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Agriculture and estates

Birkett Long LLP’s ‘efficient and experienced’ team advises across the full range of rural issues, in 2011 acting in complex property, litigation and probate matters. Practice head David Wybar is ‘knowledgeable and determined’.

Blake Lapthorn’s ‘first-class’ team provides advice on complex tax, estate sale and succession issues. Team head Mark Charter, a real estate specialist, is ‘excellent’.

Sue Laing’s team at Boodle Hatfield LLP works closely with the firm’s London office to provide tax, succession and strategic advice to high-net-worth families and landed estates. Clients include the Grosvenor, Bedford and Folkestone Estates.

As well as acting for traditional private clients, Brachers’ team also advises educational institutions, banks, charities and purchasing consortia on land options, tenancies and tax issues. Clients include Hadlow College, William Barrow’s Charity and Redsell Group. Team head Susan Hart is ‘a joy to deal with’.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP’s team advised on the asset capitalisation of Broughton Farms, which involved inheritance and share issues. Practice head Sally Firby and Peter Scott, who ‘provides excellent capital tax advice’, are recommended.

Jointly headed by Iain Davis and Jane Maitland, Henmans LLP’s established team acts for several landed estates on trust, restructuring and contentious matters, and has growing strength in the renewables market.

2011 highlights for the ‘first-class’ rural team at Thomas Eggar LLP included advising on the removal of a public right of way through a stud farm. Team head Richard Venables-Kyrke attracts praise, and was joined in September 2011 by James Pavey from Knights

Charities

Blake Lapthorn’s ‘pragmatic and timely’ four-partner team has a strong corporate focus, advising on all aspects of charity structuring, joint ventures and M&A. Climate change is a growing area of expertise; the team recently advised Low Carbon West Oxford on the creation of a trading subsidiary to lease solar roofs. Team head Elizabeth Davis is ‘diplomatic and approachable’.

Nigel Roots’ ‘excellent’ team at Henmans LLP provides private client advice to major charities and charitable bodies. Areas of specialism include contentious and non-contentious probate and legacy work, particularly tax related. ‘Professional and experienced’ consultant Robert Foster, who also heads the education team, is recommended.

IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett)’s ‘consistently excellent’ charities team advises several religious organisations on strategic and one-off transactional issues. Recent work includes advising PURE – The Clean Planet Trust on its donations arrangement with British Airways One Destination Carbon Fund. Uxbridge-based team head Joanne Coleman is ‘persuasive, eloquent and commercial’.

The ‘very impressive’ Julian Chadwick heads Thomas Eggar LLP’s team, and attracts praise for his knowledge of religious issues. The team also has educational expertise. Clients include the Diocese of Chester, St Barnabas Hospice, and The London Christian School.

The ‘unfailingly reliable’ nine-fee-earner team at asb law LLP won several new instructions in 2011, and advised on a range of issues including employment, structural and contentious contractual matters. Margaret Craton heads the practice, which counts Rochester Bridge Trust and Golding Homes among its clients.

At B P Collins LLP, Diane Yarrow’s team advised Click Collection on commercial and structural issues related to its new web-based venture aiming to maximise charities’ donation income from the sale of second-hand clothes. Other clients include the Epilepsy Society and South Bucks Hospice.

The ‘knowledgeable and prompt’ team at Brachers advises on the full range of charity matters for a client list including Age Concern, Hadlow College and Royal Engineers Charities. Team head Simon Palmer has ‘a refreshing approach’.

Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Blandy & Blandy LLP’s family team draws instructions from high-net-worth individuals and, for some, is ‘far superior to its big-name London counterparts’. Practice head Andrew Don ‘combines technical expertise with personal advisory skills’, and Brenda Long’s ‘knowledge and deep experience translates into clear advice’.

‘One of the leading family departments in the country’, Manches LLP handles a steady diet of Children Act claims, child abduction cases and divorce proceedings, many of which involve multi-jurisdictional aspects. The three-partner team is led by Jane Mitchell, who is ‘the pre-eminent family lawyer in the region’. Kerry Fretwell is also ‘first rate’, and Ruth James ‘fully warrants her recent elevation to partnership’. Alexandra Lewis left to establish Alexandra Lewis Divorce & Family Mediation.

‘The client care is excellent’ at Blake Lapthorn, where department head Christine Plews handles matters ‘with tact and good direction’. Solicitors Claire Colbert and Karen Maloney have particular expertise in children cases.

Simon Craddock leads Brethertons LLP’s family department, and ‘goes above and beyond the call of duty’. A specialist in international child abduction cases, Craddock is ‘very focused on achieving clients’ goals’.

The ‘extremely efficient’ team at Henmans LLP is noted for its professionalism. Rachael Oakes is recognised for her expertise in ADR, and is a ‘very caring solicitor, who provides great sensitivity in divorce proceedings’.

Thomas Eggar LLP’s Claire Hamilton-Russell ‘always looks for solutions’ in all aspects of family law. Shashi Sachdeva is also recommended.

Clifton Ingram LLP’s three-partner family group is highlighted for its ‘personalised approach’. Marilyn Young ‘fights her corner well’, and Anne Deller ‘cuts straight to the heart of an issue’.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP focuses on high-value divorce disputes and complex Children Act cases. Michelle Mann and Susan Baker are both ‘experienced and sensible litigators’.

Horsey Lightly’s ‘extremely impressive’ family department includes two mediators and four collaborative lawyers. Lynn Wallis is a ‘sharp, incisive and highly professional practitioner with an exceptional grasp of complex legal issues’.

Morgan Cole’s family department is led by Jenni Howard, who is experienced in complex divorce cases, often involving offshore trusts and multi-jurisdictional issues.

Withy King LLP’s three-partner team has niche expertise in representing children’s guardians. Team head Simon Bassett has ‘invaluable experience and knowledge of the legal system’.

Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

Charles Russell LLP’s team of ‘consummate professionals’ provide specialist expertise in children matters and act for high-net-worth clients. Margaret Tyson heads the practice, and the ‘tenacious, sensible and experienced’ Karen Wilsher is also recommended.

Mundays LLP’s practice saw an increase in work with international aspects in 2011, including a case involving the return of children from the US which utilised the Hague Adoption Convention. Other highlights included acting in a divorce case valued at £60m.

asb law LLP is a ‘well-rounded firm’ that ‘combines IQ with EQ’, and provides niche advice in relation to Inheritance Act and emergency s37 injunctions. John Innes heads the practice, and senior associate Jackie Judd is a ‘shining star’.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP is ‘exceptional at the partner level’, with ‘a good support structure’. Specialisms of the family team include high-value ancillary relief and Schedule 1 Children Act matters.

Thomas Eggar LLP ‘easily matches the Magic Circle firms’ in assisting wealthy clients based outside London. In 2011 it acted in a number of cases valued at over £15m, and it is increasingly active advising on pre-and post-nuptial agreements.

Thomson Snell & Passmore is ‘truly excellent’ and ‘always robust’, and provides a ‘first-class’ service. Joanna Pratt took over as practice head in mid-2011 following the retirement of Barbara Wright.

Barlow Robbins LLP’s family team is led by Judith Ball and includes Helen Habershon, who is experienced in child abduction cases.

Maidstone-based Brachers has a strong presence in Kent, with a team led by the ‘amenable, professional and knowledgeable’ Stephen Smith. It has seen an increase in high-value prenuptial agreements.

The ‘very approachable’ team at DMH Stallard LLP is ‘always willing to help’ and ‘easy to talk to’, with expertise encompassing co-habitation disputes and cross-border matters. Lorna Fairbairn is ‘very forward thinking’.

Rawlison Butler LLP has a strong reputation in Court of Protection matters and Children Act disputes, including abduction work. The practice is led by Robert Worthing, supported by three associates.

The ‘excellent’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP is led by the ‘practical’ and ‘sympathetic’ Caroline Gordon-Smith. It boosted its ADR experience by adding a Resolution-trained mediator.

TWM Solicitors LLP’s ‘very good’ and ‘responsive’ team has particular strength in shari’ah family law, through its Guildford office. The team recently lost four partners: two to establish their own practices, and two to Wedlake Bell LLP and Cripps Harries Hall LLP.

Warners Solicitors’ five-partner team includes ‘experienced ancillary relief lawyer’ Matthew Aves.

Family: Hampshire

Paris Smith LLP has ‘one of the best family departments in the South East’, and saw an increase in pre-nuptial agreements and multi-jurisdictional cases in 2011. Clients single out Huw Miles and Frank Prior.

The family team at Blake Lapthorn includes three collaboratively trained lawyers, and was the first in the UK to offer complementary life coaching to its clients. Simon Burge leads the department.

Coffin Mew LLP’s family practice is led by senior associate Sally Pike, who is ‘particulary wise and measured in her advice’. The firm focuses on divorce and financial issues. Chris Upfield is also recommended.

Moore Blatch LLP’s Debra Emery has a ‘thorough and a sound grasp of the most complex issues’. Clients include high-net-worth individuals.

Trethowans LLP’s Yvette Rooke has particular expertise in law relating to unmarried couples and pension-sharing schemes for divorcing couples.

Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

Harvey Ingram Borneos has a strong reputation for both private and public law children work. It is a member of a number of specialist family law panels, including the Law Society Children Panel. Jane Charlton is recommended.

IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett) ‘guarantees a highly professional service’ and ‘unhesitatingly goes the extra mile’. It saw a significant increase in collaborative cases in 2011. Elizabeth Fitzpatrick is ‘rigorous and indefatigable’.

SA Law LLP’s family department is noted for its client care and negotiation skills, as well as its ability to navigate ancillary relief and children cases. Keith Docking ‘provides no-nonsense, first-rate advice’.

B P Collins LLP ‘provides a strong, client-orientated professional service’. It added a new associate to the team in 2011, which now comprises five lawyers. Sue Andrews ‘impresses with her good judgement’.

Rayden Solicitors is a ‘very good niche practice’, and ‘enormously impressive’. Katherine Rayden, who founded the firm in 2005, is recommended along with Julian Bremner, who gives ‘excellent legal advice’.

Taylor Walton LLP dealt with a number of pre-nuptial agreements and cohabitation issues in 2011. Michael Howard is ‘attentive’ and ‘intelligent’.

Family: Essex

Philip Hoddell’s team at Birkett Long LLP represents high-net-worth individuals in complex divorces, and in matters involving medical negligence and insolvency dimensions. Publicly funded childcare expert Liz Jones is recommended.

QualitySolicitors FJG’s ‘modern and refreshing’ 20-fee-earner team has expertise in acrimonious matters involving children. Simon Osborne leads a team that includes two solicitors with higher rights of advocacy and five collaboratively trained lawyers. In 2011 it acted in several cases with cross-border custody elements.

At Birketts LLP, Melanie Wilson and associate Zoe Rantell act primarily in high-value matrimonial matters, often with associated financial, tax and offshore issues. Wilson recently advised on several substantial pre-nuptial agreements.

Ellisons’ Nicola Coates advises clients in complex, high-value ancillary relief proceedings. The family team is spread across three of the firm’s four Essex offices.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Boodle Hatfield LLP’s team has a very strong standing in the South East, and in 2011 handled a number of complex cross-jurisdictional matters for clients with interests in the US, South Africa, Australia and Russia. Sue Laing has a ‘tremendous reputation’, and Fiona Graham and Natasha Hassall are also highly regarded.

Delivering ‘creative and very helpful advice’ and a ‘nice personal touch’, Blandy & Blandy LLP acts for a number of multimillion-pound trusts and estates, many involving offshore assets. Graham Benwell has over 30 years’ experiesnce in the field, and Jonathan Gater ‘provides innovative solutions’.

The ‘reliable and friendly’ team at Field Seymour Parkes LLP benefited from the arrival of former Royds LLP partner Christopher Hall, who brings significant experience in trust matters. Practice head Sue Vandersteen is ‘highly competent and extremely receptive to comments and suggestions’.

Henmans LLP fields a four-strong contentious probate team that advises high-net-worth individuals. Nigel Roots, Jane Maitland, Paul Thompson and ‘confident’ litigator Sarah Foster are all recommended.

Manches LLP’s team includes Oxford-based department head Anna Burnside, and assistant Penny Wright, who joined from Thomas Eggar LLP and leads the Reading-based private client offering. Tom Gilman left for Withy King LLP.

Blake Lapthorn’s succession and tax department delivers ‘accurate and well-explained advice’. The team is led by the ‘very helpful’ James Antoniou, and was joined by senior solicitor Philip Allen from Willans LLP in 2012.

Clifton Ingram LLP’s 11-strong team handles contentious and non-contentious private client matters. Peter McGeown and Stephanie Rose demonstrate ‘a quality of knowledge that instils confidence in clients’.

Spratt Endicott delivers ‘quick responses and helpful advice’, with the ‘well-informed’ David Endicott and Lucy Gordon singled out. Caroline Gibbs is ‘a good litigator with assiduous attention to detail’.

Thomas Eggar LLP acts for a range of high-net-worth individuals. Julian Chadwick has over 30 years’ experience, and practice head Sarah Phillips is also recommended.

Caroline Wallis leads the ‘excellent and efficient’ team at Boyes Turner, which saw an increase in Court of Protection work in 2011. Associate solicitor Ruth Meyer is also recommended.

Clarkslegal LLP’s head of private client Simon Berry was promoted to partner in 2011. The ‘diligent’ team focuses on tax planning and asset protection, often relating to multimillion-pound estates.

Darbys Solicitors LLP fields a ‘strong private client team, with a depth of knowledge’. Practice head Rebecca Kashti has particular expertise in US and UK estates.

Morgan Cole’s Thames Valley practice is led by senior associate James Greig, who has significant experience in trusts and estates.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

The small but ‘extremely professional’ team at Adams & Remers ‘possesses very high levels of technical expertise’. It acts for a number of high-profile clients, with Susan Midha singled out for her ‘client-centred approach’.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP has a ‘comprehensive’ practice, and a strong reputation in the Kent market. Its lawyers handle trust management, estates, tax services and contentious trust and probate matters. Simon Leney heads the team.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP expanded its practice in 2011 with its merger with Dawsons Solicitors, enhancing its specialism in acting for injured and vulnerable individuals. Practice head Anthony Whitwell focuses on CGT and IHT matters.

Stevens & Bolton LLP’s five-partner team acted in a complex multi-jurisdictional probate matter involving five offshore trust accounts with assets across the UK, Thailand and Portugal. The ‘very professional’ Nick Acomb advises on international tax and succession planning issues.

In 2011, Thomas Eggar LLP’s practice saw an increase in specialist tax planning work, and assisted in setting up LLCs in Dubai and the Cook Islands. The sizeable team is split into five sub-groups dedicated to covering the spectrum of private client work.

Thomson Snell & Passmore has a ‘very competent, strong team’ with expertise in Court of Protection matters, estate and tax planning, and large trusts held by private clients. Jeremy Passmore leads the department.

asb law LLP hired Philip Raggett from Warners Solicitors to head its private client department, which includes 13 fee-earners across the firm’s offices in Crawley and Maidstone.

The private client team at Barlow Robbins LLP has ‘built up a very good name’ in estate administration. Belinda Sanders is recommended for her ‘masterly understanding of complex issues’.

Charles Russell LLP’s Guildford office advises on personal tax matters for both Guildford Cathedral and the Diocese. Its ‘considerate’ and ‘personal’ approach is appreciated on sensitive matters. Sally Ashford is recommended.

Mundays LLP’s private client practice saw an increase in its offshore tax planning and contentious probate work over 2011. Graham Coy is the main contact.

TWM Solicitors LLP is noted for its contentious probate work, and recently acted in two cases in the Chancery Division. The firm also saw an increased flow of estate administration matters.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire

Blake Lapthorn’s five-partner team provides service of a ‘very high standard’, and particularly focuses on assisting entrepreneurial clients and landed estates. Practice head Clive Saunders delivers ‘the wisest and most thoughtful advice’, and Rachel Brooks is ‘highly efficient and very helpful’.

Jessica Wiltshire leads the department at Clarke Willmott LLP, and is hailed as ‘one of the best probate and tax planning solicitors in the south of England’. Consultant David Rule continues to act as the lead trustee of one of the few Heritage Property estates in the region.

Paris Smith LLP’s broad tax and estate planning practice is led by David Bird, who primarily advises on trust structures and related tax issues. Crispin Jameson acts for high-net-worth individuals on a range of trust matters.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP handles wills and tax planning, and has seen an increase in contested Court of Protection applications. Michael Cash leads the team and is recognised for his expertise in contentious trusts and probate. Julie Burton and Richard Underwood are also recommended.

Moore Blatch LLP fields a dedicated Court of Protection team, and has niche expertise in personal injury trusts. Carla Brown and John Hatchard are key contacts.

Thomas Eggar LLP’s ‘excellent’ department is led by Anthony Nixon, who is ‘technically strong on trust matters’, and has advised clients in the region for over 25 years.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

B P Collins LLP is ‘outstanding in this practice area’, and recently hired Paul Lowery from Mundays LLP to head its department. Craig Williams is ‘utterly committed to his clients’.

Debenhams Ottaway solicitors’ ‘relationship-orientated’ team includes 15 lawyers, including four partners, and is valued for its empathetic approach and impressive experience. It regularly advises in relation to multimillion-pound estates.

IBB (Iliffes Booth Bennett)’s ‘totally professional’ private client practice has strength in estate administration and Court of Protection matters. In 2011 it acquired several smaller firms in the Buckinghamshire area. Jacqueline Almond is recommended.

‘Quick to respond, clear and precise’, the team at Taylor Walton LLP has expertise in all areas of private client work, especially inheritance tax planning and the preservation of family wealth. Practice head Richard Crocker is ‘technically very professional’.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex

Birkett Long LLP’s 15-fee-earner team advises on complex tax planning and inheritance issues, and includes a specialist disputes team handling all aspects of contentious probate, from litigation to mediation. Bruce Ballard and Claire Read head the Colchester and Chelmsford teams respectively.

Tim Galloway’s ‘excellent’ team at Birketts LLP provides ‘cutting-edge, City-standard advice’ to institutional trust company clients. The team has particularly strong experience in multi-jurisdictional probate matters.

Palmers’ very experienced team advises on estate planning, contentious probate and trust creation and administration. The practice also handles many non-traditional areas, such as care fees for the elderly, Court of Protection appointments, and Inheritance Act claims.

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