Agriculture and estates

Payne Hicks Beach LLP

At Payne Hicks Beach LLP, Simon Blackburn leads a team of ‘excellent communicators’ who ’will work hard to find solutions to problems’. The group works for the owners of over 50 farms, estates, and country houses varying in size from 150 acres to well over 30,000 acres. Some of these estates are worth over £300m, and many of these estates have houses and grounds that are open to the public. Robert Brodrick acts for the trustees and owners of landed estates on a variety of tax and estate planning matters, while Rosamond McDowell is the trusted legal adviser to a number of substantial landed estate owners. Rupert Burchett is another key member of the department.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team was very responsive and provided very clear advice. They were also very good at progressing the matter and coming to us when they needed further directions from us, which we appreciated.’
‘Simon Blackburn is an extraordinary lawyer and extremely approachable. He offers sound advice that takes into account the big picture. ’
‘The team really took an interest in our needs as a client; they were willing to get out of the office and visit the property, so they fully understood what mattered and why. Showed a dogged determination to get things done, even in the most trying of circumstances.’
‘Simon Blackburn and Rupert Burchett were both excellent, both technically and also in seeing through an unexpectedly challenging transaction.’
‘PHB offer a very personable service. One can always speak to the person they want, and their advice is offered succinctly and in a timely manner.’
‘Simon Blackburn and his team have given us a very good service. It's difficult to pick out members of their agriculture team, but they are so helpful, and easy to talk to, even if out of hours. Always willing to go the extra mile to please.’
‘Their knowledge in farming, country house and estate work is noteworthy. A stand out partner for me and my business is Simon Blackburn due to his specialist knowledge in country estate work and his efficiency and clarity.’
‘Simon Blackburn has a near encyclopaedic memory and unquestionably masters the brief. ’