Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP > Sevenoaks, England > Firm Profile
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP Offices

16 SOUTH PARK
SEVENOAKS
TN13 1AN
England
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Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2
The team at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP , which comprises ‘excellent communicators without ego’, is led by Sevenoaks-based managing partner Richard Cripps, who has a strong track record of commercial property work. The team also includes experienced practitioners in the firm’s other offices in Uckfield and Ashford. Typical work handled includes property sales, estate management and development work; the firm also handles private client matters for high-net-worth individuals.Practice head(s):
Richard Cripps
Other key lawyers:
David Ashton; Oliver Bussell
Testimonials
‘We have found Richard Cripps to be especially good. Calm and reassuring, extremely proactive and engaging.’
‘David Ashton was our principal contact – an excellent man; he knows all the right answers and protected our interest throughout the sale.’
‘Oliver Bussell has dealt with our ongoing issue, going above and beyond to achieve a satisfactory outcome.’
‘I had the need for a specialist firm to deal with my land sale issues. Rix & Kay were recommended to me by another agent that I’ve had previous business with, the solicitor and clerk that dealt with my affairs were very personable and patient with me as I have little to no knowledge of law.’
‘Always had good honest answers to all our queries, everything dealt with in a calm professional manner.’
‘I would be very happy to engage Oliver Bussell’s services again for property and lease issues.’
‘A terrific team – excellent communicators without an ego!’
Key clients
The Goods Shed Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised the Goods Shed, the operator of a high quality farmers market in Canterbury, on the purchase of 100 acres of agriculture land which will be the subject of a sustainable farming project.
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 2
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP specialises in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on specialist trusts, tax issues and succession planning. Team head Bruce Clarke works extensively with many wealth management businesses and accountants, and Max Wright, who is based in the Brighton and Hove office, is a full member of STEP. Ian Best, in the Uckfield office, leads the probate team, and Alistair Rustemeyer qualified as a full member of ACTAPS in 2021. The team also has two dedicated later life executives.Practice head(s):
Bruce Clarke
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very trustworthy, knowledgeable and empathetic.’
‘Calm friendly people. Billing clearly declared before any work carried out. Ease of use of technology, business conducted equally well online or face to face. Strong collaboration between overlapping departments. Charming.’
‘Great breadth of knowledge and experience, akin to many London practices without the same level of fees.’
‘Bruce Clarke, whilst delivering technical legal advice, has a very practical approach to the client circumstances to ensure that advice can be easily implemented and the client can move forward.’
‘Ian Best – Stand out partner. Calm, caring, friendly, very professional and thoroughly knowledgeable.’
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s reputation extends across Sussex, Kent, Surrey and into London. Kathryn Paisley has been head of the corporate and commercial team since 2019. With Paisley’s position on the board of Eurojuris International, the team is able to support clients who require specialist cross-border advice. Tim Sadka has continued to extend his experience in employee ownership trusts. Alan Zeal ’s reputation for advising large businesses in the IT/TMT sector continues to grow. Bruce Hayter is praised for his business acumen.Practice head(s):
Kathryn Paisley
Other key lawyers:
Tim Sadka; Alan Zeal; Bruce Hayter; Jamie Tavares
Testimonials
‘In my experience the team is very well versed in all aspects of corporate and commercial services. I have seen the practice operate from both the seller and the buyer perspective and have no hesitation recommending them to other companies or individuals who require effective, efficient and fairly-priced support in the corporate arena.’
‘All staff we encountered were helpful, knowledgeable and readily available; matters were dealt with very efficiently especially given the challenges presented by Covid.’
‘The practitioner allocated to my case was Kathryn Paisley and I found her to be very responsive and timely in all her dealings, and she dealth with me with an open and clear method of communication. Any legal process can be daunting to the non-professional but Kathryn made it a painless experience, which is intended as a great compliment!’
‘Kathryn Paisley: well-trusted by our mutual client, pragmatic and adaptive to the client’s circumstances and commercial priorities.’
Work highlights
- Acted for Stephen King in his sale of Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club Limited.
- Advised the Neilcott group of companies (Neilcott), a £80M+ turnover business, on its sale to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT Transaction).
- Worked with Red Sea Farms Limited in connection with its pre-Series A investment round, part of a funding round that has led to Red Sea Farms being named at number 45 in the Forbes most funded start-ups in 2021.
Employment > Employment: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3
In addition to its core employment law expertise, Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s Uckfield employment team also operates GatekeeperHR, which offers a flexible in-house HR service delivered on site and has continued to grow under Amy White’s guidance. Team head Bruce Hayter has experience as a director and in-house counsel in the agricultural sector. Victoria Reagan is well known for her success in Hazel & Huggins v Manchester College [2014], a Supreme Court case concerning the harmonisation of employment terms following post-TUPE redundancy.Practice head(s):
Bruce Hayter
Other key lawyers:
Amy White; Victoria Regan
Testimonials
‘The team provide in depth knowledge and understanding of my business which means I don’t have to explain the landscape each time we interact. They have comprehensive expertise in each area and therefore keep everything under one roof. The retain talent which means I have trust with the legal team and they have history with me and my team. They are proactive with law changes and best practice.’
‘The team were supportive, responsive, relatable and overall incredibly helpful during a very challenging and daunting business sale.’
‘Each department at Rix & Kay have team of employees who know exactly what is going on with each separate case. The detail we receive per communication explains in a simple detailed way, that makes the process of dealing with employees so much easier.’
‘Excellent communication and thorough service provided.’
‘Victoria Regan is very personable and explains in full the work required and options available.’
‘When we call Victoria Regan up we know instantly she will help us, offer a bespoke service and keep us updated throughout. Victoria is a real asset to your team.’
‘Victoria Regan delivers. She does what she says she will do. When we needed help reviewing contracts of employment her knowledgeable input was hugely valuable. Her participation in the recent Rix & Kay webinar series was particularly noteworthy – she came across as lucid, informed and engaging – great attributes for public speaking!’
‘Amy White understands our aims and goals. Thinks like us and is wonderful to deal with. Prompt responses even outside of hours and seriously knowledgeable.’
Key clients
Buxted, East Hoathly and Manor Oak Medical Centres
Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Services (East Sussex WRAS) and CJ Thorne & Co Limited
Sussex Bed Centre Holdings Limited
Canterbury Rugby Football Club
Blue Strawberry Group Limited
Always Accounting Ltd
Jumpin Derbyshire Ltd
Priors Management Company Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised major regional Charity, Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust in connection with a potential reorganisation, restructure and rebranding exercise.
- Advised fast growth retailer, Sussex Beds on potential employment and TUPE issues regarding the opening of new branches.
- Providing strategic advice to semi-professional National League Rugby Club, Canterbury RFC in connection with a redundancy exercise as well as general employment law advice and ongoing support.
Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP's 'very supportive' Uckfield-based practice is led by consultant Bruce Hayter, who works with charities focused on disability in sport. Other key names include corporate consultant Alan Zeal and employment partner Amy White.Practice head(s):
Bruce Hayter
Testimonials
‘With Rix & Kay you feel confident that all the knowledge and experience in the practice is being deployed on the project. In our case this was charities, commercial and property applied in complex transaction which brought together community and sporting charities.’
‘Alan Zeal acted as focal point for our project, drawing in expertise across the practice where it was required, for example on contracting and property, and ensuring all parts were tied together.’
‘Bruce Hayter has been a fantastic partner to work with. He’s extremely responsive, informative and supportive whenever we’ve called on his knowledge and expertise.’
‘Rix & Kay are very supportive in working with us to look at new opportunities and also in helping us keep up to date with current employment law’
‘Bruce Hayter has been excellent in helping us with new introductions of local businesses.’
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
Ansty Village Centre Steering Committee Trust
Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (East Sussex WRAS)
Work highlights
- Advising a ground-breaking charity, Conservation Without Borders, in connection with their Round Britain Climate Challenge, which aimed to raise awareness of global climate change in the run up to COP26 in Glasgow.
- Advising the Russell Martin Foundation on a new flagship acquisition and development of Southwick Football Club ground.
- Advising The Brighton & Hove Philharmonic Society Limited (BPO) to undertake a full review of its constitution with a view to implementing new corporate structures that will bring greater flexibility and sustainability to its commercial operations.
Real estate > Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 3
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s Sevenoaks commercial property team is led by Richard Cripps , who provides specialist agricultural property advice and is often involved in complex and large-scale land development projects for rural landowners and developers. The ‘professional , courteous, prompt and informative’ David Ashton has extensive experience in property development and investment. Oliver Bussell has expertise in the niche area of planning law.Practice head(s):
Richard Cripps
Other key lawyers:
David Ashton; Oliver Bussell
Testimonials
‘An extremely professional law firm with solid and reliable teams, all of whom are highly experienced in their field.’
‘David Ashton provides an exceptional level of service and you can always rely on receiving sensible, pragmatic and straightforward advice, regardless of the apparent complexities of the situation.’
‘Oliver Bussell and his team work collaboratively to advise and provide sound advice. Communication is clear and concise and the team can always be reached.’
‘David Ashton and his team have helped us with a number of matters in recent years. Every piece of work had it own challenges, and David with his team have seen me through any detail that has arisen. I have full confidence with all of David’s work.’
Key clients
Turkey Mill Investments Limited
Lenham Storage Company Limited
Chartwell Land and New Homes Ltd
Hazelbrook Homes Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Turkey Mill, landlord of a sought after Business Park in Maidstone, on all its negotiated leases with business tenants as well a range of other property related advice including planning and real estate disputes.
- Advised Lenham Storage, a specialist warehousing and logistics business, on more than a dozen transactions relating to its industrial portfolio including the purchase of an additional 4 warehouses within an estate in Sittingbourne, Kent
- Advised Chartwell Land and New Homes Ltd on a range of matters relating to their large scale development projects including securing Option Agreements on land for development and secured development funding facilities.
Real estate > Construction Tier 3
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP‘s construction team draws on the expertise of the firm’s dispute resolution, employment, and commercial departments. Experienced dispute resolution lawyer Dan Sherlock heads the team from the firm’s Sevenoaks office, where he specialises in construction law disputes and Construction Act claims, alongside a developing focus on non-contentious contract matters. Richard Ludlow specialises in insolvency, while Amy White handles employment-related matters.Practice head(s):
Dan Sherlock
Other key lawyers:
Richard Ludlow; Amy Prime
Testimonials
‘Dan Sherlock provides a modern, mature and sensible approach to resolving matters.’
Key clients
Neilcott group of companies
Energys Group Limited
C J Thorne & Company Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised the Neilcott group of companies (Neilcott), a £80M+ turnover business, on its sale to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT Transaction).
- Advising Energys Group on a dispute the client has with a major NHS Trust over a refurbishment/construction contract relating to the fitting out of trust facilities during the pandemic.
- Advising CJ Thorne & Co Limited, a major regional construction business, on all areas of employment law.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 3
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP has particular expertise in employment law as it pertains to sport and, alongside clubs, also advise charities connected to football and rugby, as well as organizations and individuals undertaking expeditions into extreme territories. Practice head Bruce Hayter advises grass-roots sports teams on strategic development. In his personal capacity advisory board member of Canterbury RFC, Richard Cripps counsels sports organizations on general corporate and commercial property matters. Amy White provides ongoing guidance on employment issues in the sector to multiple charities.Practice head(s):
Bruce Hayter
Testimonials
‘Diligent, understanding, happy to listen, thoughtful.’
‘Richard Cripps and Amy White stand out.’
‘Rix & Kay have for a number of years played a key role in helping to promote community sport. The organisation has also given great support to our charity.’
‘Bruce Haytor has worked extremely well with us in helping us to develop our organization in community sport’
Key clients
Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club Limited
Conservation Without Borders
Canterbury Rugby Football Club
The Russell Martin Foundation
Ansty Village Centre Steering Committee Trust
St Peters Cricket Club
Tom Hicks
Seaford Rugby Football Club
Active Sussex
Crawley Town Community Foundation
Balls for Brains
Work highlights
- Advised Charlton Athletic Women’s Football Club Limited on its sale to Thomas Sandgaard, owner of Charlton Athletic FC.
- Advising Conservation Without Borders with regards to their project Round Britain Climate Challenge in the run up to COP26 in Glasgow.
- Advising 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
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP‘s Sevenoaks dispute resolution team, led by Richard Ludlow, is trusted by many large SME businesses and some of the region’s leading professional services firms. Ludlow has been working to bring alternative and innovative funding solutions, such as litigation funding and conditional fee arrangements, to clients with high value claims. Dan Sherlock has a particular focus on helping businesses to protect reputation and sensitive or confidential data/information. Alistair Rustemeyer specialises in contentious trusts and probate matters.Practice head(s):
Richard Ludlow
Other key lawyers:
Daniel Sherlock; Alistair Rustemeyer
Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4
The key name at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP in Brighton is Alistair Rustemeyer, who recently stepped up to take leadership of the high-net-worth private wealth disputes practice. He has decades of experience and is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists, as well as a certified Contentious Trusts and Probate specialist.Practice head(s):
Alistair Rustemeyer
Testimonials
‘A very good regional firm which is very capable in private client litigation.’
‘This is an extremely united and mutually supportive team of solicitors. This feature gives them a significant advantage in servicing all aspects of their clients’ needs.’
‘Alistair Rustemeyer has expertise in succession disputes.’
Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 4
Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP’s Uckfield family team has a high level of expertise in matters concerning high net worth individuals and complex assets, in particular company assets and inheritances. Team head Janet Raeburn is well-regarded for ‘her compassion and for achieving fair outcomes.’Practice head(s):
Janet Raeburn
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is vast, well connected and I feel in safe hands. There never seems to be any reason to look outside of the firm and therefore answers are always near to hand.’
‘The practice has been very helpful and capable, in advice to me and putting my mind at ease with any queries I might have. The staff at the Uckfield office have been extremely thorough with all communication and billing. You feel confident once you have spoken with any member of staff, that you are important and your query will be dealt with asap.’
‘Janet Raeburn’s knowledge and assertiveness is very reassuring but what sets her apart from others I’ve dealt with is her compassion for the situation and for achieving a fair outcome for the long term. Its easy to get carried away with “winning” but Janet has never exhibited this and I feel is a great strength with family cases.’
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Richard Cripps | Richard is Managing Partner of Rix & Kay and a specialist commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Ludlow | Richard is Partner and a specialist insolvency, debt recovery and commercial litigation… | View Profile |
- Private client > Agriculture and estates
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex