England - South West • Private client
Clarke Willmott LLP
Regarded as 'outstanding in the agricultural and estates market', Clarke Willmott LLP fields a ‘highly efficient and knowledgeable’ team who work with a mix of farmers, rural landowners and agri-food businesses on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Esther Woolford, who heads the team, has extensive experience of dealing with contentious probate matters. Polly Ridgway is an experienced litigator who recently acted as the lading solicitor in the Guest v Guest Supreme Court case.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Clarke Willmott is unique in that as a client, I felt highly regarded and valued by everybody I conversed with and they each handled my file very personably, giving me complete confidence in their capabilities.'
- 'Highly efficient and knowledgeable. Outstanding in the agricultural and estates market and able to offer proper advice to clients. Mark Buckerfield is an outstanding professional.'
- 'Rod Lloyd-Jones and his team have an excellent knowledge of residential and agricultural legal matters which, coupled with the excellent responsiveness help for a really smooth process.'
- 'The team have high levels of patience and maintain professionalism at all times. I have worked with them on a number of cases where the opposition are ridiculously difficult to deal with, but the team also kept a level-head throughout.'
- 'Whilst this department are very skilled and professional in their industry, they are also very 'human' as well, and by this, I mean they are not your traditional work-horse billing machines where work is work; they are engaging with their clients, friendly, and can engage on a personal level as well whilst maintaining their professionalism.'
- 'The level of experience and leadership that Esther brings to matters cannot be understated. Esther is a skilled, knowledgeable, and resourceful lawyer.'
- 'Clarke Willmott has deep ties to the agricultural community, a solid understanding of their wants and needs, and a knack for translating those needs into digestible legal advice.'
- 'Both Laura and Esther make a formidable team which gives you so much confidence and are a pleasure to work with.'
Key clients
- Guest V Guest
- NFU Members
- Duke of Beaufort Hunt
- Yeo Valley Associates
Work highlights
- Acting in Guest v Guest, a proprietary estoppel claim. Issue of quantum (the type and extent of the remedy) has been appealed by the other party (his parents) to the Supreme Court. Judgment in our client’s favour.
- Acting for NFU Members NFU v Nationwide, a class action against 4 finance companies relating to the mis-selling of finance. Resulted in successful settlement after over 5 years of proceedings and significant negotiations.
- Acted for the Huntsman and Whipper-In of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt when prosecuted for an allegation of illegal hunting. Case discontinued prior to trial after Defence representations.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Esther Woolford