Private client
Forsters LLP‘s wide-ranging practice encompasses strategic and transactional work on high-value rural and agricultural property, and the lawyers exhibit proficiency in green energy and natural recovery projects. Henry Cecil oversees the department and chiefly focuses on the sale and purchase of high-value estates, farms, and country houses, while Andrew Lane lends his capital tax and succession expertise to individuals, families, and trusts. Other key practitioners include seasoned advisor Rupert Mead, who adds additional capital tax and succession advice capabilities to the team, and Polly Montoneri, a go-to for landowners on development work, including option and promotion agreements. The group benefits from the support of Charles Hancock on the effective transfer of family businesses to successive generations.
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Profile
Work Department
Private client.
Position
Partner
Career
Rupert is ranked in the latest editions of Chambers UK and The Legal 500. Clients recognise him as ‘extremely knowledgeable whilst also offering pragmatic solutions.’
Rupert is renowned for advising the owners of landed estates, farms and other family businesses on succession planning and family governance and acts as trustee of a number of significant estates in England and Wales. He is an established lawyer in the drafting and administration of trusts, capital tax planning, drawing up wills and powers of attorney, probate and charity law.
He specialises in developing structures that maximise agricultural and business property relief, as well as conditional exemption of heritage property, including works of art, buildings and land.
Rupert provides strategic advice to individuals, families and trustees involved in running a modern estate, which often involves a diverse 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. He will draw on the expertise of specialists from across the firm, including Corporate, Employment and Dispute Resolution to provide his clients with holistic advice that helps to deliver their personal and commercial objectives.
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).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Extremely collaborative across the board; a joy to work with. Quick and to the point in responding to correspondence. Confident and erudite in handling the most complex matters.’
‘Friendliness and collaboration.’
‘Great client service. Always contactable. Pragmatic and knowledgeable.’
‘An extensive team bringing an admirable blend of scale, experience, energy and specialism.’
‘Technically strong but also extremely pragmatic and personable.’
‘They are approachable, professional and deliver excellent service to the agriculture and estates field.'
'Forsters are always a firm at the top of my list to refer to if I have a client requiring their services.’
‘Throughout my dealings with Forsters, everyone I have met has impressed me, not only from a personality point of view, but also their content in the legal space. I would say they are the most impressive law firm I work with.’