meet their solicitor at mutually convenient locations.’

‘Katie Daniel is a strong communicator and excellent agricultural and landed estates solicitor. Supported by and works alongside a highly experienced team. Approachable and offers practical advice in the transaction process. Gets the job done in the interest of her clients.’

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP acts on behalf of domestic and international clients on mandates across the country, advising on a diverse range of agribusiness matters. The group covers natural capital matters, renewable energy projects, and farming business transactions, among other work. Andrea Newman heads the Leeds team, covering all issues relating to natural capital, renewables, and development agreements. Michael Aubrey heads the team at the national level. Nichola Ross is a core team member, providing key support in numerous diversification projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrea Newman; Michael Aubrey


Autres avocats clés:

Nichola Ross; Vanessa Walton


Les références

‘Mills & Reeve team have always worked to a very high standard. They offer a full range of legal advice and services. We have always found their attention to detail, knowledge, as well as their clear legal advice to be excellent.’

‘We cannot rate Nichola Ross highly enough for the level of service she provides. She is very knowledgeable, works to a very high standard and will ensure all works are accurate and correct before any projects are completed.’

Principaux clients

Northumbrian Water Limited


MHS Farms Limited


Rollits LLP

Rollits LLP‘s team, praised for its 'honesty, punctuality and availability,' advises farmers, families, and estates in issues relating to farm business tenancies, diversification projects, and woodland acquisitions and sales, as well as a range of other contentious and non-contentious matters. Highly experienced team lead Neil Franklin, based in Hull, covers farm sales, purchases, and tenancies, as well as diversification projects. Libby Clarkson has key expertise in renewables projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Neil Franklin


Autres avocats clés:

Libby Clarkson; Ruth Maltby-Sinker


Les références

‘Honesty, punctuality and availability. If you want a straight-talking firm, then Rollits are the firm for you.’

‘Neil Franklin is a well-honed agricultural property specialist who can be trusted with deals of all sizes and complexities.’

‘Very responsive and good at communicating with clients and fellow professional advisors. Good collaboration evident internally to find solutions for the client.’

Principaux clients

HSBC plc


NatWest Bank


Virgin Money


Wilkin Chapman LLP

Wilkin Chapman LLP provides comprehensive support in contentious and non-contentious matters within the agricultural sector. The group covers partnership issues, agricultural tenancies, and manorial rights, as well as advising on property transactions and diversification projects. Katie Wright leads the team from Beverley, and is highly experienced advising on renewables projects, in particular solar and hydrogen. Alistair Latham is a key contact for commercial and succession planning matters. The ‘phenomenal’ Charlotte Boyes specialises in transactional work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Katie Wright


Autres avocats clés:

James Marsden; Alistair Latham; Charlotte Boyes


Les références

‘The team at Wilkin Chapman has both the knowledge and the skills to make transactions run swiftly and smoothly. The team has a diverse skill set with the ability to take on all types of instructions.’

‘Katie Wright and Charlotte Boyes are both great at ensuring the complications of transactions are kept to a minimum, removing an element of stress for the client. They are both very skilled at their job and have the people skills which many professionals seem to lack.’

‘A proactive and client-focused practice – happy to divert from the norm where clients’ requirements dictate a different approach.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a collaboration of landowners on one of the largest solar developments in Europe, with a transaction value of circa £108m.
  • Advised a landowner on one of the first hydrogen production and storage facilities in England, with a transaction value of circa £200m.
  • Acted for a national bank, assisting with finance for a large estate worth circa £30m and owned by various trusts.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell‘s Yorkshire practice operates within the firm’s national agricultural offering, facilitating comprehensive nationwide support. The group has key strength in tax and succession planning matters, and provides a range of property advice within the sector. James Laycock heads the Northern offering, working alongside James Pavey who leads the rural team nationally.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Pavey; James Laycock


Autres avocats clés:

Paula Myers; Laura Pang; Richard Smaller; Kat Wainman


Les références

‘IM is a truly national firm with formidable strength and depth across its various branches. This enables the firm to give specialist advice at the right level, and junior members are mentored and are given assistance by the more experienced practitioners. ’

‘Laura Pang is great with clients and very knowledgeable.’

‘I have been impressed by James Laycock. He is experienced and wise.’

McCormicks

McCormicks, based in Harrogate, covers an array of agricultural issues faced by individuals and estates, with notable expertise in matters relating to shoots. Peter McCormick co-leads the department alongside Elaine Lightfoot, who additionally heads the private client practice within the firm. James Towler advises on restructurings and refinancings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Peter McCormick; Elaine Lightfoot


Autres avocats clés:

James Towler; David Birks


Les références

‘If you want something, it is done fast.’

‘Extremely efficient business with knowledgeable people in all departments. Everything is prompt and to the point.’

‘Peter McCormick – experience and knowledge brilliant, and a good sense of humour in business is excellent. Elaine Lightfoot – a delight to work with and efficient and knowledgeable.’

Principaux clients

The Ripley Castle Shoot


Rudding Park


Sir Thomas & Lady Ingilby of the Ripley Castle estate


WMT


Duke of Edinburgh’s Award


Cheywynde School


Liam Botham


Royal Horticultural Society


Yorkshire Agricultural Society


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the estate of the late John Herbert Strutt and the associated trusts and charities with regards to the potential future development and/or sale of various properties held within the residuary estate.
  • Advised the Ripley Castle Shoot on all relevant aspect of the shoot.
  • Advised the Rudding Park Estate on re-financing of the entire estate, with advice relating to a dispute with the local council over the granting of an entertainment licence to a neighbouring property.

Raworths

Raworths‘ team is noted for its aptitude in dispute resolution in the agricultural sector, with expertise across a diverse range of complex contentious mandates. The group additionally handles non-contentious matters, including land transfers and employment issues. Team head Matthew Hill is ‘incredibly knowledgeable and very well regarded,’ and is particularly adept in disputes. Heather Roberts joined from McCormicks in March 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Matthew Hill


Autres avocats clés:

Heather Roberts; Adam Colville-Robins


Les références

‘Raworths provide the highest level of expertise and support to their clients. They have achieved excellent results for us.’

‘Adam Colville-Robins and Matthew Hill have achieved excellent results for us with their expert technical advice and their thoughtful and thorough approach at every stage.’

‘A knowledgeable and approachable multidisciplinary team who operate from one centre, giving ability to manage a broad range of matters efficiently.’

SJP Law

SJP Law‘s agricultural offering is bolstered by the team’s expertise across the real estate, commercial, and private client sectors. Claire Charman leads the team and covers all commercial and real estate matters. Charman has experience advising on a range of diversification projects, as well as freehold sales and purchases and tenancy issues. Philip Lewis-Ogden provides key support.

Responsables de la pratique:

Claire Charman


Autres avocats clés:

Philip Lewis-Ogden; Holly Gibson; Mark Dixon


Les références

‘The practice has assisted us for a considerable time, and we have received excellent work and advice. The staff are very trustworthy on extremely complicated matters. We completely trust them.

‘Claire Charman is always contactable, and her knowledge and expertise is remarkable.’

‘Knowledgeable team, very useful to have team members with a farming background.’