About

Provided by Michelmores LLP

Leading agricultural law – through a sustainable lens

With specialist sector insight to the intersection of technology and sustainability, we understand the impact that agriculture and rural businesses have on communities and ecosystems. Consequently, landowners, institutions, farmers, entrepreneurs, agri-businesses and investors trust our expertise and commercial foresight to respond to emerging opportunities and potential challenges.

We invest time in maintaining our position at the forefront of changes and developments in this sector, and put that knowledge and experience at the disposal of our clients as we help with their projects. Those projects include commercial and property disputes, natural capital, agri-tech, planning and the environment, sales and purchases, contract farming, succession planning, taxation, wills and trusts, and tenancy agreements.

Global impact with a down-to-earth approach

Our lawyers are at the forefront of ground-breaking sector initiatives – our team’s unrivalled knowledge, experience and commitment to achieving the best result for our clients is what differentiates us.

Our practice is based upon the foundation of formidable agricultural and rural disputes expertise. Our team has extensive sector knowledge, and unparalleled experience of assisting clients with disputes, which also makes the team well placed to help properly document new ventures, and advise upon the legal aspects of agricultural and rural business.


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Agriculture & Rural Affairs - South West
1
Band 1
What the Team is Known For

Michelmores has a well-regarded agricultural team in Bristol and Exeter. It is notable for its strength in depth on contentious and transactional agriculture work. The team has strong client relationships with private landowners, local authorities and landed estates. It also provides corporate expertise for large farming companies.

Work Highlights

Provided by Michelmores LLP
  • Michelmores advised the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Foundation concerning structuring agreements related to the Landscape Recovery scheme.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Ben Sharples
1
Ben Sharples
1
Band 1

Ben Sharples has extensive expertise in agricultural and rural property litigation and commercial disputes.

"Ben has been a brilliant source of knowledge, advice and guidance. He is always willing to help and always provides good insights alongside invaluable advice. It has been great working with him."

"Ben provides great advice at the required level to suit particular cases depending on complexity."

"Ben is a recognised specialist in his field."

Vivienne Williams
1
Vivienne Williams
Head of Agriculture & Rural Affairs
1
Band 1

Vivienne Williams focuses her practice on agricultural property disputes, regularly dealing with landlord and tenant issues and possession claims.

"Vivienne is a first-class adviser who provides excellent advice and is able to crystallise the most complex matters into an easily understandable analysis."

"Vivienne is a real expert in agricultural law."

"Vivienne is a recognised specialist in her field; she's good with clients and calm under pressure."

Adam Corbin
2
Adam Corbin
2
Band 2

Adam Corbin is a qualified barrister who regularly advises clients on disputes involving rural businesses, particularly for large estates. He is well regarded by rural disputes barristers and other solicitors in the market.

"Adam provides a quality service with excellent insight."

"Adam is technically excellent, very commercial, and knows my business well. He's happy giving commercial advice from the get-go and is a good all-rounder."

"Adam is very client-friendly."

Christian Massey
2
Christian Massey
2
Band 2

Christian Massey has extensive experience handling landed estate and rural property matters. He is the firm's head of private wealth and handles very high-value transactions.

Tom Hyde
2
Tom Hyde
2
Band 2

Tom Hyde is a qualified rural chartered surveyor and focuses on agricultural property transactions and other rural land matters.

"Tom is a very able property lawyer who has the trust of his clients and is able to advise on complex matters to good effect."

"Tom is very experienced and knowledgeable in his sector."

Josie Edwards
U
Josie Edwards
U
Up and Coming

Josie Edwards specialises in rural property matters, farming partnerships and agricultural succession planning.

"Josie is quick and her attention to detail is very helpful, which results in positive outcomes for the client. She is helpful and approachable."

"Josie provided exceptional analysis and an in-depth review of the legal landscape. She responded to our wider project needs and delivered within the timeframe."

"Josie is great to work with and provides good solutions with excellent knowledge."

Rachel O'Connor
U
Rachel O'Connor
U
Up and Coming

Rachel O'Connor leads disputes related to high-value tenancy and trusts issues for large estates.

"Rachel has been a very strong and professional operator for our clients. Value and top-quality service are what Rachel is all about. She is polite, firm but fair, and has a wealth of experience."

Ranked Lawyers at
Michelmores LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

South West

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Ben Sharples
1
Ben Sharples
1
Band 1
Vivienne Williams
1
Vivienne Williams
Head of Agriculture & Rural Affairs
1
Band 1
Adam Corbin
2
Adam Corbin
2
Band 2
Christian Massey
2
Christian Massey
2
Band 2
Tom Hyde
2
Tom Hyde
2
Band 2
Josie Edwards
U
Josie Edwards
U
Up and Coming
Rachel O'Connor
U
Rachel O'Connor
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Michelmores LLP

Adam Corbin

Andrew Baines

Caroline Baines

Charlotte Razay

Erica Williams

Hannah Drew

Helen Bray

Jake Rostron

Josie Edwards

Katharine Everett Nunns

Katie Howell

Rachel O'Connor

Rajvinder Kaur

Sarah Hansford

Sarah Rhodes

Seema Nanua

Vivienne Williams

Vivienne Williams

Head of Department

Industries

Provided by Michelmores LLP

Banks

Charities / Not for Profit

Construction & Materials

Energy

Food & Drink Producers

Forestry

Mining & Metals

Real Estate