Department profile

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

UK Guide 2026 : East Anglia

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Birketts LLP

Our award-winning team of agricultural specialists is one of the best qualified and largest agricultural teams in the UK market, providing a comprehensive range of legal services to farmers, landowners and agri-business specialists.

In a sector which comprises some of the most eccentric provisions of English law, we appreciate that commerciality is your focus. Once a deal is agreed, the legal input is often deemed an inconvenience or a hold up. We pride ourselves on our quick response and proactivity, highlighting problem areas at the start so they may be dealt with early and pragmatically. We respond practically to work to your timescales and ensure that the focus remains on the key issues at hand.

The team’s breadth of experience enables us to understand your business better and the challenges and opportunities you face day to day.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Agriculture & Rural Affairs - East Anglia

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Birketts has a highly acclaimed specialist agricultural team that serves clients in East Anglia and further afield on agricultural and rural property law, finance and succession issues, public access matters, strategic land development and renewable energy schemes. The practice acts for private individuals, agribusinesses, utility companies, charities, banks and public sector bodies on specialist agricultural and rural matters.

View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Birketts has strength in depth in its team, expertise in the area and the ability to explain complex legal issues, making them easy to understand for clients.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
There is the depth of knowledge within the team and resources available within the wider Birketts business to deal with any property matter confidently and effectively.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Birketts are responsive, knowledgeable, practical and apply common sense to the advice they give.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Birketts has a large team which combined, has all with the required expertise to cover any aspect of a client's requirement.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
There is talent across the Norwich, Ipswich and Cambridge teams.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Band 1
Band 1
Jack Royall
Jack Royall is an experienced practitioner who advises on agricultural transactions, succession planning and partnership agreements for agribusinesses, farmers and landowners.
Jack is excellent in his areas of expertise and well liked by clients.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Jack has a deep understanding of the law and excellent technical knowledge.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Jack has a brilliantly practical approach to client needs.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 2
Band 2
Annabelle Rout
Annabelle Rout handles farm land sales and acquisitions, tenancy matters, bank refinancing and succession planning for landowners and farmers.
Annabelle is very pragmatic in her approach. She just gets it done, but digs in when needed to protect her client.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 2
Band 2
Chris Coupland
Chris Coupland handles agricultural property matters, including financing work, agribusiness management and succession planning.
Chris is highly approachable and technically brilliant.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Chris is a well-known and trusted adviser to many private clients.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 2
Band 2
James Dinwiddy
James Dinwiddy handles agricultural property sales and acquisitions, bank financing work and succession planning matters.
James Dinwiddy is an expert in his area. He takes great pride in providing the right advice.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 2
Band 2
Tom Verrill
Tom Verrill deals with the full range of agricultural property matters, such as succession planning and partnership structures for landowners.
Tom Verrill is excellent at what he does. He is clear, communicative, detailed and practical in his advice, and he understands client needs.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
Tom is quite up and coming in the space. He has a very pragmatic approach and is well liked by clients.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 3
Band 3
Rachel Mc Killop-Wilkin
Rachel Mc Killop-Wilkin is an agricultural specialist who handles agricultural property transactions, together with family business succession planning and landlord and tenant issues.
Rachel is thorough and detailed, ensuring client interests are protected.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile
Band 3
Band 3
Sophia Key
Sophia Key deals with high-value agricultural property transactions, together with landlord and tenant matters, for farmers and landowners.
View profile
Associates to watch
Associates to watch
Sarah Ellero
Sarah Ellero is based in Norwich and has broad experience of dealing with rural property matters such as sales, purchases and secured lending. She has further expertise in option agreements and other aspects of land transactions.
Sarah Ellero is a very effective solicitor.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs respondentUK
View profile