Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Editorial

Other

All countries

Index of tables

Agriculture and estates
Leading individuals

Agriculture and estates

1
- Boodle Hatfield LLP (Oxford)
- Cripps LLP (Tunbridge Wells)
- Freeths (Oxford)
- Irwin Mitchell (Crawley, Chichester)
- Warners Solicitors (Sevenoaks, Tonbridge)
2
- Birketts LLP (Chelmsford)
- Blake Morgan LLP (Southampton, Portsmouth)
- Brachers (Maidstone)
- Furley Page Solicitors (Canterbury)
- Knights (Tunbridge Wells)
- Spratt Endicott (Banbury, Brackley, Bicester, Buckingham)
- Whitehead Monckton (Maidstone)
3
- Adams & Remers (Lewes)
- Birkett Long LLP (Colchester)
- Charles Russell Speechlys LLP (Guildford)
- Field Seymour Parkes LLP (Reading)
- Gepp & Sons Solicitors LLP (Chelmsford)
- Moore Blatch LLP (Southampton)
- Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP (Uckfield)
- Tees Law (Bishop’s Stortford)
- Thomson Snell & Passmore (Tunbridge Wells)
- Woodfines LLP (Sandy)

Leading individuals

1
- Steve Colville - Warners Solicitors
- Iain Davis - Freeths
- Christopher Goldingham - Spratt Endicott
- Matthew Knight - Knights
- David Wybar - Birkett Long LLP

Find out which law firms are representing which Agriculture and estates clients in South East using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WHO REPRESENTS WHO SITE

Boodle Hatfield LLP provides ‘clear and comprehensive advice’ to more than 80 landed estates, including Grosvenor and the Bedford Estate. Fiona Graham stands out for her ‘initiative, efficiency, promptness and practical, lucid and succinct advice’. Natasha Hassall is also recommended.

At Cripps LLP, practice head Sally Firby led advice to Evremond Estate on the purchase of land to be used for the production of sparkling wine. Peter Scott is ‘very good for CGT and trust advice’.

Freeths’ ‘diligent and experienced’ team is noted for its ‘well-rounded, client-focused advice’. Agricultural property specialist Iain Davis leads the six-partner team and stands out for his knowledge of housing developments. Also recommended are the ‘extremely user-friendly’ Samantha Leigh and Jane Maitland, who is a key name for succession planning. Clients include the Carington Estate and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Key names in Irwin Mitchell’s ‘excellent’ team (which incorporates Thomas Eggar LLP’s practice following the merger of both firms) include James Pavey, who is valued for his ‘extraordinary attention to detail and thoroughness’; and Richard Venables Kyrke and Iain MacLeod. Highlights included advising on the sale of the Norris Castle Estate on the Isle of Wight.

Steve Colville’s practice at Warners Solicitors was bolstered in 2015 by the return of tax planning expert Philip Raggett from asb law LLP. Also recommended are litigator Michael McNally and criminal and regulatory specialist Tim Ryan.

Birketts LLP’s team is praised for its ‘practical and theoretical knowledge’ and it has notable property and private client expertise. Key names include senior associate Laura Pooley and associate Annabelle Rout, who are ‘responsive’.

Mark Charter leads the team at Blake Morgan LLP, which has been kept busy handling property purchases and sales, and refinancing.

Brachers is praised for its ‘excellent understanding, interpretation and application of the law’. Sarah Webster and Sarah Gaines ‘respond to matters promptly and thoroughly’. The ‘experienced’ Christopher Eriksson-Lee joined the firm in 2015 from Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP.

At Furley Page Solicitors, practice head Christopher Wacher advised a farming business on installing a solar array scheme.

At Knights, Matthew Knight stands out for his ‘excellent bedside manner combined with a tenacity in negotiating favourable settlements for his clients’. Clients include the Game Farmers’ Association and the NFU.

Spratt Endicott is ‘excellent in all departments’ and ‘good value for money’. Christopher Goldingham, David Endicott and Howard Meakin are notable names.

Whitehead Monckton’s ‘formidable team’ is jointly headed by Stephen Beck and Robert Coombe.

GC Diversity and Inclusion Report

In partnership with...

'Ultimately there are as many barriers as you put up yourself, you can put up being female and black as an excuse or use it as a weapon of defiance.'

SANDIE OKORO, GENERAL COUNSEL, HSBC GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT

View more interviews from GC Magazine's Diversity and Inclusion Report UK 2016

International comparative guides

Giving the in-house community greater insight to the law and regulations in different jurisdictions.

Select Practice Area

CLIENT INTELLIGENCE REPORT 2016

The world's largest client survey

NOW LIVE

The Legal 500 TV

Data Security Debate

The first of an innovative series of roundtables and discussions with leading cyber security experts.

The Legal 500 United Kingdom - Events

Enterprise GC - UK

Enterprise GC provides a unique platform to address the evolving needs of the leading General Counsel from the UK's largest enterprise.

The GC Powerlist: UK Summer Reception

To celebrate the publication of the GC Powerlist: United Kingdom, The Legal 500, Legal Business, GC Magazine and The In-House Lawyer invited leading General Counsel from across the UK to a summer reception at Home House, Portman Square. The GC Powerlist series highlights the most influential and innovative general counsel in a market

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in South East for Agriculture and estates

Parking rights: here to stay? Consent might be the surprising answer  

In the field of the acquisition of easements by prescription, little has caused more consternation over the last decade or so than the question of whether a right to park cars can be acquired by twenty years user as of right. The types of property capable of being adversely affected range from individual residential units all the way up to major development sites. The establishment of such a right can have a devastating impact on the value of the burdened land. 

- Falcon Chambers

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP