United Kingdom > South West > Private client
Agriculture and estates
Agriculture and estates
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1
- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Clarke Willmott LLP Taunton, Bristol
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2
- Charles Russell LLP Cheltenham
- Thrings LLP Bath, Swindon, Bristol
- Wilsons Salisbury
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3
- Ashfords LLP Tiverton, Taunton
- Foot Anstey Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter, St Austell, Truro
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- Battens Solicitors Limited Yeovil
- Dyne Drewett Sherborne
- Loxley Legal Services LLP Wotton-under-Edge
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
- Trethowans LLP Salisbury
- Withy King LLP Swindon
Burges Salmon LLP’s team acts for a number of high-profile clients including HSBC, The Crown Estate, the National Trust and many other landed estates. William Neville, and Charles Wyld lead the team, with Vivienne Williams handling contentious agricultural matters. Peter Williams departed to Wilsons.
Clarke Willmott LLP is ‘head and shoulders’ above the competition, and acts for an impressive array of clients including The Crown Estate, for which it handled some 140 matters in 2010. Other key clients include the NFU and The National Trust. Guy Hurst is appreciated for his ‘efficiency, client care and commitment’, and team head Tim Russ, Tim Hayden and Tom Hyde are also recommended.
Charles Russell LLP’s ‘strong’ team represents around 50 estates including numerous aristocratic clients. Practice head Christopher Page is ‘superb’. Christian Massey was made partner in 2010.
Thrings LLP provides ‘clear and comprehensive’ advice. It assisted the NFU on the rewriting and updating of the occupational licence with the Ministry of Defence pertaining to land on Salisbury Plain. The team also acts for a large number of high-profile landed estates. Team head Peter Cusick ‘leads from the front’.
Wilsons gives ‘good and appropriate advice in a timely manner’ and acted on the sales of several large estates during 2010, notably The Old Fonthill Estate, and the Hulton Park Estate in Lancashire. Team head Robert Swift and Alison Bailey are recommended. Belinda Watson made partner in 2010, and Peter Williams joined from Burges Salmon LLP.
Ashfords LLP’s ‘very effective’ team is headed by Tim Howells, and ‘gives sensible and innovative advice’. Key areas for the firm include the renewable energy sector and photovoltaic installations, as well as traditional estate matters.
Foot Anstey’s ‘excellent, very responsive’ team has a growing niche in photovoltaic power developments, and also recently acted on a number of high-value farm sales. Richard Bagwell is recommended for landlord and tenant matters, and Simon Gregory is a ‘good all-rounder’.
Osborne Clarke witnessed a shift from acting for traditional estate owners to representing corporate vehicles becoming involved in agricultural land. Clients include NatWest and the NFU. This ‘excellent’ team acted for Rotch Property Group on the sale of the Duxhurst Estate in Sussex. Kathryn Almond heads the department, in which Robert Drewett is ‘persistent and effective’.
Rickerbys LLP demonstrates a ‘good deal of experience and knowledge’. It acted for a number of clients on multimillion-pound estate matters, and also on a grant of minerals lease for an estate. Practice head Robin Beckley is recommended.
Stephens Scown LLP’s team is ‘very user-friendly and proactive’. In addition to traditional estates work, it has acted on many photovoltaic developments in the South West, and advises large estates on mining and mineral rights. Richard Baker is ‘personable, approachable and helpful’, and team head Phil Reed is also recommended.
James Owen at Battens Solicitors Limited is recommended.
At Dyne Drewett, Jonathan Cheal is an acknowledged rights of way expert, and Richard Pinney is also noted.
Loxley Legal Services LLP’s Andrew Baskerville is recommended.
Philip Wolfgang at Michelmores LLP is ‘highly capable, exceptionally efficient and knowledgeable’.
Marcus Thorpe at Trethowans LLP is ‘extremely competent professionally but also charming and engaging personally’.
Withy King LLP’s Angus Williams is recommended.
Bloodstock
Bloodstock
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1
- Ashfords LLP Exeter
- Withy King LLP Marlborough
Ashfords LLP’s team is ‘well respected’. It acted for Spain’s champion jockey in a regulatory tribunal hearing involving multiple horseracing jurisdictions, and for the British Harness Racing Club in bringing a ‘milkshaking’ doping prosecution. Practice head Rory Mac Neice is recommended.
The ‘excellent’ Withy King LLP represents clients such as The Professional Jockeys Association and The National Trainers Federation, and has expertise in regulatory matters. Andrew Chalk demonstrates ‘in-depth knowledge of British horseracing regulatory matters’; and the ‘very helpful’ Richard Brooks acts on a range of contentious matters.
Charities
Charities
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1
- Stone King LLP Bath
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2
- Charles Russell LLP Cheltenham
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards Bristol
- Wilsons Salisbury
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3
- Foot Anstey Exeter
- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
- Tozers LLP Exeter
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- Bevan Brittan LLP Bristol
- Bond Pearce LLP Plymouth
- TLT LLP Bristol
- Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove Cheltenham
- Willans LLP Cheltenham
‘Outstanding in all areas’, Stone King LLP acted for the International Hospital Federation on reorganising working arrangements. Other clients include the Museums Association and the Holburne Museum & Theatre Royal Bath. Michael King heads the team.
Christopher Page’s ‘excellent’ team at Charles Russell LLP assists The Ernest Cook Trust as general legal adviser, and also advises Sue Ryder Care on property matters. Lynda Richards is ‘excellent – absolutely able, thorough and efficient’.
Osborne Clarke’s ‘first-class’ team advised the Book Trust on a proposed merger with a major national trust, and assisted the University of Pretoria with its plans to establish a subsidiary branch in the UK. Other clients include Colston’s Girls’ School. Alexandra Casley and team head Mark Woodward are recommended.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘efficient, effective and thorough’ team acted for the London Symphony Orchestra/London Symphony Orchestra Endowment Trust on governance reviews. Clients include Bristol Old Vic, the British Fashion Council, and the University of Bath. Practice head Con Alexander provides ‘clear, concise and accurate’ advice; and the ‘impressive’ Barney Northover and ‘solutions-focused’ Martha Burnige are also recommended.
Wilsons advised the Macfarlane Trust on restructuring the charity and its associated bodies, and advised The Edward Heath Charitable Foundation on the powers of the trustees to dispose of property. Charity legacy work is an important part of the practice. Peter Steer has an ‘excellent manner’, and quickly resolves problems.
Foot Anstey provides ‘excellent, very approachable and responsive service’. The team advised Shelterbox, a Cornish charity, on a wide range of matters, and the Dartington Hall Trust on various commercial, property and pensions issues. Practice head James Evans and Anna Roderick are ‘true specialists and leading lights’ in the region.
Lester Aldridge LLP’s ‘efficient and courteous’ team establishes good rapport and a ‘very rewarding relationship’ with its clients. It assisted British Heart Foundation on an Inheritance Act claim, and acted for the Bridget Espinosa Memorial Trust on the proposed merger of the charity’s London Studio Centre with the University of the Arts, London. Clients value practice head Geoff Trobridge’s ‘thorough, measured approach’.
Shivaji Shiva’s team at Michelmores LLP specialises in offering support to local authorities, arts organisations, education bodies and religious charities. The team delivered a national training programme for the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) on contract law for organisations seeking to deliver public services.
Tozers LLP’s ‘very approachable and knowledgeable’ team head Richard King acts for clients including Devon Wildlife Trust, Plymouth Diocesan Trust and Buckfast Abbey Trust, as well as several educational establishments.
Matthew Waters at Bevan Brittan LLP is recommended.
Charmian Leatt is recommended at Bond Pearce LLP.
Nicole Little at TLT LLP is 'responsive, clear and effective'.
Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove's Stephen Pallister is recommended.
Margaret Austen is recommended at Willans LLP.
Family
Family
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1
- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Clarke Willmott LLP Bristol, Taunton
- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter, St Austell, Truro
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2
- Ashfords LLP Exeter, Tiverton, Taunton
- Foot Anstey Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton
- Hartnell Chanot & Partners Exeter
- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Stone King LLP Bath
- Stones Solicitors LLP Exeter
- TLT LLP Bristol
- Thrings LLP Swindon, Bath
- Tozers LLP Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth
- Wilsons Salisbury
- Withy King LLP Bath, Swindon
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3
- Battens Solicitors Limited Yeovil, Dorchester, Sherborne, Weymouth
- Gregg Latchams WRH Bristol
- Horsey Lightly Fynn Bournemouth
- Irwin Mitchell LLP Bristol
- Laceys Bournemouth
- Parker Bullen LLP Salisbury
- Porter Dodson Dorchester, Taunton, Yeovil
- The Stokes Partnership Crewkerne
- Trethowans LLP Salisbury
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards Bristol
- Willans LLP Cheltenham
Burges Salmon LLP has extensive experience in pre-marital, marital and divorce matters, and ‘cannot be faulted in any way’. It recently acted in a £30m-plus divorce involving significant overseas property, and a £25m divorce involving a landed estate. Team head Catherine Hallam is ‘calm and practical’; Sarah Woodsford has ‘great experience and real tenacity’, and Ashley Palminteri is also recommended.
Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘truly exceptional’ team has experience in high-value ancillary relief cases, together with pre-marital trust planning and disputes involving unmarried households. Team head Gareth Schofield and Daniel Eames, who was promoted to partner in 2010, are ‘extremely professional’ and ‘undoubted experts’.
‘Premier’ firm Stephens Scown LLP recently acted in a family dispute involving companies worth £30m, which included complex tax considerations and inherited wealth issues, and also in several high-value divorces. Practice head Liz Allen is recommended, along with the ‘cool-headed, efficient’ Bill Wilkins and the ‘enthusiastic, sensible’ Mark Smith.
Ashfords LLP displays ‘efficiency and expertise, coupled with a high level of client care’. The team handles a range of divorce, financial settlements and childcare matters, with recent matters including a divorce and ancillary relief case involving four different companies and business assets exceeding £2m. Rachel Edwards heads the practice.
Foot Anstey’s team offers ‘excellent mediation and advocacy skills’, and acts on high-value matrimonial, childcare and family cases. Practice head Helen Bull is ‘Plymouth’s most respected and liked family lawyer’. Mark Chanter heads the high-value matrimonial practice.
Hartnell Chanot & Partners is a comprehensive and specialist divorce and family practice, with armed forces and police cases an area of niche expertise. Norman Hartnell is recommended.
Lester Aldridge LLP’s team provides advice that is ‘always reliable, considered and reassuring’. It has expertise in fertility matters, and cases with an international element. John Randle is ‘always extremely courteous and provides greatly trusted advice’, and team head Jane Porter is ‘first rate’.
Michelmores LLP’s ‘competent and prompt’ team offers the full range of services and is headed by Simon Thomas, who is ‘very good, sensible and resolute if necessary’. Vanessa Priddis is recommended for childcare matters. Zoe Porter made partner in 2010.
Rickerbys LLP acted in a number of complex matters, including a case involving a child with a limiting, long-term illness and a divorce case involving substantial business interests in the Caribbean. Carolyn Green heads the practice.
Stone King LLP’s practice fields four collaborative lawyers and three accredited mediators. The group’s workload includes substantial non-domicile cases, civil partnership financial orders, and many four-way and collaborative negotiations. Practice head John Brownrigg provides ‘calm and consistent advice’, and is ‘kind and considerate’.
Stones Solicitors LLP’s team is led by David Howell-Richardson, who is an expert in children matters. Graham Simm specialises in financial issues arising from divorce and separation.
TLT LLP’s team, which is now led by David Woodward, acted in a divorce with a financial settlement involving US and English companies and several overseas properties. David Wheeler, a ‘careful and pleasant practitioner’, has noteworthy expertise in foreign abduction matters. Former practice head Alison Hawes moved to Irwin Mitchell LLP.
Thrings LLP acted for a client with interests in various hedge funds and numerous other significant assets in the UK and overseas. Other cases involved armed forces personnel. Joint practice heads Fiona Kellow and Gwyn Randolph are recommended.
At Tozers LLP, team head Tracy Lambert and Tony Wood provide ‘excellent advice’, have ‘excellent advocacy and mediation skills’, and are ‘appropriate and professional’. Children matters are a key area for the firm.
Wilsons’ team is led by Christopher Nisbet, who is ‘very commercial and provides clients with realistic, robust advice’. Katharine Shaw acts in a ‘sensible, professional manner’, and is ‘not phased by aggression from the other side’. The practice is attracting increasingly high-value instructions.
Richard Ellis’ four-strong team at Withy King LLP acts on a range of family matters. Jon Toogood is ‘friendly, polite, discreet, but to the point’. Richard Everitt is ‘highly proficient and professional’.
Battens Solicitors Limited’s Leanne Weatherill is recommended.
Victoria Daniell at Gregg Latchams WRH is well regarded.
Michael Cook at Horsey Lightly Fynn is recommended.
Irwin Mitchell LLP’s new Bristol team is led by the ‘pre-eminent’ Alison Hawes.
Jonathan Talbot leads a ‘very efficient and kind’ team at Laceys.
Parker Bullen LLP’s team is ‘uniformly excellent, sound, timely and shrewd’, especially the ‘exceptionally good’ Tricia Gower.
At Porter Dodson, Julia Perrins provides ‘excellent advice, and a sympathetic and understanding approach’; and Richard Baker is also recommended.
David Stokes at The Stokes Partnership is recommended.
Trethowans LLP’s Andrew Mercer is ‘knowledgeable, experienced, empathetic’.
Oliver Early at Veale Wasbrough Vizards is recommended.
Willans LLP’s James Grigg is ‘commercial, robust and very professional’.
Personal tax, trusts and probate
Personal tax, trusts and probate
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1
- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Charles Russell LLP Cheltenham
- Clarke Willmott LLP Taunton, Bristol
- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
- Michelmores LLP Exeter
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
- Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove Cheltenham
- Wilsons Salisbury
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2
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards Bristol
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3
- Ashfords LLP Exeter, Tiverton, Taunton
- Foot Anstey Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton
- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter, Truro
- Trethowans LLP Salisbury
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- Coodes Truro, St Austell
- Frettens LLP Christchurch
- Humphreys & Co. Bristol
- Laceys Bournemouth
- QualitySolicitors Burroughs Day Bristol
- Steele Raymond LLP Bournemouth
- Stone King LLP Bath
- Stones Solicitors LLP Exeter
- TLT LLP Bristol
- Thrings LLP Bath, Swindon, Bristol
- Willans LLP Cheltenham
- Withy King LLP Bath, Marlborough, Swindon
Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘high-calibre’ team whose clients include RBS Coutts and several families with multimillion-pound assets. Catherine Hallam heads the group, which includes the ‘extremely capable’ John Barnett.
Charles Russell LLP’s ‘excellent’ team is headed by Christopher Page and acts for many very high-net-worth individuals. Julia Cox is ‘second to none’ and ‘personable’.
Clarke Willmott LLP has a ‘first-rate’ team of ‘market-leaders’. It advises on 300 trusts, and took over all the private client work of the defunct Sisman Nichols. Tim Russ is ‘head and shoulders above the competition’; Anthony Fairweather is a ‘force’; and practice head Stuart Thorne is also recommended.
Lester Aldridge LLP’s ‘first-class’ group is led by the ‘exemplary’ Geoff Thomas, a contentious trust and probate expert. Richard Fairbairn is noted for his ‘business acumen and good client care’ and leads the tax and trusts team, and John Maddocks heads the international probate services practice.
Michelmores LLP provides ‘expansive knowledge’ and an ‘extremely professional service’. It acts on high-value matters, and was recently retained by the shareholders of a £50m property investment group. Practice head Will Michelmore is ‘very able, concise and approachable’; Adrian Miller is ‘much liked and admired’; and Tony Cockayne is also recommended.
Osborne Clarke’s ‘first-class’ team recently acted for a major investment bank in reviewing all English law trusts for which the client acts as investment manager. It also advised on a complex intestate estate, where the deceased was a Czech/UK national. Mark Woodward and practice head Sandra Brown are recommended.
Wiggin Osborne Fullerlove’s Matthew Cain has a notable specialism in creating tax-efficient structures for high-net-worth individuals.
Wilsons provides ‘exceptional service’ and expertise in advising foreign-resident and foreign-domiciled individuals on structuring investments and bringing funds to the UK. ‘Brilliant practitioner’ Frances Mayne heads the group, and Matthew Bennett is also recommended.
Rickerbys LLP’s team is ‘excellent in trusts and tax planning’, and has expertise advising agriculture and charities clients, and in assisting elderly and vulnerable individuals. Carolyn Green leads the practice, and Mark Hartley provides ‘sound, well-prepared and expert advice’.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards is ‘one of the best’ for contentious probate matters. The group acted in a case involving a multimillion-pound estate in the UK and Switzerland. Practice head Michelle Rose is a ‘bright, tough litigator, and excellent with clients’.
Ashfords LLP’s Michael Alden is a ‘first-class’ lawyer who ‘inspires confidence’. Jim McIntosh is also recommended.
Foot Anstey’s Angela Bridges demonstrates ‘great interpersonal skills and high professional competence’.
Stephens Scown LLP has ‘strength in numbers’ and handles many matters for high-net-worth clients. Practice head Graham Murdoch ‘does what he says he will, and on time’.
Trethowans LLP’s ‘knowledgeable, helpful and reliable’ team is headed by Elizabeth Webbe, and acted on several multimillion-pound private client matters. Miriam Tarrant-Smith is also recommended.
Coodes’ Richard Pollock is ‘warm, friendly, and professional, and inspires confidence’.
Frettens LLP’s Lee Young is recommended.
Humphreys & Co.’s Philip Siddons is a ‘very sound, mature and tenacious advocate’, with particular skills in disputed wills.
Laceys’ ‘exceptional’ Kate Mansfield produces work of the ‘highest quality’.
QualitySolicitors Burroughs Day’s ‘excellent and ever helpful’ Anne Minihane handles the gamut of personal tax and probate issues.
Steele Raymond LLP’s John Andrews is recommended.
Stone King LLP is ‘competitive; advice is always excellent and response times are good’. Alison Allen heads the team.
Helen Honeyball heads the team at Stones Solicitors LLP, where inheritance tax planning in agriculture is a specialism.
TLT LLP’s Patrick Wooddisse advises many international clients on high-value matters.
Thrings LLP’s Jim Sawer and William Wyldbore-Smith are recommended.
Willans LLP’s ‘client-friendly’ team, led by Jenifer Gillman, is ‘good value for money’.
David Rich heads Withy King LLP’s ‘excellent’ team, and Amanda Noyce takes a ‘very real personal interest’ in clients.