Described by some clients as ‘one of the leading firms in this practice area’, Michelmores LLP maintains a sizable team of experts who are well-placed to advise on practical and commercial matters. The team is led by Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams. Sharples is an expert in cross-sector contentious work, while Williams specialises in contentious agricultural matters. Other key team members include Adam Corbin, Rachel O’Connor, and Charlotte Razay: Corbin has broad knowledge of the sector and specialises in agricultural disputes; O’Connor advises on a broad spectrum of complex, contentious rural matters; and Razay is noted for her litigation experience.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Michelmores’ agricultural property litigation team is unquestionably the market leader. It has an unrivalled depth of expertise in all areas of agricultural law, particularly Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 matters and proprietary estoppel disputes.'
'I feel reassured when I am instructed by them, as I know things will come to me very well-prepared and managed.'
'One of the leading firms in this practice area, with a number of very experienced solicitors who know a great deal about agricultural disputes.'
'Ben Sharples is an outstanding solicitor and tactician with an excellent grasp of the law and of the technical aspects of agriculture and property. The best there is.'
'Impressive capacity and capabilities.'
'Vivienne Williams is an absolute leader in her field, with an awesome reputation across the agricultural property world. She is extremely personable, but also completely unflappable and focused on the task at hand.'

Key clients

Forestry Commission
Clinton Devon Estates
Environment Bank Limited
Hestercombe Garden Trust Limited
Pontypool Park Estate
Nijjar Group Holdings Acton Limited
Bradford Estates
Foundation for Common Land
Avon Needs Trees
FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group)

Work highlights

Acted for the Defendants in the reported case of Williams v Williams and Others [2022] concerning an agricultural partnership dispute and claims in proprietary estoppel following the death of one of the partners.
Advised the Forestry Commission concerning the first nutrient neutrality deal to be finalised in England.
Advised the Foundation for Common Land (FFCL) in relation to two pilot projects in the New Forest and Malvern Hills AONB in the context of DEFRA's Landscape Recovery Scheme Test and Trial projects.