Edmund advises several major estates on the full variety of legal issues including residential, agricultural and business tenancies, rights of way, sporting rights, agri-environmental schemes, riparian issues and planning and environmental matters. He is well connected in the residential and rural property markets and regularly works with a number of buying agents acquiring countryside and London properties for clients where transactions often need to be executed to brisk timetables. Often these acquisitions will involve offshore ownership structures and complex financing issues. Edmund has been dealing in high value residential property work for more than 20 years and has substantial experience in all matters whether freehold or leasehold, listed or new build/off-plan. As part of his residential practice he regularly deals with lease extensions and enfranchisement matters for both landlord and tenant. Edmund also assists his clients with their significant refurbishment projects dealing with the associated planning and construction issues. He looks after a number of clients who have diverse commercial property interests on the granting and surrendering of leases, service charge issues and dilapidations.
England - London • Private client
Farrer & Co
Led by Simon Pring, the outstanding team at Farrer & Co has considerable expertise in this area and is praised for its ‘robust and clear advice’. It is acknowledged as one of the leading firms in the market for its work with an array of land-owning institutions, large estates, rural businesses and individual wealthy landowners. Edmund Fetherston-Dilke is sought after for his advice on diverse matters such as rights of way, sporting rights and riparian issues. Paul Krafft advises private, charity and institutional clients on all aspects of agricultural and rural ownership, while James Maxwell specialises in the sale and purchase of rural estates and agricultural land; he is a leading name in the area of mineral rights. Senior associate Rose Gurney specialises in advising on the buying and selling of rural and mixed estates, dealing with sporting rights, tenancy matters, mineral leases and options.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Farrer & Co are experts in their field and combine fantastic attention to detail with expert legal advice and we consider them to be a core part of our team. James Maxwell and Thomas Kirkman in particular will go above and beyond to be available to assist us with urgent needs and provide the best advice at all times'.
‘A highly intelligent, personable and interested set of individuals. Simon Pring - Experience and breadth as well as depth of knowledge'.
‘Emily Zethraeus is a first class solicitor, providing clear, coherent advice which is delivered in a very user-friendly manner. Emily is extremely responsive, enabling deals to be driven forwards in a timely fashion'.
‘Strength in depth. Good communication skills and very knowledgeable’.
‘Heavyweight landed estates team of the highest depth and experience. Positive attitude and 'likeability' which is important for a long term close working relationship’.
‘Edmund Fetherston-Dilke - one word: wow! He is simply a superlative lawyer with such a wide range of knowledge and expertise. Calm, convincing and brilliant'.
‘Great knowledge and diverse expertise across all sectors of the property legal fields’.
‘Patrick Hammond is superb, calm, helpful and thoroughly nice and professional to deal with as well as being extremely capable and knowledgeable’.
Key clients
- Duchy of Lancaster
- Duchy of Cornwall
- Church Commissioners for England
- The Crown Estate
- Burghley House Preservation Trust Limited
- All Souls College, Oxford
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Paul’s main area of practice is in advising private and institutional clients with landed estates on agricultural, commercial and residential property matters, including landlord and tenant issues, sporting, minerals, development options and overage. He has particular experience in telecommunications and the sale and purchase of, and the granting of security over, rural property.
James acts for private and institutional landowners in relation to the management of their rural property, including landlord and tenant issues, sporting and minerals, rights of access and manorial law. He specialises in the sale and purchase of rural estates and agricultural land. He is the Editor of the firm’s Agricultural Estates Newsletter.
Simon is head of the estates and private property team. He advises large landowning clients (primarily those with landed estates) on all aspects of property law arising in relation to their ownership including all investment leasing as well as sales and purchases. Clients include institutional and charitable bodies (e.g. The Duchy Of Lancaster and the Church Commissioners) as well as a number of private estates.
Rising stars
Rose is a Senior Associate in the Rural Property team. Rose’s experience includes acting for private individuals, landed estates and charities on farm and other rural property sales and purchases. Rose also advises on tenanted land issues including Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 succession, Rent Act tenancies and modern Farm Business Tenancies as well as commercial landlord and tenant matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Simon Pring