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Agriculture and estates

‘An excellent regional law firm’, Birketts LLP provides ‘consistently good response times and value for money’. James Harbottle (’swift, intelligent, with a hawk’s eye for details’) and Jack Royall provide ‘great technical innovation and solution-orientated advice’. In 2011 it acted in the sale of a £13m estate.

‘Excellent service and speedy responses’ are hallmarks of Hewitsons LLP’s practice. The firm advised landowner EA Sheardown & Co on a solar farm lease in 2011. The ‘exceptional’ Denise Wilkinson stands out on the rural property side, and is recommended alongside the ‘extremely personable and well-respected’ Charles Hewitson.

Mills & Reeve LLP ‘goes the extra mile to deal with any situation thoroughly’. Sally Graham and Amanda Tagg are ‘prompt, pleasant and thorough’, and Michael Aubrey has ‘a very good client manner, negotiating skills and strategic approach’. The firm advised the Wellcome Trust on its acquisition of a £12m agricultural estate.

‘As good as any London specialist’, Taylor Vinters draws referrals from many London law firms and advises clients such as Darley Stud Management and Jockey Club Estates. Its land deals in East Anglia totalled over £100m in 2011. Rupert Melville-Ross and Adrian Horwood-Smart are recommended.

Ashton KCJ ‘acts promptly and professionally’, and advised on the £8m purchase of 850 acres of arable land in 2011. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Jonathan Long, Simon Cunningham, Jeanette Dennis and Robert Chalmers are all ‘experienced, friendly lawyers who understand the importance of detail’.

Barker Gotelee’s busy practice handled the £20m purchase of Kelsale Hall Farm, the largest commercial farm transaction in England in 2011. Toby Pound, Andrew Nicholson and the ‘extremely personable’ Kerry Addison are popular choices for restructuring agricultural businesses, EU policy advice, and diversification projects.

Howes Percival LLP provides ‘first-class service’, with Jeremy Heal singled out for his ‘combination of technical expertise and solid, practical application’. The team acted on a £10m land purchase, and advises two large Norfolk estates.

Leathes Prior’s ‘confident and pragmatic approach’ stems from the vast experience of Robert Sibley, William Riley, Darren Bowen and Paul Oldershaw. AgChem Access is a key client.

Roythornes LLP’s team is ‘very good in all aspects of ownership and occupation of agricultural land and rural estates’. The ‘calm, extremely knowledgeable and well-respected’ Graham Smith represented a farm in Kent and Sussex in a range of matters, including tax planning.

At Steeles Law LLP, the ‘outstanding, dedicated and knowledgeable’ Karen Bacon stands out for her ‘technical competence and attention to detail’. She handled the sale of unregistered farmland to optimise capital gains tax.

An NFU legal panel firm, Tees Solicitors provides ‘prompt, efficient service and knowledge that is second to none’ to small family farms and large agribusinesses. James Dowson and Catherine Mowat are ‘a breath of fresh air’.

Blocks draws on the vast experience of Gerry Field, who led two large farming company demergers. The teams conveyancing and tax planning matters totalled over £35m in 2011.

Buckles Solicitors LLP remains ‘one of the strongest firms in the region’, thanks in large part to Duncan Jackson, who is ‘held in high regard for his technical expertise and ability to relate well with clients’. Highlights included a £13m claim over mineral extraction on farmland.

Greene & Greene has ‘commercial nous’ on private client matters, and recently handled a £500,000 estate sale. Michael Batt ‘grasps the issues quickly’ and Jonathan Mathers is ‘efficient, practical and effective’.

At Greenland Houchen Pomeroy, Robert Plumbly’s longstanding ties with Norfolk’s farming community provide a steady flow of farm sale transactions.

Hugh Lansdell’s financial planning practice at Hansells advises many local farmers.

Hayes + Storr Solicitors hired Susan Matthews, from pre-merger Ward Gethin. She supports Iain MacBrayne, who recently acted on the sale of 460 acres of farmland in Norfolk for £5m. Eileanora Ni Charthaig assisted on the £2.2m sale of a 310-acre farm in Lincolnshire, and James Morgan advises on one of the UK’s largest solar farm projects.

Hunt & Coombs Solicitors’ Anna Spriggs is a member of the Agricultural Law Association, and recently advised on the £1.2m sale of two agricultural holdings.

Bloodstock

The ‘friendly, reliable and good-value’ team at Taylor Vinters excels thanks to Rachel Flynn’s 20 years’ experience and excellent contacts. The firm advised Jockey Club Estates on the sale of Newmarket studs. Darley Stud Management and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association are also clients.

Newmarket-based Edmondson Hall has four equine law specialists in Mark Edmondson, Anna Hall, Deborah Hargreaves and Sarah Watson. It is first choice for many jockeys, trainers, owners, agents, breeders, stud farmers and vets.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s Charles Staveley has a ‘good understanding of the bloodstock world’. Clients include Newmarket Equine Hospital and Dubai Racing Club.

Roland Sharp’s team at Prettys is involved in disputes and commercial drafting for some of the biggest names in UK horseracing and breeding.

Charities

‘Advice is very prompt and value for money is very good’ at Birketts LLP, where the ‘succinct and clear’ James Hall’s ecclesiastical law expertise is ‘invaluable; he always endeavours to simplify matters’. His team, which includes the ‘very competent’ Stuart Jones, advises the Diocese of Norwich and Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

The ‘always accessible’ Chris Knight leads Hewitsons LLP’s team, which includes the ‘impressive’ Denise Wilkinson for corporate and commercial matters. The firm advised the Medical Research Council on a £600m joint venture, and also operates a grant administration service.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s Ted Powell, Andrew Wood and Peter Furnivall specialise in tax, governance and trust matters for corporate and university charities, including Oxbridge colleges. The firm also advises major donors.

‘Dedicated, thorough and communicative’, Taylor Vinters’ team, which includes Janet Turner and education and employment specialist Christine Berry, advises local and international charities including World Horse Welfare.

Ashton KCJ’s Jennie Pratt and Mark Watson advise many educational charities including several Cambridge colleges, and advised the Henry Martyn Trust on incorporating a charitable trust. Other clients include Bullying Stinkz and Norwich Puppet Theatre.

Michelle Collins’ team at Cozens-Hardy LLP is one of the foremost advisers to charitable organisations in Norfolk, and counts many of Norwich’s largest charities as clients.

‘Excellent value for money’, Greenwoods Solicitors LLP rates highly for its ‘speed and understanding of clients ’ objectives’. Emma Murphy and John Macaulay feature in the team, which advises the Inland Waterways Association, among other clients.

Howes Percival LLP has ‘outstanding respect for clients’, and counts Paul Bassham Charitable Trust among its roster. Jeremy Heal’s ‘business acumen is extremely good’; the ‘kind and endearing’ Richard Lovett has ‘great expertise’; and Catherine Scott’s ‘excellence comes from a very meticulous mind’.

Hunt & Coombs Solicitors provides ‘first-class service from a strong, well-resourced team’ that includes Anna Spriggs, Paddy Appleton and Nick Arculus. Highlights included the disposal of a school site for the Diocesan Board of Education.

Leathes Prior’s team ‘responds quickly and gives good support’ to clients including the Foundation for Environmental Education. William Riley, Hazel Gill and Tessa Bonser are ‘always very helpful and thoughtful, with great awareness and understanding’. Paul Warman stands out on governance issues.

The ‘patient, timely and clear’ Robert Meakin is part of Stone King LLP’s nationally renowned team. He advised on the establishment of the independent Bishop Challoner School through negotiation with the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Family

‘A leading light in the region’, Cambridge Family Law Practice consists exclusively of partners, whose strengths include ‘a very good understanding of collaborative law’. The vastly experienced William Hogg is ‘quick to arrive at simple solutions’, and ‘skilled advocate’ Simon Bethel is ‘outstanding on children matters and finance’. Gail Marchant-Daisley, Sue Varty and Adam Moghadas are also recommended.

Mills & Reeve LLP is ‘a top-rate firm for finance and childcare matters’, and prioritises ‘conciliatory advice, avoiding unnecessary litigation’. Roger Bamber is ‘simply superb at managing clients ’ expectations’; the ‘calm, poised’ Caitlin Jenkins ‘gets good results in complex farming cases’; and associate Roger Gurney’s ‘sensitivity makes difficult issues bearable’.

‘Committed to ADR’, Ashton KCJ is ‘sensitive, professional and worth every penny’. Stephen Williams is ‘trustworthy and acutely sensitive to clients ’ feelings’, and works alongside Ian Winterborne, Mary Pearce and Brenda Head.

Birketts LLP’s team includes ‘tough negotiator’ Oliver Gravell, who has ‘first-class client care skills’; Ian Pattinson, who gives ‘great legal and tactical advice’; and Teresa Brown, who ‘works superbly with clear determination and strength’. Gravell and Pattinson are qualified family law arbitrators.

Cozens-Hardy LLP handles publicly and privately funded cases, and remains ‘one of the leaders in family law’ thanks to the ‘vastly experienced’ Iain White, Sandra Nunn and collaborative lawyer Jane Anderson. White and Nunn are on the Law Society’s children panel.

Fosters’ Iain McClay, Lucy Simpson and mediators Catherine Iliff and Andrew Saul handle publicly funded matters and cases for high-net-worth clients.

Gotelee Solicitors’ Helen Stuart heads ‘a strong team’ trained in collaborative law and known for tax, children and ancillary relief matters. Jane Fowles is recommended alongside newly promoted Ivana Radovic. Resolution-accredited associate Sue Wardropper advises many expatriates.

Hegarty LLP fields ‘one of the most experienced teams in Peterborough’. Matthew Sidebottom leads collaborative lawyers Jane Tatlock, Rachel Strong and Sarah Dawson on a growing workload of publicly funded cases.

Edward Owen’s collaboratively trained team at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors includes the ‘very compassionate’ Denis White and associate Farhana Butt, who provides ‘invaluable help and support’.

Kerseys Solicitors provides an ‘exemplary service’ on matters of childcare, divorce and cohabitation. Elaine Webb is ‘an effective advocate for children’, and Rosemary Carter ‘responds quickly and is readily available’.

Jackie Wells’ team at Taylor Vinters includes Annabel Hayward, who ‘strikes a good balance between empathising and successfully navigating divorce cases’, and Claire Brackley, who combines ‘excellent legal skills with kindness and understanding’.

At the ‘professional, friendly and practical’ Buckles Solicitors LLP, the ‘sensitive but firm’ Lyn Brisley has the ability to ‘sort out difficult emotional aspects very well’. The firm recently bolstered its collaborative law expertise with the hire of Sara Collins, formerly a secondary school behaviour mentor.

At the newly formed Fiona McLeman Family Law, ‘attentive, strong but compassionate’ name partner Fiona McLeman ‘proves confrontation and acrimony need not prevail’. McLeman is ‘first class in all areas, does exactly as she says every time, and cares about her clients’.

Fraser Dawbarns fields one of the largest teams in West Norfolk, handling publicly funded care proceedings and privately funded divorces, and providing ‘a sensible approach to child cases’. The ‘calming and reassuring’ Deborah Allen, Jackie Jones, Melinda Smith and Silke Trevor are recommended.

‘Professional, approachable, and always quick to respond’, Greene & Greene is praised for its ‘cost-conscious service, which surpasses all expectations’. Kate Chandler is ‘very sincere, thorough and compassionate’, and Juliet Harvey is ‘honest, realistic, clear, calm and grounded’.

‘Easy to deal with, clear and proactive’, Hatch Brenner LLP’s team includes the ‘level-headed, straightforward’ Richard Dilks; ‘transparent and timely’ childcare expert Jonathan Brock; and Ben Pearson, who joined from Hawkins Solicitors.

Leathes Prior’s Alisdair Douglas ‘has a full grasp of what needs to be done’. His team is ‘easy to deal with, polite and courteous’ on all aspects of divorce, civil partnerships and Children Act matters.

Through collaborative lawyer and mediator Georgie Hall, Prettys has developed a strong reputation, giving ‘excellent client care and prompt delivery’ in high-value financial cases. Georgina Rayment’s ‘standard of professionalism is superb’.

The ‘brilliant and efficient’ team at Rogers and Norton includes Amy Walpole, who ‘understands every detail, no matter how small’, and Sophie Key, who has ‘wonderful knowledge and provides excellent advice’.

At Barker Gotelee, ‘highly experienced’ family partner and mediator Nicola Furmston heads a specialist divorce practice for high-net-worth clients.

‘Service and knowledge are exceptional’ at Blocks, thanks to ‘invaluable, determined’ consultant Ben French and collaborative lawyer Demezla Butler, who ‘gives clear advice in a calm and supportive way’.

Hansells’ Lisa Cornish, a children law specialist, is a popular choice in Norwich.

At Hawkins Solicitors, Resolution-accredited Rachel Hepworth has developed one of King’s Lynn’s busiest family practices.

Hayes + Storr Solicitors’ Neale Grearson is a leading light of the local collaborative law group.

Peter Denison at Kenneth Bush excels in complex care and Children Act work. Amanda Webb is recommended for financial matters.

Leeds Day’s Simon Thomas acted for the husband in a £1m divorce and financial proceedings matter, involving shareholdings in numerous restaurants and a catering company.

Overburys & Raymond Thompson’s Amanda Maruca and Richard Bevan are noted for their collaborative law expertise.

Steeles Law LLP ‘treats clients well and is excellent value’. Amanda Owens is ‘incisive, with a delightful human touch’, and Emma Alfieri is ‘thoughtful and grounded, and really puts clients at ease’.

At Tees Solicitors, Simon Gummer is ‘efficient and straight down the line’. Cases included a complex ancillary relief matter with £2.5m in assets.

At Metcalfe, Copeman & Pettefar, Stephen Welcomme and Wendy O’Reilly stand out for complex ancillary relief matters, and are noted for their calm approach.

Will Cowell at Miller Sands is a popular choice for collaborative law.

Rudlings Wakelam remains a popular high street practice handling substantial publicly funded work. Tim O’Regan’s team is best known for children law work.

Ward Gethin Archer’s Richard Pennington is a force in family litigation.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Cambridge

Clients receive ‘good, confident advice’ from Hewitsons LLP’s ‘well-informed, efficient and friendly’ team, which advises shareholders of large companies and high-net-worth individuals. Daniel Curtis is ‘smart and client focused’; Elizabeth Davies excels in complex estates work; and Bernadette O’Reilly provides ‘detailed and well-thought-through advice’.

Mills & Reeve LLP fields a skilled team whose ‘knowledge and advice are invaluable’ to a client list of executors and trustees with combined assets exceeding £100m. Paul Solon and Chris Belcher are recommended, as is associate Victoria Thompson.

Taylor Vinters has a ‘sound, practical approach’, with Jocelyn Fox’s Court of Protection team highly recommended. Adrian Horwood-Smart brings a strong rural focus, and James Packer is also recommended.

At Birketts LLP, Caroline Stenner’s advice is ‘to the point and value for money’. She advises on complex probate applications, including many involving overseas assets.

Ashton KCJ’s ‘pleasant, efficient and positive’ team includes Jennie Pratt and Lynn Wicks, who specialise in lifetime planning and the administration of complex estates. Pratt advised on offshore trusts and lifetime giving for a £20m estate.

Catherine Mowat at Tees Solicitors is ‘extremely courteous, kind and helpful; nothing is too much trouble for her’. She is regularly appointed as a deputy by the Court of Protection, and advised on taxation issues for a £1m estate.

Alun Butler at Woodfines LLP is ‘calm and gentle, a top-class lawyer whom clients can trust’. He has a national reputation for trusts, tax and charity work. Clients include the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trusts.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Ipswich

Ashton KCJ’s Ian Reed, who is on the Court of Protection’s deputy panel, has in-depth understanding of law for the elderly. A member of the Securities Institute, he is an independent trustee for many defined benefit pension schemes.

‘Exceptional and affordable’, Barker Gotelee’s James Skellorn advises on trusts up to £30m in value, particularly those involving agricultural land. His expertise includes tax planning, asset protection and contentious matters.

Birketts LLP’s Charles Boscawen provides ‘much better service than smaller London firms, and is more competitive on fees’. He advises on tax efficiency in the context of multimillion-pound trust and probate matters.

Peter Crix at Gotelee Solicitors secured 100% inheritance tax relief for a large family farming partnership. Tanya Thomas has expertise in mental health law and incapacity issues, and regularly handles contested Court of Protection proceedings, funding cases and PI trusts.

Prettys provides ‘excellent service from a strong team with in-depth knowledge’. Jonathan Schoop is ‘friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and flexible’, and Zoe Hodge and Amy Taylor are ‘easy to deal with; their knowledge gives clients total confidence’.

Blocks lost Louise Long to Birketts LLP, but can still draw on the ‘clear-thinking, practical’ Matthew Boast’s 17 years’ experience. John Riddett is a notary public and STEP member with a specialism in mental capacity cases.

Kerseys Solicitors receives ‘top marks’ for its ‘clear and concise’ advice. Peter Awad’s team provides ‘proactive, considered, timely advice’ to executors of high-value estates and complex wills. Leila Shaw is also recommended.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Norwich

No other firm has the reputation, strength and quality’ to equal Mills & Reeve LLP. Justin Ripman ‘combines great expertise with common sense and real commitment; he not only goes the extra mile, but the extra hundred miles’. Associate David Catchpole heads one of the few specialist contentious trust and probate teams outside London.

At Birketts LLP, Neil Sparrow has ‘a quick wit and a steely resolve’, and ‘combines technical excellence with great communication skills’. He excels in tax planning, trust and agricultural work.

Despite Alistair Sursham’s retirement, Cozens-Hardy LLP remains ‘particularly well known for its private client work’. New principal Michelle Collins handles tax and inheritance matters for clients locally and further afield, in London and Europe.

Howes Percival LLP is ‘absolutely first class’, and advises many multimillion-pound estates. The ‘totally unflappable’ Jeremy Heal, Richard Lovett and Sue Hammett are ‘knowledgeable, client focused, pragmatic and innovative’.

At Leathes Prior, ‘terrific listener’ Hazel Gill’s ‘knowledge, efficiency and people skills are admirable’. Clients include The Great Hospital charity.

Karen Bacon oversees a team at Steeles Law LLP that is ‘committed to a razor-sharp, efficient service’. The ‘sensitive, calm and clear’ Angela Ireland dealt with a deceased QC’s estate in 2011; and the ‘exceptional’ Lindsey Sharples assisted in tracing missing beneficiaries for an intestate client.

Ashton KCJ’s ‘patient, understanding and extremely proficient’ team includes Robert Chalmers, who acts for business owners and directors on lifetime planning and high-value probate matters.

Trina Worden and Stephen Green at Fosters provide ‘a first-class service’ to high-value estates. Worden recently advised on complex matters involving lasting power of attorney.

Hansells acted in a large contentious probate matter for the estate of a well-known composer. Philip Norton is recommended.

Hatch Brenner LLP is ‘very easy to work with and good value, given the technical strength of the team’, with the ‘very thorough, kind and sensitive’ Dawn Parkes singled out. The firm recently represented the executors of a £2m family estate.

Rogers and Norton’s Catherine Hawdon advised on the £3m estate of a longstanding client. Louisa Mawbey joined from Metcalfe, Copeman & Pettefar, adding a focus on elderly clients.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Peterborough

At Buckles Solicitors LLP, Duncan Jackson ‘does not confuse with jargon’; ‘excellent legal adviser’ Stephen Duffy ‘understands older clients ’ needs’; and Charles Applegate is ‘straightforward and easy to deal with’. Highlights included advising the executors of a £13m estate.

‘The service is excellent’ at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, where Tim Addinell’s ‘massive intellect compliments his straightforward advice’. Highlights included a £6m probate matter and preparation of lifetime trusts for a £4m estate. Sallyann Short is ‘a joy to work with’.

Hegarty LLP has four STEP-qualified solicitors, and provides ‘outstanding service and good value’. Greg Baker, recommended for ‘quick responses and high-quality advice’, advised on several multimillion-pound probate cases involving private company shareholdings.

The ‘knowledgeable and professional’ Henry Anstey at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors has ‘extensive knowledge’ of wills, trusts and probate. Clients also praise Robina Pighills’ ability to ‘deal clearly and patiently with all queries’.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Elsewhere in East Anglia

Ashton KCJ’s ‘exceptional, empathetic team’ in 2011 advised a London client on a £2m estate. Alan Brown is ‘wonderful, efficient and friendly’; Simon Crooks is ‘thorough, personable and caring’; and Adrian Mundell has ‘a wealth of experience in Court of Protection matters’.

Greene & Greene is ‘exceptionally strong and can resolve even the most complex cases’, with the ‘exceptionally diligent’ Suzanne Alston singled out as ‘one of the region’s most technically able private client lawyers’. Highlights included the winding up of offshore settlements.

At Hayes + Storr Solicitors, James Morgan advises on many contentious probate matters. In 2011 the firm acted in a claim for contested rights to a grand tier box at the Royal Albert Hall, and a claim against a £3m farm estate. It also has an outstanding care of the elderly practice.

Nicholsons Solicitors LLP’s Ann-Marie Matthews is ‘always willing to go the extra mile’ and ensures ‘excellent, highly professional service’ from a team that includes the ‘extremely able and respected’ Robert Nicholson. The firm represents many £1m-plus estates.

At Fosters, Wymondham-based Wenke Lie-Critchley and Stuart Williams in Lowestoft regularly advise on matters involving lasting power of attorney.

Fraser Dawbarns advised on the administration of a £7.4m estate in 2011. Tony Barrett and David Ball have ‘exceptional local knowledge and a practical approach’.

Peter Izod and Paddy Appleton at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors have a growing workload for estates involving cross-border elements.

Ward Gethin Archer’s Cheryl Page is popular for wealth management issues.

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