Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 500 lawyers and legal professionals based in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally.
Our business is divided into four principal practice groups: property (including planning and environmental); corporate services (including banking and finance, corporate, commercial, data protection, employment, immigration, and tax); litigation and dispute resolution (including IP); and private client advisory (including family).
Within these practice groups, we have deep sector expertise, spanning agriculture and landed estates, charities and social enterprise, construction, ecclesiastical, education, energy and utilities, family businesses, food, healthcare and care homes, housebuilding and social housing, leisure and tourism, natural capital, public sector, real estate investment, retail and automotive, shipping and international trade, technology and telecoms and transport and logistics.
With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.
However, it our culture that makes us stand out. We are truly collaborative, inclusive and caring and our motto is “Not just a firm, a family”. |
The Agriculture and Estates team at Birketts is one of the largest specialist legal units in the UK operating in this niche area of the law. The team advises both UK and international clients on all aspects of UK legislation affecting rural real estate investment - including farm acquisitions and disposals, renewable energy projects, planning issues, natural capital, investment in equestrian and rural estate, rights of way and environmental liabilities.
The team is ranked 'Tier 1' in Legal 500 for 2023 and 'Band 1' Chambers 2023. The firm was awarded 'Private Client Regional Law Firm of the Year 2018 and 2017'. |
You will join a highly successful, leading Agriculture and Estates team who are seeing substantial growth, resulting in the need for extra resource to take forward ambitious plans for the future.
The team Agriculture and Estates team in Norwich is led by Sophia Key, and overall Team Leader is Chris Coupland who along with other team members will guide and support you throughout your career at Birketts LLP. The team's expertise covers a variety of different types of rural issues including:
- Sales and acquisitions of agricultural property and land (including options, overages and pre-emption agreements);
- Agricultural tenancies;
- Sporting and fishing rights;
- Banking and re-financing agricultural properties;
- Residential conveyancing and tenancy advice for farming and estate clients;
- Business structures and joint venture/collaborative agreements;
- Diversification issues;
- Succession planning;
- Working with the wider Private Client and tax teams advising on:
- Wills, trust planning and probate matters
- Tax Advice in relation to IHT, SDLT, BADR, CGT and VAT
- Renewable Energy and Natural Capital Schemes
- Basic payment scheme, agri-environment and ELMS scheme issues.
Your work would include:
- Drafting, negotiating and agreeing documentation for property sales and purchases, deeds of easement and other property-related documents;
- Managing your own smaller transactions and liaising with other team members on larger transactions
- Attending meetings with clients and other law firms
- Attending business development events
|
We are seeking an ambitious, driven and forward thinking NQ / Solicitor, with 0-3 years PQE, with a passion for rural matters and an interest in Agricultural law to come and join our growing team on a full time permanent basis.
You will need to demonstrate strong attention to detail in order to produce work/ documentation which is consistently of a high standard. You will have a flexible approach to work to ensure client deadlines are always met and clients are communicated with on a consistent and regular basis and an interest in and aptitude for business development.
Prior experience of Agricultural law is not essential, but candidates must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in becoming a specialist within this area. Candidates with good quality experience of either Private Client or Property who have a desire to specialise in Agriculture and Estates would be highly suited. |
We are committed to recruiting individuals on merits of suitability for each role, on the basis of qualifications and experience. All applications are treated fairly and equally regardless of sexual orientation, race, disability, religious beliefs and any other protected characteristic, ensuring that there are equal opportunities at all stages of the recruitment process.
Benefits
One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:
- 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays rising with service / promotion
- Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years’ continuous service
- Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
- Staff Profit Share / performance bonus
- Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
- Paid CSR day (Corporate Social Responsibilty)
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Subsidised gym membership
- Electric car scheme
- Eye Care Voucher
- Agile Working Policy
- Dress for your Day Policy
|