LEADING north-east law firm Ledingham Chalmers has added agricultural and rural affairs lawyer Clive Phillips to its team, it was announced yesterday.
Mr Phillips, (age 41) has a passion for the land and is himself an active farmer in Kincardineshire, and breeder of Icelandic horses.
Originally from Stonehaven and educated at Mackie Academy and Dundee University, Mr Phillips arrives at Ledingham Chalmers from Paull and Williamson, where he was made partner in 2002.
Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in agricultural law, he is also a director of the Scottish Icelandic Horse Association, member of the Agricultural Law Association and the Royal Highland Agricultural Society.
"The rural sector has experienced significant challenges in recent years, with legislative changes, particularly in the landlord/tenant sector, CAP reform and difficult trading conditions," said Mr Phillips who joins Ledingham Chalmers as a partner.
He sees his role as assisting clients in steering a course through these challenges, whether acting for estate clients, commercial farmers or diversified rural businesses.
"There is some cause for cautious optimism - land prices continue to hold firm or better, farm gate prices look better across most sectors (with the exception of milk) and biofuel opportunities offer some interesting prospects on the horizon."
Mr Phillips, who will work alongside Ledingham Chalmers partner Allan Collie, also an accredited specialist in agricultural law, added: "I have always been impressed by Ledingham Chalmers' enthusiasm and commitment to the rural sector.
Mr Phillips' practice has covered the full range of legal work generally associated with rurally based clients - agricultural, crofting and rural estate law, farming partnerships, tax and succession planning and trust and executry administration. An additional area of expertise is advising charities on constitutional and operational issues.
"I particularly look forward to joining a very good team which I know will add further value to clients' business. I am enthusiastic about joining the firm and making a positive contribution to its growth especially in my area of work."
Ledingham Chalmers' agriculture, forestry and estates practice handles a range of work including the acquisition, disposal and leasing of farms, estates, woodlands, sporting interests and other rural property.
The firm also provides specialist advice to financial institutions on security transactions relating to rural property, and to both landlords and tenants on all aspects of the agricultural holdings and crofting legislation.
Thainstone Agriculture Centre, the setting for the firm's announcement yesterday, is a major focal point for the agricultural sector in the north-east and houses banks, chartered accountants and land agents. Ledingham Chalmers has had an office there since 1993.
Ledingham Chalmers chairman David Laing said: "Clive's arrival brings not only another partner but some important complementary experience and expertise within the rural sector. Allan has established an excellent reputation and an enviable profile, which I know Clive will help us strengthen."
