The Landed Estates & Farm Tax Conference: The 4th Annual Edition

Simon advises UK and overseas buyers on all aspects of transacting and managing farms, estates and country houses. Simon regularly advises on the sale of land for development, in addition to helping clients to deal with manorial rights and rural rights of way, (public and private); he also has a strong background in dealing with issues arising under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and unregistered land.

Simon acts on behalf of prestigious high net worth individuals, many of whom are custodians of landed estates handed down through generations. He also acts for entrepreneurs, landowners and estate managers, some of who have invested in other activities such as horse racing, equestrian activities, and shooting.

Simon is well known in the market, in and outside of London, with his relationships spanning from Norfolk to the New Forest. Surveyors, land agents and banks regularly refer clients to Simon and are appreciative of his approach in being able to calmy deal with most complex transactions.

In 2024 Simon chaired the Thought Leaders 4 Private Client: The Landed Estates & Farm Tax Conference. In 2025 he will take great pride in chairing this central London conference again, where he will be joined by lawyers, surveyors, banks and land agents to deliver an inspiringly curated day of thoughtful panel discussion and debate.

Simon regularly attends and contributes to Country Land Association (CLA) events in London and outside the M25. He is recognised in Legal 500 2024 as a Leading Partner for Agriculture and estates.

Hannah specialises in providing advice and support to a range of clients including landed estates, agribusinesses and the commercial sector. Hannah provides a wide breadth of compliance and advisory services, covering accounts, audit, and taxation matters.

Her approach to client care is to ensure that she fully understands her clients, their core challenges and opportunities and in turn develops strong working relationships them.

Hannah has both accounting and tax qualifications which enables her to offer a fully integrated, pragmatic approach when advising her clients.

Hannah is a member of the firm’s Land and Rural Group and Estates Discussion Group. She has presented at internal and external events including the firm’s annual Rural Business updates.

Rebecca is recognised as a leading junior in property and agricultural work. She specialises in property and all aspects of landlord and tenant law.  She has a particular interest in developments and agricultural land focusing on restrictive and freehold covenants, easements and complex issues surrounding the recovery of land.

Recent notable cases include the first appellate case in England and Wales on the availability of equitable set- off to defeat a notice to quit pursuant to Case D, Sch.3 Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, Spencer v Secretary of State for Defence [2019] EWHC 1526 (Ch); [2019] 1 WLR 6065;  the proprietary estoppel case of Windsor- Clive v Rees [2021] EWHC 3180 (Ch); forfeiture/ subletting case of Bedford v Paragon Asra Housing Ltd [2022] L&TR 7 and the recent Court of Appeal decision in Stampfer v Avon Ground Rents [2022] EWCA Civ 1375; [2022] 1 WLR 68 on recovery of administration charges for collection of ground rents.

Rebecca is a contributor to three editions of Service Charge and Management: Law & Practice, Halsbury’s Laws and Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law (Landlord and Tenant).

Rebecca is a fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and member of the Property Bar Association and Ecclesiastical Law Association.

She has been recommended in real estate and agriculture in Chambers UK and Legal 500 (Tier 1) for a number of years. 

Rupert is a Senior Associate in the Landed Estates and Agriculture team, advising on a wide range of property-related rural matters.

Rupert acts for landowning clients and buyers in relation to all aspects of rural property, including sales and purchases of farms and estates, first registrations, option agreements, easements and rights of way, sporting rights, agricultural tenancies and licences and commercial tenancies of diversified agri-businesses (including sporting leases). He is regularly involved with some of the more esoteric aspects of this type of work, including dealing with land subject to the Settled Land Act 1925 and advising on notices to quit pursuant to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.

Rupert read Modern Languages at Pembroke College, Oxford before completing his academic legal training. Since his training and qualifying at Clifford Chance LLP, Rupert has practised as an agricultural property lawyer in Oxford and Cheltenham. He joined the Army in 2015 and served as an officer in the Army Legal Services, retiring as a Major in 2021.

Rupert still serves as a Major in the Army Legal Services (Reserve). He also has a keen interest in country sports and rural affairs.

He qualified in 2011 and joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2022.

Described by Chambers & Partners as ‘an exceptional barrister’, Aidan Briggs has established himself as a specialist advocate and advisor for trusts, estates and property disputes. His regular trial experience in the High Court gives him the edge in the courtroom and makes him a favourite for factually complex cases where effective cross-examination may be the difference between winning and losing. 

Aidan’s practice covers the full range of private client matters: contested probate and 1975 Act claims, partnership disputes and contentious trusts work (both on- and offshore) as well as proprietary estoppel, commercial landlord and tenant disputes and trusts of land. His cases often involve multiple jurisdictions and issues of domicile.

Aidan is fully versed in the tax implications of private client disputes and regularly advises in relation to Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty Land Tax matters, particularly as they affect farmland and farming families.

Peter specialises in Landed Estates but also manages a mixed portfolio of clients which include wealthy individuals, owner managed businesses, agribusiness and not-for-profit entities. He provides a bespoke service to clients by helping them with both their audit and accounting needs, their tax compliance requirements and tax planning.

Peter is a regular speaker at both internal and external events. Recent external audiences have included RICS and Energy Now Expo.

Peter is a member of the firm’s Landed Estates Practice Group, Renewable Energy Team and Estates Discussion Group.  He is also a committee member of the ICAEW’s Farming and Rural community.

Matthew is a partner in the private client and tax team, with a focus on farms and landed estates.

Key to his success is in advising clients on how to hold and retain family assets and businesses and the effective transfer to successive generations. He has the ability to listen and understand the objectives and aims of the client before coming up with solutions to achieve those goals.

These skills have allowed Matthew to advise a wide range of clients who do not own rural property, many of whom have connections outside of the UK, in particular the Middle East, the US and low tax jurisdictions.

In 2015, Matthew was named as one of the best Landed Estates lawyers in the Spear’s 500 list, one of only 10 lawyers profiled in the UK.

Elsa is a partner in the private client tax team and specialise in advising the individuals behind the wealth. The types of clients that seek out her advice and guidance cover a broad range of people including family offices, entrepreneurs, families, landed estates and trustees. She is recognised for her deep technical expertise in the field of wealth and asset structuring both in the UK and from a global perspective.

Tim Coates is a 3rd generation farmer - currently in an aggressive regenerative transition. He is a Director of the North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster community interest company, England’s largest farmer cluster and is also the Managing Director of the Evenlode Landscape Recovery - the cluster’s Natural Capital Special Purpose Vehicle. 

Tim was the co-founder and Chief Customer & Regulatory Officer of Oxbury Bank Plc, the UK’s only dedicated bank for food, farming and the rural economy where he implemented a Responsible Impact and Natural Capital approach to strategy, including being the first UK Financial Institution to fully disclose under the TNFD framework. 

He now supports projects across the UK on raising finance for nature as Chief Investment Officer at Great Yellow. He has advised numerous financial institutions on interactions with the rural and farming community, including contributing to reports and research by the Green Alliance, Bankers for Net Zero and the Green Finance Institute. He also sits on the Board of the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership responsible for the county’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Nicholas has practiced in the south-east since 1991 and is Head of Land Management in Sussex and Surrey, overseeing the largest team of land agents in the region from his base in our Lewes Office.

He specialises in giving strategic advice to landowners and planning and managing their businesses in a creative and intelligent way that meets their personal goals. He is experienced in strategy reviews for landed estates. Nicholas has particular interest in business management, is commercially very aware and is a skilled negotiator. In addition, Nicholas regularly provides Expert Witness valuation advice and is experienced in giving expert evidence in court. He also leads our viticulture team in Sussex and Surrey, having advised producers on viticultural property for twenty years.

By approaching problems with the analytical and intellectual rigor of an academic, Roland offers far more than formulaic land and property investment advice. Nine Oxbridge colleges, The Wellcome Trust, and several landed families deeply trust his objective and rational view of the rural investment market.

Roland leads the provision of management services and strategic advice for his client’s complex portfolios in the UK’s fast-changing rural investment market. He delivers acquisitions and disposals, manages lease arrangements and leads development activity, providing professional support in some of the UK’s most interesting and highly sustainable markets.

These green infrastructure and natural capital markets will form a significant part of the UK’s future green economy, but this ecology graduate is already a veteran in the space having delivered net gain in biodiversity during development for more than a decade across projects worth £15bn.

His understanding of ecological objectives, the economics of land management, policy and regulatory issues, and practical delivery is helping shape these transformative new markets through the innovative schemes and investment opportunities he delivers.

By applying the financial rigour he’s renowned for to green infrastructure markets and opportunities - forensically analysing risk, returns and liabilities - Roland is helping his clients seize some world-changing and rewarding opportunities.

Philip is a private client partner who acts for a large number of farmers, landowners and high-net worth individuals. He has particular expertise in advising on succession planning and the structuring of farm businesses. His approach is to give practical and workable solutions to clients taking into account their circumstances and particular needs and wishes. He deals will all aspects of Wills, capital tax planning (including advice around issues relating to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief), trusts, heritage assets, probates and farming partnerships; advice which requires a high level of technical knowhow combined with commercial acumen.

Philip is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association, a member of the Country Land and Business Association and ranked in Legal 500, Chambers High Net Worth Guide and Spear’s 500. He regularly lectures nationally to professionals on capital taxation, Wills, trusts and farming business structures. As well as being on the editorial advisory board for Farm Tax Briefing and a contributor to Stanley’s Taxation of Farmers and Landowners he has written a book entitled A Practical Guide to the Law of Farming Partnerships.

Lucinda is a specialist in resolving troublesome issues affecting trusts and estates. She has a leading reputation nationally for her expertise in will validity claims, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, rectification claims, claims for the removal of trustees and fiduciaries, Mental Capacity Act matters, breach of trust claims, Variation of Trust applications, and proprietary estoppel claims. Her cases often have an international element and she's had notable successes at trial and mediation.

Lucinda has nearly 20 years’ experience in resolving disputes, this means she is equipped to offer clients an early view on the prospects of success of a claim. She recognises that disputes in this area are often complex and emotionally charged, and she aims to deal with all of her cases swiftly and at proportionate cost. Lucinda's a strong advocate for mediation and is committed to achieving her clients’ objectives.

She was recently successful in defending a claim in undue influence brought against her client and also succeeded in preserving the majority of a very valuable estate for her charity client in the face of a claim by the deceased’s widow under the 1975 Act.

Oliver specialises in tax planning for high net worth UK domiciled and resident individuals with particular expertise in planning with residential property. He advises on Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, preparing Wills and administering high value and complex estates.

Oliver's client base includes multi-generational families who hold agricultural business assets and are concerned with succession planning. In 2024 and 2025 Oliver has been a regular contributor to the media on the inheritance tax position of Agricultural Property Relief, which will greatly impact agriculture and estate clients. Oliver has been advising clients since this announcement on planning strategies to limit the impact on estates.

Oliver’s practice also covers contentious trusts and probate work including bringing and defending claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (”the ’75 Act”), mental capacity claims, and claims for and against trustees. Oliver is a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Anita Symington heads up Russell-Cooke’s rural and agribusiness team. She advises clients on all aspects of agricultural property law and agribusiness.

She have over 35 years experience advising clients on all aspects of agricultural property law and agribusiness, with experience as a partner in a mixed farming business, a private client partner in a large city law firm and two top 100 firm’s specialising in agricultural law, and as chief legal adviser to the CLA.

Anita was the former Chief Legal Advisor to the CLA (Country Land & Business Association) and has extensive experience in advising on rural and agribusiness matters. She has written and lectured on a wide range of subjects relating to rural property and featured as a Leader in Legal 500 and Chambers. 

She regularly contributes to government consultation documents and committees.

Anita joined Russell-Cooke in 2023 to head up Russell-Cooke’s Rural & Agribusiness team.

Anita is a brilliant lawyer with first-class knowledge of her

Mike is an SRA Regulated Partner in the Trusts and Estates team and qualified in 2008.

Mike advises on all aspects of non-contentious work for private clients, particularly specialising in providing strategic inheritance tax and succession planning advice to entrepreneurs, family and rural businesses and landed estates. 

This includes advising on wills, trusts and other wealth structuring such as family investment companies and family partnerships.

Mike advises business owners on pre and post-business sale estate planning including utilising inheritance tax and capital gains tax reliefs, as well as employee ownership trusts.

He also advises landowners on their estate planning in relation to strategic land opportunities such as residential property development and solar leases.

Mike previously worked as a partner at a large regional practice, heading up their tax and succession team. He works with clients across the south of England and further afield. Mike is valued by his clients for his ability to provide clear and straightforward advice on often complex matters, as well as for taking time to understand their individual needs and those of their families. Mike is a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500.

Graeme Gass is a specialist in succession planning and asset protection for high-net-worth families, with a particular focus on the complexities of owning and managing landed estates and family businesses. His work typically involves providing technical advice on capital taxes (including LBTT) and structuring partnerships and trusts to facilitate a strategic approach to family succession and asset protection. He also has a keen interest in art and heritage assets.

Graeme believes that effective advice goes beyond addressing immediate issues; it must be considered within the broader context and long-term objectives. His approach ensures that solutions are informed, practical, and tailored to each client's unique circumstances.

The most rewarding aspects of his work include building long-term relationships as a trusted advisor, offering objective guidance, and tackling complex tax and legal challenges that require thorough research and strategic application.

A highly experienced agricultural partner with expertise in development of land, Mark advises farmers, estate owners and the wide landowner community on a wide range of land matters. Along with the buying and selling of farms, estates and businesses, he advises clients on contracts and tax planning matters for farming businesses and families. He has also advised government departments on agricultural decisions.

Mark is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association.

Much of Mark's work focuses on agricultural law, such as FBTs, AHA tenancies, contract farming and agri-environmental schemes. He is particularly experienced in dealing with the sale and purchase of farms, estates and agri-businesses, and in cases involving high-value secured lending for farms and estates.

Mark has a special interest in the equine space. He has advised client on setting up polo yards and on the sale and purchase of studs, racing yards and estates.

Supporting the Development of Land team with his Agriculture expertise, Mark advises landowners on option, promotion and hybrid agreements for development. His has unique expertise in creating deals that allow farming businesses to continue until land development and planning arrangements efficiently tax purposes. Mark's advice extends beyond the immediate development deal and he helps position farming businesses and their families for future. He also advises on diversification projects, including renewables for landowners.

Tom acts for a broad range of clients, including trustees, executors and beneficiaries, in relation to a variety of trust and succession disputes.

Tom has particular expertise in complex trust disputes, including representative beneficiary work, and a growing specialism in landed estates, acting for both the custodians of and beneficiaries to inter-generational family wealth. Tom regularly works alongside the firm’s private client team to deal with contentious and non-contentious trust and succession matters both in England and in offshore jurisdictions. 

Tom is a member of the Agricultural Law Association.   

Jennifer acts for a wide range of international and UK-based families, individuals and trustees, advising on estate planning, wealth structuring and trust issues. She is committed to working with families, and those that advise them and their often complex structures, to achieve successful succession between generations.

A significant part of Jennifer's practice is advising UK and offshore trustees on their duties and decision-making, and providing UK tax advice in connection with complex trust structures.  She helps trustees and families with the creation, management and reorganisation of structures with a focus on ensuring successful transfer of wealth between generations.  She is frequently involved in providing succession advice in a broad sense, including working with families in relation to good governance and philanthropic concerns.    

A large number of the families she looks after are multi-national and typically own properties, businesses and hold investment across a number of countries.  Jennifer assists families and individuals who are non-UK domiciled in relation to pre-arrival planning and pre-deemed domicile planning.  She also has experience of acting for individuals involved in the literary and entertainment worlds, and the particular issues that arise in connection with their estates, both in terms of lifetime planning and after their death.

Jennifer has extensive experience in acting for large landed estates.  She works with estate owning families and trustees, with a key focus on managing succession.  She works collaboratively with property and other colleagues to provide forward-looking commercial advice, and regularly assists with complex inheritance tax issues, trust restructuring, and helping resolve trustee-beneficiary issues for large estates.  She particularly enjoys working as a team with other professionals involved with landed estates, working together to find proactive solutions for families who want to see their inherited wealth prosper for future generations.

Her experience of trust matters and advice to trustees and families means she is frequently involved in aspects of UK and offshore trust litigation and non-contentious applications to court, and works closely with the firm's contentious trusts and estates team.  She has particular experience in acting as independent administrator or trustee following a probate or trust dispute.

Clients look to Jennifer as a trusted adviser and appreciate her sensitive and thoughtful approach to complex family matters, including difficult issues such as capacity, family breakdown and reputation concerns, as well as her technical expertise.

Elizabeth Wilson practises in all areas of revenue law with particular emphasis on personal and corporate tax. Recent advisory work includes advice and planning on capital gains and income tax for individuals and trusts (onshore and offshore), inheritance tax agricultural and business property reliefs, pensions, corporate tax (loan relationships, intangibles etc), and SDLT (including the scope of s75A and other anti-avoidance measures). She advises taxpayers and the Crown. Elizabeth’s litigation practice covers corporation tax, personal tax and SDLT and she has achieved successful outcomes for her clients in all courts from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court, both acting alone, and as the leader of a team.

Danny began his career in accountancy and tax at a top 10 firm in 2013, before qualifying as a Chartered Tax Advisor and a Chartered Accountant in 2019.

Throughout Danny’s career, he has looked after a wide range of landed estates and rural clients. He has a detailed knowledge of the wide range of structures this his clients will employ, including the various types of trusts, partnerships and corporate entities, and enjoys advising on how these can be best utilised to a client’s own specific situation. Danny specialises in providing advice on tax efficient succession planning, and understands the challenges rural business owners face when planning for the next generation.

In his spare time, Danny is a keen cyclist and enjoys spending time with his young family.