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England - London • Private client
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Agriculture and estates

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Michelmores LLP

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Michelmores LLP is well-equipped to receive both contentious and non-contentious instructions from a diverse client roster. The team also has the ability to support the agricultural sector, where natural capital and biodiversity net gain work has come to the fore. Team head Ben Sharples comfortably handles disputes regarding the use and ownership of rural land, and leading alongside him, Bristol-based Vivienne Williams specialises in contentious agricultural mandates, while Adam Corbin is a barrister working on a multitude of matters relating to the agricultural and rural sector. Christian Massey and Tom Hyde handle high-value property transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very good strength and breadth, including key individuals with particular specialisations.’

  • ‘Adam Corbin is excellent with clients and good at unlocking deals. Vivienne Williams is an experienced and effective litigator. Ben Sharples is a good all-round litigator now specialising in natural capital. Charlotte Razay is effective and efficient with considerable disputes and litigation experience. Tom Hyde is very good at all property transactions.'

  • ‘Christian Massey and Stevie Wilson are both excellent operators in the country house, farm and estate market. Thoroughly professional with a personable touch, they make themselves available to ensure purchases on a tight deadline can happen.’

  • ‘One of the leading firms in this practice area, with a number of very experienced solicitors who know a great deal about agricultural disputes.’

  • ‘Ben Sharples is an outstandingly good solicitor, with an excellent grasp of the law and the technical aspects of agriculture and property, and an outstanding tactician. The best there is.’

  • ‘One of the leading agricultural teams in the country. Strength in depth, very good industry knowledge and connections and a great profile in the sector. The partners and fee earners are generally exceptional, and the team can successfully handle complicated and high-value litigation.’

Key clients

  • Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
  • Wildfowl and Wetland Trust
  • Pontypool Park Estates
  • WWF
  • Revere
  • Stretton Estate
  • Bradford Estates
  • Forestry Commission
  • Freshways-Medina Group
  • Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
  • Duchy of Cornwall
  • North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster

Work highlights

Advising the River Axe Landscape Recovery Project on the Development of a 20+ year scheme underpinned by DEFRA's Landscape Recovery funding.
Advising the largest farmer cluster group in England, the North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster Evenlode Landscape Recovery, on the Evenlode Landscape Recovery scheme.

Practice head

Adam Corbin; Ben Sharples; Vivienne Williams

Other key lawyers

Charlotte Razay; Stevie Wilson; Christian Massey; Tom Hyde