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Agriculture and estates

Wrigleys is widely viewed as a market leader in agricultural matters, acting for a range of entrepreneurs, farmers and landed estates in the north of England. Its expertise includes estate purchases, tenancy restructures and farm sales, and it has recently been advising a number of farm owners on leasing land for the development of energy and mining projects. Jonathan Attey heads thegroup, and Paul Nash is recommended for property issues.

Denison Till advises landed estates on commercial premises leases, registrations and land sales. Henry Beckwith and Johanne Spittle are the key contacts for agricultural tax planning and contentious matters respectively. Commercial property specialist David Grice oversees the team.

Harrowells LLP is ‘absolutely excellent’; it provides ‘effective, commercial solutions’, and the firm’s 2011 merger with agriculture boutique Hileys Solicitors increased its stronghold in North Yorkshire. James Scott heads the team, which includes the ‘fantastic’ David Black, who is ‘practical, professional and commercially astute’.

McCormicks provides commercial advice to trusts, landowners and estates, including the Belper Estate. The ‘excellent’ team is ‘very efficient’; led by Peter McCormick, it includes number of ‘sound’ and ‘reliable’ commercial property and private client lawyers.

Rollits LLP provides ‘trusted advice’ on rural and commercial transactions; clients note the ‘excellent’ service and the team’s ‘high level of expertise and experience’. Practice head Neil Franklin advises on land-based developments and multimillion-pound farm sales and estate purchases.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises landed estates on inheritance issues and land transactions. Real estate lawyer James Stone works closely with the firm’s private client practice.

Consultant Martin Whitehead heads the cross-departmental team at Andrew Jackson. It advises landowners, farming partnerships and financial institutions on leases, property acquisitions and renewable energy developments.

Grays represents farmers, landowners and landed estates on matters ranging from farm business tenancies to letting arrangements and land purchases. Key contact Lyn Rickatson is recommended for estate diversification advice.

Langleys Solicitors LLP provides an ‘appropriate and timely service’, and has ‘exceptional strength’ in relation to estate trusts, rental agreements and land registration. The ‘proactive’ Giles Scott is recommended, alongside David Garfitt, who is a ‘pleasure to deal with’.

Stamp Jackson & Procter’s senior partner Andrew Procter has vast experience in agricultural matters. Commercial property lawyer Simon Gittings advises rural landowners.

Charities

Wrigleys’ ‘efficient’ team provides an ‘impressive level of service’, acting for NGOs, universities and arts groups. Practice head Malcolm Lynch brings ‘innovative solutions’ to governance and complex structural issues, while property specialist Chris Billington has strong ties with several trusts schools. Sylvie Nunn recently advised international client GAVI Alliance on a UK venture. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is also a client.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises charitable trusts, amateur sports associations, and charitable funds on registration, M&A and tax structures. Private capital specialist Pervinder Kaur heads the group, and Paul Howell regularly advises on Charity Commission investigations.

Gordons LLP has recently recruited Ros Harwood from Dickinson Dees LLP’s York office. She is a leading charities lawyer with a strong reputation for advice to national charities on structural issues, governance and trustee matters.

McCormicks represents sports, education and religious organisations. Managing partner Peter McCormick advises the FA Premier League on charity-related issues, and Richard Crabb recently advised Harrogate International Festivals on brand management issues. Other notable clients include The War Memorials Trust.

Pinsent Masons LLP has ‘excellent client relationships’ and ‘in-depth sector knowledge’. It regularly advises universities and third parties linked to charitable organisations on trusts and public benefit matters.Group head Janet Hoskin has ‘extensive expertise in the field’.

Rollits LLP’s Gerry Morrison and his team provide ‘excellent levels of service’, and ‘timely’ advice. The group advises regional charities and exempt organisations on trusts and regulatory matters. It recently acted for Goodwin Development Trust on a social enterprise project, and for Hull College on the creation of a multi-academy trust.

Irwin Mitchell is noted for its ‘business acumen’, ‘responsiveness’, and ‘industry knowledge’. The group advises Yorkshire-based leisure, arts and medical charities on matters such as state aid and property transactions, and is led by the ‘experienced’ Michael Longden.

The ‘friendly’ and ‘efficient’ team at Lupton Fawcett LLP has ‘strong knowledge of the charities sector’. The ‘excellent’ Duncan Milwain heads the practice, and specialises in structuring new social enterprises such as Community Interest Companies. Key clients of the group include Lyvennet and St George’s Crypt.

Andrew Jackson is noted for its ‘strength in depth’, and ‘first-class response times’. Kevin Webster assists regional charities with incorporation, property transactions and general commercial activities.

Denison Till’s Lionel Lennox is experienced in ecclesiastical law, and counts the Archbishop of York as a client. David Grice advises on property issues relating to church land.

Hempsons’ team is ‘very competent’ and ‘reactive’, with a ‘depth of specialist knowledge and experience’ in the third sector. Heart Research UK and BTCV are key clients. Catherine Rustomji displays ‘commendable clarity of vision’.

Family: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire

At Jones Myers Partnership, founding partner Peter Jones is an experienced divorce lawyer, while Kate Banerjee leads the children department. Other notable practitioners include the ‘standout’ Richard Peaker, who has represented a number of regional farming clients. Consultant Norman Taylor handles complex financial matters.

The team at Mills & Reeve LLP is ‘prompt’, ‘careful’ and ‘co-operative’, and provides an ‘excellent service’. It has a leading reputation in the region, and is regularly called upon to advise high-net-worth individuals in relation to matrimonial disputes, pre-nuptial agreements and child cases. David Salter oversees the team, which includes Philip Way and the ‘very thorough’ Joanna Grandfield.

The ‘outstanding’ team at Stewarts Law LLP acts for entrepreneurs and other wealthy individuals in financial disputes. Practice head Simon Preston is ‘a force to be reckoned with’, and associate Angela Green is ‘helpful’, with a ‘professional yet understanding’ approach.

Stowe Family Law LLP is regularly instructed by executives in high-value matrimonial disputes. Marilyn Stowe handles relationship breakdown cases, while managing partner Julian Hawkhead provides financial advice, and Stephen Hopwood heads the children team.

Blacks Solicitors LLP provides ‘considered’ and ‘measured’ advice, and is experienced in collaborative law matters. Divorce specialist Ann Robinson leads the team, and is recommended along with Paul Lancaster.

Clarion’s ‘depth of quality’ enables it to handle children cases and financial disputes in a ‘caring and considered manner’, and it has a ‘strong reputation’ for divorce settlements and ancillary relief proceedings. The ‘empathetic’ and ‘motivated’ Justine Osmotherley gives ‘fair and measured advice’, and ‘makes clients feel well supported’.

DWF LLP has an excellent reputation for advising wealthy individuals. It recently acted in one of Yorkshire’s largest divorces, which involved significant cross-border issues. Team head Carol Grundell is ‘very thorough’, and ‘goes the extra mile’.

Gordons LLP has significant experience in High Court family disputes, and regularly advises on financial settlements, cohabitation issues and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Peter Foskett is recommended.

Irwin Mitchell advises entrepreneurs on family law related financial matters, and also has experience in contested adoptions and civil partnerships. Peter Morris is praised for his ‘professional manner’.

Lake Legal LLP’s niche family practice is relatively new. Lyn Ayrton is recommended, and is experienced in handling financial disputes involving high-net-worth individuals.

Lupton Fawcett LLP’s practice is headed by collaborative lawyer Anne Braithwaite, and advises on all family issues, particularly financial disputes arising out of divorce.

Family: Elsewhere in Yorkshire

Andrew Jackson’s advice is of the ‘highest standard’. It has experience in structural planning for pre-nuptial agreements, and in advising high-net-worth individuals on financial issues. Richard Hoare is ‘extremely pragmatic’.

Howells has a sizeable practice, and is particularly strong in children cases; it advises on cross-border adoption matters as well as co-habitation agreements and finance disputes. Alyson Siddall leads the matrimonial team, while Jonathan Whybrow oversees the children group.

Irwin Mitchell’s ‘excellent’ practice has ‘very good individuals’, including the ‘practical’ Martin Loxley, who is ‘as experienced as they come’ in children’s welfare cases and divorce settlements. Zoe Round ‘excels in client management’.

Graysons with Watson Esam was boosted by the return of Sandra Russell in 2011. Michelle Cooper heads the six-fee-earner team.

Taylor & Emmet LLP is ‘efficient’ at handling both legal aid and privately funded cases. Michaela Heathcote oversees the group, and Pat Lennon is an ‘extremely safe pair of hands’ on the ancillary relief side. The firm merged with Hallam Mediation in 2011.

Gosschalks advises on contentious parental issues, pre-nuptial agreements and divorces. Ian Lanch heads the group, and Ashlie Prescott is recommended for financial and children matters.

Sheridan Ball leads the team at Rollits LLP, which works closely with the firm’s tax, trusts and property lawyers to advise on matters such as the division of assets following matrimonial breakdown.

Williamsons’ family group is led by Sarah Clubley, and advises on divorce and childcare cases.

Personal tax, trusts and probate

Wrigleys’ nine-partner team is ‘professional’, ‘extremely competent’, and ‘responsive’, advising wealthy individuals on matters such as tax planning, estate restructuring and offshore trusts. Matthew Wrigley and Andrew Wriglesworth have a ‘thorough understanding of the issues that affect land and estate owners’. Marie-Louise Hamilton and Sheffield-based Lynne Bradey are also recommended.

Pervinder Kaur’s team at Addleshaw Goddard LLP has a strong base of entrepreneur clients and a growing Indian business practice. The group advises on succession issues, Beddoe applications and proprietary estoppel claims. Corporate partner Tim Wheldon provides additional tax planning expertise.

Andrew Jackson is praised for its ‘professional approach’; it advises beneficiaries and trustees on estate handling, contentious inheritance claims and trusts administration. Kevin Webster leads the two-partner group.

Gordons LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team advises wealthy clients on will structures, family settlements and trusts. ‘Proactive’ practice head Frances Davies has ‘excellent interpersonal skills’. Martin Holdsworth is the key contact for contentious matters.

Irwin Mitchell’s ‘experienced’ team is valued for its extensive knowledge of contentious probate and trust matters, and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. It is a ‘truly specialist group’, and is ‘transparent in its service delivery’. Louise Sykes is recommended.

Pinsent Masons LLP acts for a national player in the insurance market, as well as entrepreneurs and other wealthy individuals, advising on tax planning and commercial trust drafting. Janet Hoskin is recommended for offshore trust and inheritance tax matters.

Rollits LLP provides ‘quality’ estate planning and trusteeship advice on a ‘timely basis’. ‘Wise’ and ‘reliable’ practice head John Lane is an ‘experienced and proven performer’.

Clarion’s ‘professional and trustworthy’ team advises on wills, potential tax liabilities, and subsequent mitigation. Sara Rogers has a ‘genuine concern for clients’ welfare’.

Denison Till’s Henry Beckwith is ‘knowledgeable’, and ‘very practical’. The group is experienced in complex probate cases.

Ford & Warren advises on inheritance tax planning, under the leadership of senior associate Ben Lowe.

Grays advises on wills, interest relief, and the taxation of trusts.

HLW Keeble Hawson provides trusts and estate planning advice to high-net-worth clients. George Connell is the name to note.

David Garfitt leads an ‘excellent’ team at Langleys Solicitors LLP, which provides ‘concise advice’ on inheritance tax planning and probate matters.

Lupton Fawcett LLP advises on estate planning, asset preservation and family trusts. ‘Outstanding’ team head Duncan Milwain shows a ‘high level of integrity, combined with empathy, kindness and understanding’.

McCormicks advises on tax planning, estate administration and charitable trusts.

The 'extremely professional' Julia Rangecroft heads the team at Mills & Reeve LLP, having joined the firm in September 2011. She advises trusts, charities and individuals on estate planning matters, and has 'encyclopedic knowledge' of tax law.

Diana Smart heads a three-partner team at Taylor & Emmet LLP, which handles personal tax planning, wills, and contentious probate matters.

Michael Tunbridge’s eight-fee-earner team at Wake Smith LLP advises in relation to estate administration, high-value trust funds, and inheritance tax mitigation.

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