The agribusiness practice at Burnetts is led from Carlisle by Joanne McKenzie, working in tandem with chairperson and property head Richard Miller. Key areas of work for the team, which regularly handles multimillion-pound matters, include banking & finance, farm sales and other agricultural property transactions, enewables and related private client services such as tax planning and family matters. Other key team members include legal director Diane Barnes, who has a specialism in mining and minerals, and senior associate Megan Richardson.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's Newcastle-based agriculture practice is headed by landed estates expert Simon Kirkup who continues to act as a trustee for landowning families and advising investors on acquisitions. The team boasts an extensive client portfolio, acting for the North’s most significant landowners as well as for several public authorities and quasi-public bodies. Andrew Farquharson handles rural property aspects and regularly acts in the sale and purchase of large estates, farms and sporting estates, with notable expertise in acting for landowners in the grant of options and leases to renewable energy operators. Managing associate Ellen Rutherford focuses on Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and disputes.

Most notably known for its expertise in tenancy matters, particularly under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, the Carlisle-based team at Cartmell Shepherd also acts in complex and contentious agricultural matters, including high-value purchases. Drawing upon the expertise of the firm’s private client, employment and commercial teams, the group is adept to provide comprehensive advice to its diverse client base. While practice head Jonathan Carroll handles contentious and non-contentious agriculture and rural property matters, Mark Jackson focuses on the sales and acquisitions of estates, farms, and forestry. Sale and acquisition expert Katherine Pretswell-Walker also acts in the ownership of mines and minerals.

Hay & Kilner‘s Newcastle-based team provides advice to farming and rural businesses on agricultural matters and is led by Alison Hall who has particular expertise in landed estates, such as advising on succession to farms and drafting farming partnership agreements and is most notably known for her advice on eligibility for relief from inheritance tax. Richard Marshall handles estates and succession planning matters. Sophie Fletcher joined from Watson Woodhouse in August 2022 and works closely with sales and purchasing expert Joanne Milne on implementing succession planning strategies for farming families.

Since January 2023, Gillian Ibbotson heads up the Darlington-based team at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, which offers comprehensive advice across the sector including inter alia sales and purchases, charging and letting of farms, estate management, agricultural tenancies, renewable energy and storage schemes, sporting and fishing rights. The strong team includes two ALA fellows, Ibbotson and Adam Wood who focuses on rural property transactions as well as Daniel Williams and associate Rachel Fletcher who deals with conditional contracts and is experienced in renewables. Elizabeth Armstrong contributes her expertise in succession and growth planning.

Agricultural specialist and ALA fellow Tom Wills heads up the Newcastle-based team at Sintons LLP, advising a diverse client base in estate work, agricultural tenancies, the sale and purchase of woodland, farm holdings, land and water rights. Paul Liddle is a key practitioner in the energy, waste and renewables sectors. Contentious probate and trusts specialist Emma Saunders advises rural clients and farming families and acts in Court of Protection disputes. Rising star Sam Watts has developed a specialism in rights of way and easement issues as well as in private water supply and sewage arrangements.

Gibson & Co Solicitors Ltd’s Hexham-based agriculture team attracts a broad client base ranging from high net worth farms, estates, agricultural businesses and individuals to smaller tenant farmers. Led by Harry Chrisp, the team provides specialised agricultural and commercial property advice and undertakes contentious work for private wealth clients. Chartered Legal Executive Suzanne Forster specialises in residential conveyancing transactions, acting for individuals, companies and lenders.

Rural property expert David Towns heads up the growing and dynamic team at Muckle LLP with particular focus on landed estate management, sporting rights and minerals rights. The team stands out for adopting ‘a hands on/’muddy boots’ approach’ and is praised for being ‘approachable and immensely capable – quickly reactive.’ Thanks to the group’s commercial offering, they are able to provide holistic advice to their diverse client base drawing on employment, real estate and financial expertise. Charlotte Patterson-Ryan and new additions Rachel Stephenson and Tim Boardman, who joined from Burnetts in summer 2022 add significant strength to the group who is adept in handling complex high-value matters.

The Newcastle-based agriculture team at Ward Hadaway LLP understands the needs of private landowners, farmers, rural businesses, and banks operating in the sector. Thanks to rural property experts Stefan Bainbridge and Alex Cox who jointly head the team, the group has particular expertise in the sale and purchase of rural land, farms, estates, woodlands and country houses. Other key practice areas include estate management, planning and development, environmental issues, waste and energy schemes.