Role: Agricultural and Rural Affairs Solicitor
Location: Worcester Office
Term: Permanent
The Firm
We are seeking a Solicitor to join our highly regarded Agriculture & Rural Affairs (ARA) team based in Worcester. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with either agricultural law experience or a commercial property background, who is keen to learn and specialise in agricultural property work within a supportive, award‑winning department and a long‑established firm.
About mfg
Vous rejoindrez un cabinet d’avocats régional qui jouit d’une excellente réputation, reconnue dans le legal 500 grâce à nos personnes exceptionnelles. Nous voulons vous aider à atteindre votre plein potentiel, aimer votre travail et fournir les meilleurs résultats à nos clients. Notre objectif est de vous faire sentir heureux d’y travailler, et nous travaillons dur pour cultiver une culture qui rend facile votre présence prolongée avec nous.
The Agricultural and Rural Affairs Team
You will work alongside Partner Alex Phillips and other fee earning and support colleagues at our Worcester office. Our team operates from mfg’s Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Telford, Worcester and Ludlow offices.
Key Responsibilities
Casework & Legal Advice
* Manage a varied and busy caseload of agricultural and rural affairs matters with supervision as required (if a successful candidate has limited agricultural experience).
* Advise on agricultural property transactions, including sales, purchases, leases, licences, easements as well as acting for Landowners in relation to development work such as option agreements and overage arrangements.
* Handle agricultural tenancies including AHA, FBTs, and grazing licences.
* Advise on rural land development and diversification.
* Advise on various matters that affect rural clients including rights of way, boundaries, covenants and wayleaves.
* Support succession planning and estate matters with Private Client and our dedicated Tax and Estate Planning colleagues.
Client Care & Business Development
* Maintain excellent client relationships and service standards within a team with long standing client relationships and a strong regional reputation.
* Attend client meetings, site visits, and sector events.
* Contribute to business development and networking activities.
* Maintain accurate time recording and billing.
* Be proactive and team focused with a commitment to excellent client service.
Compliance & Quality
* Work in accordance with SRA Standards and firm policies.
* Maintain legal knowledge and comply with AML, GDPR, and file management requirements.
* Participate in supervision and file audits.
Team Contribution
* Support and supervise junior colleagues if/where appropriate.
* Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales.
* Experience or strong interest in agricultural law or commercial property with a willingness to learn something new.
* Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills.
* Experience with agricultural land and property transactions and AHA and FBT tenancies or with commercial property and lease transactions with a willingness to learn.
* Knowledge of rural estates, succession planning, or renewables.
* Knowledge of overage, option agreements and other development agreements.
* Someone who takes a practical and commercial approach to advising clients.
* Team player who works collaboratively and wants to get involved in team and firm events.
Salary & Benefits
* 25 days’ holiday to start rising to 26 (plus additional days at Christmas and statutory Bank Holidays)
* Employee Assistance programme and wellbeing services – 24/7 helpline facility
* Discounted legal fees for staff and family members (subject to terms)
* Death in service provision
* Auto enrolment in our Company Pension
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