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Farms and estates lawyers
Whether you are a tenth-generation landowner or a buyer finally realizing your dream of owning a country home, your property will be unique and will have certain requirements depending on how you wish to use it.
We act for over 130 landed estates across England and Wales, and we understand what makes these properties special to you. Ranging from historic landowners to successful individuals from around the world, we understand the breadth and depth of admin that modern landed estates need.
Succession through the generations
The modern landed estate has a myriad of challenges when it comes to trusts and succession, where claims can sometimes have a devastating effect on the estate and family. No matter the size of the estate, the challenges presented are often the same. Our expertise lies in the ability to apply our experience and know how to manage diverse family situations, identifying issues at an early stage with the objective of creating outcomes that work for everyone.
A number of our clients are resident or domiciled abroad or have married spouses from overseas, and we are able to advise you on trusts and cross-border planning to ensure everything is in place for future generations.
All the advice you require
When undergoing a rural property transaction, the reassurance of being able to call on advisors with experience in all aspects of rural property transactions is vital for our clients, and imperative for a transaction to take place quickly.Whether you require solutions on VAT, commercial operations, health and safety or stamp duty land tax, we have the expertise to meet all requirements of a landed estate in the 21st century.
How we can help
We represent many of the world’s top art collectors, museums and institutions. Our long history enables us to offer advice on everything from structuring transactions to challenging fraud.
Beneficiaries and heirsWhatever you have inherited, and wherever it is in the world, our leading team of lawyers can help you to protect the value of the asset, manage the tax implications and resolving any disputes.
Divorce and familyAt difficult moments in life, you need the best advice available. As one of the largest and most experienced teams of family and divorce lawyers in the world, we’re here to help you through.
Whether you wish to protect family assets, navigate cross-border tax issues or benefit a good cause, our private client lawyers will discuss your priorities, advise on options and put a plan in place.
Family businessesFrom small companies to global brands, we understand the dynamics of family businesses and what makes them special. We offer a rounded view on everything from tax to succession planning.
Inheritance, estate and gift taxesWhether your assets are based solely in your home country or spread around the world, we can help with inheritance tax planning so that the authorities do not take more than their fair share.
The publication of private or inaccurate information can seriously damage reputations. Should the worst happen, our media law team will quickly advise on how to mitigate any potential impact.
Rural real estateWith unmatched experience in the rural property market, we are able to advise on the buying and selling of every kind of country home, estate and business – handling any nuances with aplomb.
Trustees, executors and fiduciariesEven the most experienced advisors will need legal support on complex matters such as cross-border tax queries or third-party claims. We can help you meet your obligations with confidence.
Track record
Conservation easement
On behalf of farmer owners, negotiated a complex Conservation Easement preserving agricultural and tourist-serving uses while selling future development rights to a land trust.
Retail center / winery
Completed pre-development funding and entitlement of a “Wine Village” on one of California’s busiest traffic corridors. The Wine Village will lease to 17 wine shops and two restaurants. Combination of base rent and percentage rent from case sales will assure high long term profitability of this project.
1,100 acre estate
Purchase of a significant Grade II listed Country House, land, stables, cottages and equestrian facilities. The property had a spring water business (including source) attached to it, and the purchase required the preparation of an asset purchase agreement running alongside the property contract to acquire the assets and intellectual property rights of the bottling plant and water brand.
British rural estate
Providing advice to the trustees and family members who own and run the estate on all tax and structuring matters, including succession planning. Recently, we advised on the structuring for the sale of land for development both from a tax and planning perspective. We also created a new LLP to own and run the estate, to help achieve the family's aims in involving family members in decision-making and succession planning.
Purchase of 760 acre estate
We acted on the purchase of a 760 acre estate, which consisted of a private water supply, offlying sporting rights, numerous cottages, overage provisions, the reservation and grant of covenants to the previous owner, rights of pre-emption, tenancies and employees. There was also the issue of the transfer and separation of agri-environment schemes and the basic payment scheme.
Rare purchase of a grouse moor
We assisted our client in the rare purchase of a grouse moor with over 5,000 acres of freehold land and sporting rights, including moorland, tenanted land, cottages and common rights. We took our client through the complexities of owning a grouse moor and the practical management issues a new entrant to ownership faces, including the advice on graziers rights over the estate.
British rural estate
Providing advice to the trustees and family members who own and run the estate on all tax and structuring matters, including succession planning. Recently, we advised on the structuring for the sale of land for development both from a tax and planning perspective. We also created a new LLP to own and run the estate, to help achieve the family's aims in involving family members in decision-making and succession planning.
Conservation easement
On behalf of farmer owners, negotiated a complex Conservation Easement preserving agricultural and tourist-serving uses while selling future development rights to a land trust.
Retail center / winery
Completed pre-development funding and entitlement of a “Wine Village” on one of California’s busiest traffic corridors. The Wine Village will lease to 17 wine shops and two restaurants. Combination of base rent and percentage rent from case sales will assure high long term profitability of this project.
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Our team
Bertie Hoskyns-Abrahall
Partner | London
Matthew Woods
Partner | London
Edward Jarron
Partner | London
David M Holland
Partner | London
Christopher Groves
Partner | London
Claire Harris
Partner | London
Michael Gouriet
Partner | London
Patricia Milner
Partner | London
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Typical clients and industries include
Families and family offices
Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out More
Family businesses
From small companies to global brands, we understand the dynamics of family businesses and what makes them special. We offer a rounded view on everything from tax to succession planning. Find Out More
High net worth individuals
With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out MoreGet in touch
Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.