Rupert Mead > Forsters LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Forsters LLP
22 Baker Street
LONDON
W1U 3BW
England
Rupert Mead photo

Work Department

Private client.

Position

Partner

Career

Rupert advises on a wide variety of private client matters including the drafting and administration of trusts, drawing up wills and powers of attorney, probate, charity law and family governance.

He specialises in advising the owners of landed estates, farms and other family businesses on capital tax planning and succession issues, and acts as trustee of a number of significant estates in England and Wales.

Rupert has particular expertise in putting in place structures to maximise agricultural and business property relief, as well as the conditional exemption of heritage property, including works of art, buildings and land. He also provides strategic advice to individuals, families and their trustees, whose interests often cover a broad range of activities and business enterprises including in-hand farming; agricultural, residential and commercial lettings; holiday lets; land development; forestry; the exploitation of sporting and mineral rights and renewable energy sources; and the commercial use of historic houses.

Rupert is ranked in Chambers UK Guide 2023 and is recognised as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Legal 500 2023 edition for his work on agriculture and rural affairs.

Rupert trained at Stephenson Harwood and moved to Forsters on qualification in 2003. He became a Partner in 2011.

Memberships

Law Society; STEP; Country Land & Business Association (CLA); Agricultural Law Association (ALA).

Education

The King’s School, Canterbury; University of St Andrews (1999 MA).

Leisure

History, fishing, shooting and conservation.

Lawyer Rankings

London > Private client > Agriculture and estates

(Leading partners)

Rupert MeadForsters LLP

The ‘outstanding, responsive and articulate’ team at Forsters LLP is lauded for its ‘top-end client care’ and ‘clear and proportionate advice’. Led by Henry Cecil, it is renowned for its ability to advise on the sale and purchase of farms and estates for domestic and international high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. It also excels in providing land management, tax, and estate structuring advice to these clients, and has considerable expertise in the renewable and environmental sustainability space. Penny Elliott regularly works with overseas investors, institutional property owners, landed estates and high-net-worth individuals. Andrew Lane has a particular focus on capital taxation and succession matters for the owners of landed estates. Christopher Findley has increasingly been advising on planning and development projects for farmers and landowners, while Rupert Mead has a keen interest in the preservation of heritage property and advising on its exemption from tax. Charles Hancock is another name to note.

London > Private client > Art and cultural property

Forsters LLP is lauded for its ‘excellent legal advice, plus its understanding and experience of the art world’. Led by Catherine Hill, the group has a wealth of experience in acting for collectors, artists, galleries, auction houses, and the owners of historic houses. It is well-regarded for its work on UK and international estate planning matters, and for its advice on the commercial aspects of managing an artist’s estate. Rupert Mead has a particular focus on the taxation of heritage property, and Guy Abrahams frequently advises on the acquisition and disposal of art to make it more tax-efficient.