Michelmores LLP has ‘very experienced solicitors who know a great deal about agricultural disputes'. The team regularly advises an array of landed estates, government bodies, public bodies, charitable organisations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients. It is also known for its expertise in natural capital and biodiversity net gain matters. In addition, it frequently acts for new entrants to the market seeking to re-wild the land or combine environmental payments with traditional agriculture. Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams co-head the department. The practice also draws on the expertise of its colleagues to advise on diverse matters from transactional property and contentious agricultural matters, to commercial issues. Josie Edwards was promoted to the partnership in May 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Ben Sharples is an outstandingly good solicitor with an excellent grasp of the law and of the technical aspects of agriculture and property, and he is an outstanding tactician. The best there is.'
‘A true heavyweight firm in the field of agriculture and estates, Michelmores deserves its reputation as one of the go-to firms in the country.’
- 'Adam Corbin is a very effective litigator who leads a fine team; with an in-depth knowledge of the sector he combines legal and commercial skills to excellent effect.'
- 'Vivienne Williams is one of the best. A leading practitioner who knows how to test and probe the tricky legal issues in a case.’
‘One of the best in the sector. Real specialists in agriculture and estates work. Strength in depth. Very strong client base.’
‘Vivienne Williams is exceptionally clever and user friendly. Charlotte Razay is very diligent, on the ball and commercially minded.'
'True experts in agricultural law, with a talented team of lawyers. Vivienne Williams is very intelligent and knowledgeable, and a great leader of her team.’
- 'Michelmores is well and long-established as the practice with the best resources and greatest breadth and depth of expertise in this area. Their capacity to conduct work in this area at the highest level is unmatched by any competitors.'
Key clients
- Forestry Commission
- Freshways – Medina Group
- Revere
- Sedgewick
- Pontypool Park Estates
- Stretton Estate
- Bradford Estates
- North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Foundation
- Ham/Williams
- Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
- Duchy of Cornwall
Work highlights
- Acted for the defendants in the Court of Appeal in the reported case of Williams v Williams and Others [2024] concerning an agricultural partnership dispute and claims in proprietary estoppel following the death of one of the partners.
- Acting for the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Foundation in relation to a DEFRA funded 'test & trial project', a grant scheme DEFRA is operating to assist in the development of its new Environmental Land Management Schemes.
- Acting for a group of dairy and livestock farmers in complex litigation against a large organisation providing agronomy services.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ben Sharples, Vivienne Williams