Simon Blackburn > Payne Hicks Beach LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Payne Hicks Beach LLP
10 NEW SQUARE
LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3QG
England

Work Department

Private Client - Landed Estates & Agriculture

Position

Simon is Head of the Landed Estates and Agriculture Team.  He advises UK and overseas buyers on all aspects of transacting and managing farms, estates and country houses and has been practising in the sector since qualification in 2009.

Simon regularly advises on the sale of land for development, in addition to helping clients to deal with manorial rights and rural rights of way, (public and private); he also has a strong background in dealing with issues arising under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and unregistered land.

One of Simon’s specialisms is acting as an independent conveyancing solicitor in matrimonial proceedings for both residential and rural property where the parties cannot agree to instruct either of the firms representing the parties.

Qualified 2009, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2018, partner 2018.

Memberships

Agricultural Law Association and Country Land and Business Association

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Agriculture and estates

(Leading individuals)

Simon BlackburnPayne Hicks Beach LLP

Payne Hicks Beach LLP has a ‘great combination of high-end private client expertise and a central London location, making the agricultural practice first class‘. The nimble team works with the owners of over 50 farms, estates and country houses varying in size from 150 acres to well over 30,000 acres. Some of these estates are worth over £300m, and many of which have houses and grounds that are open to the public. Practice head Simon Blackburn advises UK and overseas clients on all aspects of managing farms, estates and country houses. Robert Brodrick acts for trustees and owners of landed estates on various tax and estate planning matters, and Rosamond McDowell advises a substantial number of landed estate owners, estate managers and trustees on a broad range of planning, trust and probate matters.

London > Corporate and commercial > Partnership

Offering advice across a range of areas including tax, financial services, dispute resolution and employment, the partnership lawyers at Payne Hicks Beach LLP assist in the structuring, administration, and dissolution of partnerships. Head of team Jonathan Gatward is well versed in assisting with the entire life cycle of partnerships, whether this involves general, limited liability or limited partnerships. James Bacon specialises in tax, trust and succession law, offering significant experience in farming partnerships, while Simon Blackburn advises on all aspects of the management and transactions relating to farms, estates and country houses. Clients include traditional farming partnerships, high-net-worth individuals seeking property joint ventures, and professional practices.

London > Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers

Payne Hicks Beach LLP often supports Middle and Far Eastern, Scandinavian and US investors, in addition to blue chip, hotel, leisure and restaurant occupiers. The team also has extensive knowledge of new development and town planning, landlord and tenant issues, as well as property management. Emma Copestake is often engaged in bank, developer and investor property purchases, while Andrew Berry is sought out by a range of high-net worth clients in the residential and leisure sectors. Simon Blackburn helms the sale of land for development, while Marisa Beccarelli and Alex Blain are noted for their knowledge of real estate financing. Andrea Yiakoumetti recently oversaw the acquisition of two Central London restaurants for a foreign conglomerate.

London > Real estate > Commercial property: development

Payne Hicks Beach LLP often supports Middle and Far Eastern, Scandinavian and US investors, in addition to blue chip, hotel, leisure and restaurant occupiers. The team also has extensive knowledge of new development and town planning, landlord and tenant issues, as well as property management. Emma Copestake is often engaged in bank, developer and investor property purchases, while Andrew Berry is sought out by a range of high-net worth clients in the residential and leisure sectors. Simon Blackburn helms the sale of land for development, while Marisa Beccarelli and Alex Blain are noted for their knowledge of real estate financing. Andrea Yiakoumetti recently oversaw the acquisition of two Central London restaurants for a foreign conglomerate.