Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP > Uckfield, England > Firm Profile

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP
THE COURTYARD
RIVER WAY
UCKFIELD
TN22 1SL
England

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2

Frequently handling the sale and development of farming land throughout Kent and Sussex, Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP is led by the ‘faultless’ Richard CrippsOliver Bussell is knowledgeable of environmental issues and planning applications, while Ian Best in Uckfield is adept in tax reliefs. Bruce Clarke is based in Sevenoaks and assists clients with probate and estate administration. Individuals mentioned split their team between Sevenoaks and Ashford, unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Richard Cripps

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘I would recommend Rix & Kay to any fellow farmer, they are up to speed and understand the life of a farmer. They are well equipped to guide you though your legal queries.’

‘We can’t fault the team – always excellent service with a great breadth of experience.’

‘Richard Cripps is always faultless.’

‘Ian Best of Rix & Kay has been a great help in guiding me though my legal problems and advice with my will and other inheritance issues. Ian has aways been available or quick to reply to me when ever I have had any questions or queries.’

Work highlights

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 2

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s core offering involves advising high-net-worth individuals and families on tax, specialist trusts and succession planning matters. The private client team, which spans the Kent and Sussex regions, collaborates with the corporate practice to act for business owners, directors and shareholders. Team leader Bruce Clarke has wide-ranging private client experience and advises on complex tax and estate planning work, creating and administering trusts, and advising on powers of attorney and mental capacity law. Clients praise Ian Best as an ‘exceptional asset’ to the practice; he has specialist expetise in will drafting, probate and trust tax compliance work. Member of STEP Max Wright has extensive knowledge of capital tax planning issues, CGT, IHT, trusts and succession planning, as well as cross-border work.

Practice head(s):

Bruce Clarke

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Ian Best has looked after us for many years now. We have worked through inheritance tax issues, house gifting, wills, powers of attorney and have at all times been met with friendly, supportive, in-depth, knowledgeable support and guidance. Ian is an exceptional asset to the company.’

‘Individual personal service is offered.’

‘Max Wright has in-depth knowledge of personal legal affairs helping with wills, powers of attorney and inheritance tax planning.’

‘Good coverage of specialism for a non-London firm, with some excellent experience among the team and a “can do” approach to new enquiries.’

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3

The ‘collaborative and diverse’ lawyers at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s office in Uckfield have expertise in corporate transactions including sales and acquisitions of share capital and management buyouts. Heading up the practice is Kathryn Paisley, who works with businesses of all sizes on sales and purchases, shareholders’ agreements and joint ventures. The ‘highly experienced, reliable and knowledgeable’ Tim Sadka often acts as a deal maker for owner managed SMEs, while consultant Alan Zeal has significant experience in advising on complex M&A matters in the IT and insurance sectors.

Practice head(s):

Kathryn Paisley

Other key lawyers:

Tim Sadka; Alan Zeal; Daniel Halls

Testimonials

‘The corporate and commercial team work as a collaborative and diverse unit across a number of locations in the South East of England. The team has ready access to complimentary specialists. This allows complex transactions to be completed without the need for multiple advisers from different firms. The size and culture of the firm gives all parties confidence that the matter in hand will be dealt with efficiently, competently, respectfully and with personality. The structure of the practice also allows delivery of a quality service that is good value.’

‘Most of my contact is through Tim Sadka who I have worked with throughout my career. Tim and his colleagues all have an eye for detail, pride themselves on being technically excellent but still deliver practical and commercial solutions that clients understand and last the test of time. The team always seems to deliver value. Tim in particular is forthright in his approach, deals with difficult issues well and in a timely fashion, meaning that time is not wasted which on large commercial transactions is an essential personality trait.’

‘The team comprises a range of experienced staff who deal with matters in a prompt and efficient manner.’

‘Tim Sadka is a highly experienced, reliable and knowledgeable lawyer who deals with any matter in a practical, pragmatic and no-nonsense fashion. Tim is not afraid to offer alternative solutions to complex problems, often simplifying what could potentially be burdensome strategies.’

‘We have used Rix and Kay for a number of years for our corporate requirements and at times this has crossed into personal legal dealings. We found that the collaboration between departments was seamless and they also took our own suggestions into consideration so it felt more like a partnership with them. Everything was explained clearly and professionally, and not using terminology that would be difficult to understand.’

‘My main dealings have been with Kathryn Paisley and her team. Kathryn worked tirelessly to ensure a good outcome for me on the share purchase of my business. Kathryn always came up with a solution which allowed a positive outcome for both parties. She not only provided professional advice but also was a good sounding board for me, especially when the situation became more stressful. I felt Kathryn genuinely had an interest in the case, she kept me fully informed at all stages of timescales and became a good friend during the transaction. That personal touch is what makes all the difference and I have recommended her services to other professionals since.’

‘Highly capable team of lawyers offering proactive advice. They are dedicated and hard working with a strong desire to get an excellent result for their client. The team take great care to guide and explain all matters to clients.’

‘Alan Zeal and Kathryn Paisley are exceptional lawyers that are dedicated to their clients and determined to achieve a great result. Great care is taken to look after the client’s best interests and ensure that a client fully understands the matter.’

Key clients

DNV Investments Limited

Shareholders of Dutysheet Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised an individual client on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of an independent financial planning business as a way of buying out their fellow shareholder and director.
  • Advised DNV Investments on a management buyout.
  • Advised shareholders of DutySheet Limited on the sale of a high-tech niche software company specialising in rostering for a significant sum to Access.

Employment > Employment: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP provides a ‘very personalised and bespoke service’ in employment law to corporates and SMEs, and clients also benefit from the ‘responsive’ and ‘easy to use’ GatekeeperHR service. In Sevenoaks, Elaine Abbs is recommended. Amy White and previous practice head Bruce Hayter have left the firm, as has Victoria Regan.

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team are always polite and helpful, assisting when required.’

‘The firm offers a very personalised and bespoke service. As a growing SME we can utilise many of the services offered by Rix & Kay. Not only are they quick to respond and proactive, they also keep us regularly informed of up and coming legislation and best practice. Elaine Abbs has been particularly helpful with some complicated cases.’

‘I have dealt with Elaine Abbs and I have found her to be extremely helpful, reassuring and supportive. The team help guide us through processes step by step, I am very impressed by them all.’

‘A very approachable, friendly and professional team that is supportive. A good mix of disciplines which means that our business needs can all be met by the broader team.’

‘Rix and Kay have been able to provide a very professional and effective service in a very complex and emotive area of the law.’

‘We have engaged the services of Rix and Kay over numerous years and found them to be extremely helpful and knowledgeable where we needed help and advice on disciplinary matters and redundancies, we have no need to move solicitors as we have every confidence in the service they provide.’

Key clients

Buxted Medical Centre

Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust

Active Sussex

Sussex Bed Centre Holdings Limited

Blue Strawberry Group Limited

Shareholders of DutySheet Limited

Conservation Without Borders

Work highlights

  • Working with Buxted Medical Centre to assist the client in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and inspections.
  • Advising Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust in connection with a reorganisation and restructuring exercise which has involved the reviewing and standardisation of contracts.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3

Led by Richard Cripps who splits his time between Sevenoaks and Ashford, the multi-disciplinary team Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP handles commercial, employment, in addition to governance property issues. Alan Zeal in Uckfield has assisted an assortment of rugby football clubs in their transition to community interest companies.

Practice head(s):

Richard Cripps

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They are always very approachable and collaborate well with other partner organisations.’

Key clients

Conservation Without Borders

The Russell Martin Foundation

Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex

Active Sussex

Brighton & Hove Philharmonic Society

Balls for Brains

Crawley Town Community Foundation

Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (East Sussex WRAS)

Work highlights

  • Advising Conservation Without Borders in connection with their Flight of the Ospreys expedition.
  • Advised the Russell Martin Foundation on the development of its flagship Southwick Football Club ground.
  • Advised The Brighton & Hove Philharmonic Society Limited on the implementation of new corporate structures.

Real estate > Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3

The ‘widely experienced’ Sevenoaks-based team at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP has recently acted on land developments, secured lending issues and M&A transactions, and advised on property portfolio management and landlord and tenant matters. New arrival from Knights plc Jo Marshall heads up the team and has a reputation for assisting developer, landowner and investor clients with development and regeneration projects. Managing partner Richard Cripps acts on commercial and residential developments with particular expertise in the agricultural sector. Planning law expert Oliver Bussell is another key lawyer.

Practice head(s):

Jo Marshall

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The Commercial property team are widely experienced and have the capability to deal with all commercial property matters, whether large or small.’

‘Good and dedicated individuals were assigned to my work, particularly Richard Cripps.’

Key clients

Turkey Mill Investments Limited

Lenham Storage Company Limited

Chartwell Land and New Homes Ltd

Work highlights

  • Successfully negotiated and secured new or renewed leases with 20 tenants on behalf of Turkey Mill and dealt with the rebanking of the business park.
  • Advised Lenham Storage on all its property requirements for more than seven years, completing more than 5 transactions in 2022 relating to its and associated parties’ portfolios.
  • Instructed to advise on a range of matters relating to large-scale development projects including a complex s106 variation on a built-out site, securing Option Agreements on land for a development focused in South London and Surrey and ongoing work in connection with development funding facilities.

Real estate > Construction Tier 3

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 3

Recently engaged in stadium development projects, the ‘excellent’  team Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP acts for a spectrum of professional and grassroot clients. Richard Cripps leads the department from Sevenoaks and is often handling strategic development matters, while Alan Zeal in Uckfield is adept in constitutions and governance.

Practice head(s):

Richard Cripps

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Rix & Kay have been an excellent company to work with.’

 

Key clients

Conservation Without Borders

Canterbury Rugby Football Club

The Russell Martin Foundation

Ansty Village Centre Steering Committee Trust

St Peters Cricket Club (Brighton)

Tom Hicks (Polar Explorer)

Seaford Rugby Football Club

Active Sussex

Crawley Town Community Foundation

Balls for Brains

Numerous Rugby Football Clubs

Work highlights

  • Acted for Conservation Without Borders in connection with its Flight of The Ospreys expedition.
  • Provided strategic advice as well as general employment law advice to Canterbury Rugby Football Club.
  • Advised the Russell Martin Foundation on a new flagship acquisition and development of Southwick Football Club ground.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Kent, Surrey and Sussex Tier 4

Operating out of the firm's Sussex and Kent offices, the team at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP has expertise in commercial, restructuring, insolvency and construction disputes. The team’s client roster features SME businesses and professional services companies, particularly in the accountancy space. Heading up the team is commercial disputes and restructuring and insolvency expert Richard Ludlow. Dan Sherlock specialises in construction disputes, while Alistair Rustemeyer has built the firm’s contentious probate practice, acting for high-net-worth individuals.

Practice head(s):

Richard Ludlow

Other key lawyers:

Dan Sherlock; Alistair Rustemeyer; Katie Tizzard; Caroline Knowles-Ley

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP works in conjunction with the firm’s corporate lawyers to advise business directors and owners with assets and personal wealth. The ‘skilful litigator’ Alistair Rustemeyer leads the team from Brighton and is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists.

Practice head(s):

Alistair Rustemeyer

Other key lawyers:

Max Wright; Bruce Clarke; Janet Raeburn

Testimonials

‘Alistair Rustemeyer is a skilful litigator in this area. He provides the client with in depth knowledge and a strategy to secure a resolution.’

Work highlights

Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 4

In Uckfield, ‘well-established firm’ Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP fields a ‘very personable, friendly and approachable’ family law team that regularly acts for high-net-worth clients, business owners and directors in divorces, separations, civil partnership dissolutions, financial settlements involving company assets and inheritance, and litigation. Member of Resolution Janet Raeburn is well versed in assisting with matters involving children and the safeguarding of personal and business assets for future generations.

Practice head(s):

Janet Raeburn

Other key lawyers:

Craig Yeung-Williams

Testimonials

‘Rix & Kay is a very well-established firm that I was recommended by an acquaintance who had similar issues to my own that required legal advice. I have found all the team members to be very professional at all levels and roles. I am kept up to date regularly with the current progress and situation of my case.’

‘My principal solicitor and contact at Rix & Kay is Janet Raeburn. Janet is a thoroughly professional individual and has provided a deeply knowledgeable service from the beginning of our work together. I have every confidence that Janet will achieve positive results for my case. Her work is to be highly commended.’

‘The people at Rix & Kay are very personable, friendly and approachable. They are quick to respond and efficient in all my dealings with them.’

‘Janet Raeburn’s client care is very good. Craig Yeung-Williams is very personable and has a good grasp of the law.’

‘I know Craig Yeung-Williams who is excellent. The firm certainly has an excellent reputation in East Sussex.’

‘Craig Yeung-Williams is pragmatic and calm but totally on top of his cases. I have only done financial remedy cases with him where he has shown a towering command of the figures and is very impressive and quick to identify solutions.’

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery

Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP handles a myriad of insolvency issues for trustees in bankruptcy, distressed companies and directors. The team is led by Richard Ludlow, who divides his time between Sevenoaks and Kent, and has broad experience in representing liquidators.

Rix & Kay is a full service law firm with offices in East Kent (Ashford), Brighton & Hove, West Kent (Hadlow) and East Sussex (Uckfield). We retain a strong regional presence across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and London and work in partnership with business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals, providing expert legal advice across a wide range of legal services.

We also work in partnership with some of the most successful organisations in the UK both on national and international projects.

Our mission is to ‘make law easy for you’ by providing legal services through dedicated, highly trained, teams that engage deeply with clients.

We help you to create, grow and protect your business wealth by taking the time to understand your goals before delivering the right blend of legal services to achieve them.

Our background of working with some of the most successful business owners and entrepreneurs in the UK allows us to give you uniquely commercial advice based on experience.

We have specialist and multi-disciplinary teams of lawyers and professionals that work seamlessly together to provide commercially-focused advice that enhances all the key operations of a successful business.

Our key service groups include:

Rix & Kay’s specialist sectors include:

Department Name Email Telephone
Managing Partner Richard Cripps richardcripps@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Dispute Resolution) Richard Ludlow richardludlow@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Dispute Resolution) Alistair Rustemeyer alistairrustemeyer@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Corporate & Commercial) Kathryn Paisley kathrynpaisley@rixandkay.co.uk
Consultant (Corporate & Commercial) Alan Zeal alanzeal@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Commercial Property) Jo Evans joevans@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Residential Property) Angela Arnold angelaarnold@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Employment) Victoria Regan victoriaregan@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Family) Janet Raeburn janetraeburn@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Family) Rebecca Jones rebeccajones@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Private Client) Bruce Clarke bruceclarke@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Private Client) Max Wright maxwright@rixandkay.co.uk
Partner (Private Client) Ian Best ianbest@rixandkay.co.uk
Photo Name Position Profile
Ian Best photo Ian Best Ian is Head of Rix & Kay’s Probate Team based in Uckfield…
Kathryn Paisley photo Kathryn Paisley Kathryn leads Rix & Kay’s Corporate and Commercial team and is a specialist in…
Janet Raeburn photo Janet Raeburn Janet is Partner and a specialist family and divorce lawyer in Sussex…
Victoria Regan photo Victoria Regan Victoria is Partner and a highly experienced Employment lawyer and a senior…
Tim Sadka photo Tim Sadka Tim is a Partner in the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team and…
Alan Zeal photo Alan Zeal Alan is a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team and…
Number of UK partners : 13
Number of other UK fee-earners : 50