Julia Routledge Qualifies as a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association
Leathes Prior is delighted to announce Julia Routledge, Senior Associate in our Agriculture & Commercial Property Teams, has qualified as a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA) having successfully completed the final examination.
Leathes Prior is delighted to announce Julia Routledge, Senior Associate in our Agriculture & Commercial Property Teams, has qualified as a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA) having successfully completed the final examination.
The Agricultural Law Association is the UK’s largest inter-professional organisation devoted to the law and business of the countryside. The course to become a Fellow of the ALA includes an intensive study of a wide range of legal topics covering all aspects of agricultural and rural issues including litigation, trusts, taxation, regulatory issues, and land law. Gaining Fellowship status is the highest qualification the ALA offers with only 20 candidates undertaking the course annually and approximately 200 professionals with this accreditation. We are delighted to celebrate Julia accomplishing such an achievement.
Julia joined Leathes Prior in 2021 and her practice predominantly focuses on helping clients within the agricultural sector, with particular expertise in the buying and selling of farmland and estates, refinancing of farmland, land promotion and development, and acting for landowners on rights of way and easements.
Partner Lucy Whipps, said “We are so very proud of Julia for becoming a Fellow of the ALA. This is not an easy feat, requiring an in-depth knowledge of the many issues facing the agricultural sector, many hours of study, and a written examination.
This accreditation is a testament to Julia’s expertise, dedication, and work ethic. These are qualities we see shared with our clients every day and that we are proud to champion at Leathes Prior. Congratulations once again Julia; this is very well deserved.”
If you have any questions relating to Agricultural Law, including property, trusts, estate planning, and disputes, get in touch with our specialist team here.
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Charity of the Month: Sue Lambert Trust
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Sue Lambert Trust as our Charity of the Month for February 2026. Sue Lambert Trust is a leading charity in Norfolk offering free therapeutic counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Supreme Court ruling set to impact NHS - Children injured by NHS can claim damages for lifetime lost earnings
In February 2026, the Supreme Court passed a ruling which is set to significantly increase the amount of damages the NHS may have to pay for claims brought in respect of children injured at birth, as a result of medical negligence.
The Value of Planning Ahead: LPAs & Court of Protection
Putting LPAs in place allows you to choose trusted people to make decisions for you if you lose capacity in the future. This avoids the need for loved ones to make a costly and time-consuming deputyship application to the Court of Protection. With more people likely to experience conditions affecting capacity, more families may need to turn to the Court for support where no LPAs are in place.
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The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
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