Birketts LLP has a large agriculture and estate practice that is led by Chris Coupland in Norwich. He focuses on agricultural property matters including freehold sales and purchases, landlord and tenant matters and renewable energy projects. Also in Norwich, head of private client Jack Royall is a long-standing adviser to the farming community on property and succession planning matters, and up-and-coming partner Sophia Key is ‘exceptional in giving sound and practical advice that meets the client’s objectives‘. In Cambridge, Rachel McKillop-Wilkin in Cambridge and James Dinwiddy in Ipswich ‘understand the issues and are highly effective‘. Also in Ipswich, senior associate Tom Verrill is an agricultural property specialist.

HCR Hewitsons in Cambridge ‘works to a high professional standard, is well informed, and covers all necessary disciplines and covers them well‘. In 2021, the firm handled sales and purchases of agricultural land with a total value in excess of £250m. It also acted for landowners in strategic land agreements valued at more than £700m. Head of agriculture and rural affairs Denise Wilkinson and private client partner Elizabeth Davies, who frequently leads the agriculture team’s work on estates matters, are ‘both thorough, tenacious and responsive‘. Wilkinson, who is ‘pragmatic and very focused‘, has a broad practice advising smaller farmers, landed estates or major institutions. Newly promoted partner James Frankland handles property matters, as does legal director Emily Pumfrey, who joined from Greenwoods Legal.

Mills & Reeve LLP is 'excellent at dealing with complex matters on agricultural estates such as development land and also tax issues', and clients praise its 'ability to understand the issues and its speedy and efficient response times'. The firm has a national practice for rural land transactions and the Cambridge and Norwich offices are key hubs for the broader practice, which is one of the largest specialist agricultural property teams in the UK, comprising 27 lawyers. Michael Aubrey, who works in Cambridge and London and is joint head of the firm’s food and agribusiness sector. Property specialist Amanda Tagg in Cambridge has extensive experience of rural land development and renewable energy projects and real estate investment and asset management.

Roythornes Solicitors ‘understands the mechanics of land title and the associated accounting principles, giving advice in a calm practical way to get a positive resolution‘. Agricultural matters are a core focus for the firm and its Alconbury office is home to substantial experience and expertise. Julie Robinson, who is a former chief legal adviser to the NFU, is active in advising on agricultural landlord/tenant matters and joint ventures between farmers. Tim Russ is a specialist in Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and contentious farm partnership and property claims. Up-and-coming partner Claire Hindmarsh has extensive expertise in dealing with land subject to secure Agricultural Holding Act tenancies and their surrender, particularly in relation to commercial development. Senior associate Kirsten Rimmer also plays a key role in the practice.

The agricultural and rural affairs practice at Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds has a diverse client base that ranges from long-established estate owners to new investors. It frequently handles farm sales, Settled Land Act matters, tenancies and succession planning. Lead partner Jonathan Mathers is a key adviser to farming partnerships and companies, trusts, investors and charities. Property specialist Hugo Greer-Walker advised Viscountess Marcia Blakenham and The Honourable Caspar Hare on the complex sale of part of their estate to facilitate a large warehouse development on neighbouring land which is being built on the A14 corridor. The sale had to balance the interests of the Scottish Power wind turbine scheme and the adjoining glasshouse agricultural business.

Howes Percival LLP has a broad practice that advises on farm and estate sales, environmental schemes, tenancies and tax structuring, though its forte is trusts and estate matters. Practice head Catherine Scott leads a four-partner group in Norwich, in which private client partner Stuart Maggs provides strategic advice for families and trusts on their business and personal matters, including preparing wills, estate planning, trusts, powers of attorney. Katharine Danks is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and advises on a range of matters including trusts, taxation, land law, agricultural holdings, Town and Country Planning and the Common Agricultural Policy.

Hunt & Coombs LLP in Peterborough is known for its ‘local knowledge, long-term stability and reliability‘. The firm’s property work includes site acquisition, assembly and disposal, as well as joint ventures, infrastructure and planning agreements, farm business tenancies and other lettings. Property partner Anna Spriggs leads the agriculture and estates practice, and she advises businesses ranging from multimillion-pound commercial enterprises to small ecclesiastical property funds. Henry Anstey and, in Oundle, Paddy Appleton (who ‘provides excellent service regarding probate and wills‘) have extensive experience in dealing with rural estates. Sallyann Short in Huntingdon also focuses on agricultural family estates.

Tees Law in Cambridge is known for 'attention to detail, prompt response to queries and questions and understanding clients needs'. Senior partner Catherine Mowat and 'very professional and approachable' associate Alex Waples lead the Cambridge agriculture and estates practice. Mowat assists private landowners and farming families with the administration of complex rural estates and succession planning, as well as wills and powers of attorney. Waples, who leads the rural property team along with partner James Dowson, predominantly handles farm and land disposals and acquisitions, leasehold arrangements, diversification projects, renewables and farming partnership agreements for individual farmers, farming partnerships and corporate entities, as well as landed estates.

The Peterborough office of Greenwoods Legal ‘offers a range of services and can cover a number of areas from both a commercial and employment law perspective‘. The firm supports supporting individuals and businesses in the agricultural sector in succession planning, strategic growth, Brexit issues and employment matters. Employment partner Stephanie Wilcox leads the practice following the departure of Emily Pumfrey to HCR Hewitsons. Wilcox is backed up by property partner Samantha East and, in Cambridge, wealth preservation partner Clare Harris. Peterborough-based employment partner Keith Williams is ‘very approachable and responsive, and he considers a situation from a commercial perspective as well as a legal one‘.