Agriculture & Rural Affairs
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 3
About
Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP
Payne Hicks Beach is one of the few London firms that remains fully committed to an agricultural practice alongside landed estates.
Our expertise in agricultural work means that we are able to provide a seamless and wide ranging service to landowners. This often includes advice on key factors such as tax, finance, investment, succession and the structuring of property ownership.
The scope of work which we commonly undertake and for landowners includes:
- planning the ownership and management of landed estates and farm
- sales and acquisitions of landed estates and farmland across the country
- first registration of large tracts of land
- trespass and the protection of mineral rights
- diversification and development schemes, ie in relation to alternative energy schemes
- taxation advice on farming businesses and guiding clients through the difficult process of generational change and succession planning for landed estates inc. major trust and farming business reorganisations
- development and planning issues
- tax matters such as maximising agricultural/business property relief and entrepreneurs' relief
- advice for agricultural businesses including farming partnerships, companies and joint ventures
- land and employment disputes
- liaising with accountants, land agents and other professional advisers.
We offer clients a dedicated, extensive and full service supported by partners, solicitors and trust administrators working on both private client and property matters.
Chambers Review
Payne Hicks Beach is a long-standing firm with a strong traditional domestic client base. It acts for the owners of agricultural estates across the UK. The department's expertise includes land acquisitions and disposals and diversification, as well as alternative energy schemes, mineral rights and telecoms leasing.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"It offers a very personable yet highly professional and knowledgeable service."
"Payne Hicks Beach has an extremely knowledgeable team who have a professional and prompt approach."
"PHB offers highly intelligent advice combined with experience in its field of expertise which amounts to good judgement in delicate or complicated affairs."
"The team was able to explain complex issues and points of law clearly and give clear recommendations on how to proceed."
"It offers a very personable yet highly professional and knowledgeable service."
"Payne Hicks Beach has an extremely knowledgeable team who have a professional and prompt approach."
"PHB offers highly intelligent advice combined with experience in its field of expertise which amounts to good judgement in delicate or complicated affairs."
"The team was able to explain complex issues and points of law clearly and give clear recommendations on how to proceed."
Notable Practitioners
Simon Blackburn has extensive experience of handling the acquisition, management and sale of farms and estates, as well as matters involving rural rights of way, manorial rights and development matters.
"Simon has very in-depth knowledge of his field of expertise and he is very personable. He has a sharp, analytical mind."
"Simon is very knowledgeable, has a good eye for detail and is very good at managing the client's expectations."
"Simon is an extraordinarily competent and insightful lawyer who is able to break down the technical legal issues, understand our concerns and provide meaningful and practical advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Payne Hicks Beach LLP
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Payne Hicks Beach LLP
Basil Dixon
Clarissa Ferguson
Emily Woods
Emma Copestake
James Bacon
Marisa Beccarelli
Mark Jones
Matthew Spring
Max Baird-Smith
Michael Parkinson
Robert Brodrick
Rosamond McDowell
Rupert Burchett
Head of Department
Victoria Robinson