Warners has secured a top rank position in both leading legal directories, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Both directories carry out rigorous in-depth, independent research into the legal profession which includes taking feedback from clients, other law firms and industry professionals that have dealt with the respective firms. Using the research a set of rankings are produced to provide an accurate reliable source of information about the quality of law firms within a particular sector.
For the fifth consecutive year, Legal 500 has ranked Warners’ agricultural team in Band 1 in the South East ahead of 18 other firms. The guide describes the team as providing an “excellent service” and it identifies head of team, Steve Colville, as being a leading individual. Other recommended lawyers include Gail Hall, Michael McNally, Tim Ryan and Samantha Bradburne.
This year Chambers and Partners has also placed the team in Band 1 in its results. The guide’s researchers reported that “an interviewee lauds the lawyers’ in-depth knowledge of all legal matters relating to agricultural properties and describes them as friendly, with a reassuring air of professionalism and confidence”.
The team is also praised for its “good grasp and understanding of complex matters and ability to deliver a clear, considered opinion and its provision of solid, sensible advice that takes into account costs when advising how to go forward.”
The guide recommends Steve Colville who is described as being “very good, very solid and giving good advice”. He is also described as “a very able practitioner who works with you, rather than against you”.
The guide also recommends agriculture-related regulatory and criminal matters expert, Tim Ryan, and reports that a source states “If you had a problem with your shotgun certificate, or a gamekeeper shooting birds of prey, Tim Ryan would undoubtedly be your man”.
Michael McNally is also recommended by the guide, he is described as “primarily handling contentious work for rural and agricultural clients. His broad practice covers sporting rights, boundary disputes and firearms matters, while he also advises on employment law”.
Steve Colville said: “we are absolutely thrilled that both legal directories have recognised the expertise that we have within our agricultural team. We are extremely proud of the long history that we have within this sector and the long established relationships we have built with farmers, landowners and landed estates having acted for several generations of farming families”.
The full rankings for the guides can be found here: