Landed Estates
At Leathes Prior, we understand the complexities of landed estates, and the ever evolving challenges and opportunities; each estate presenting different challenges and opportunities which we are equipped to assist with. Estate owners are managing their estates differently, investing in the environment, diversifying the way they generate income, and becoming more engaged with community. This is something we aim to support our estate clients through, with comprehensive legal advice from our diverse and multi-disciplined team.
Our Landed Estates Team headed up by Darren Bowen, provide expert and specialist advice to those managing landed estates including high net-worth individuals, family partnerships, charitable trusts and companies. Our Landed Estates Team comprises of a variety of teams at Leathes Prior who work collaboratively together to advise on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters relating to your Estate portfolio:
We advise on the following matters relating to commercial activities, residential property (including landlord and tenant matters), commercial property, agricultural land, option and overage matters, private wealth and tax and succession planning.
We work alongside our landed estate clients on all their commercial & agricultural property needs, including sales and purchases, granting underleases to complimentary occupiers, financing premises, and leasehold portfolio management matters. Sally Challinor & her team also provide targeted environmental support to our landed estate clients.
Our team assists clients by providing estate owners with the necessary advice to protect, manage and enhance their assets over the long term. Whether you require advice on structuring the ownership of your business and estate, succession planning, acquiring or disposing of assets, commercial licences, or with supplier agreements, our team is on hand to help. Depending on the nature of your estate, we can also advice on the terms of membership, use or access to the estate, or the commercial agreements and policies that govern the same.
We understand that estates are managed with care and attention that often crosses generations, and we provide that same care and attention, along with our overall legal expertise, to ensure that you can move forward with clarity and confidence, and that your estate maintains and preserves its heritage now, and for the future.
We act for landed estate clients in all areas of employment law, including preparing bespoke employment contracts and policies tailored to the unique needs in this arena; managing staff; advising on employment disputes, termination and recruitment; acting in employment tribunal litigation and immigration assistance.
With our comprehensive understanding of the landed estates, we swiftly navigate complex workplace matters to ensure, where possible, a swift, practical resolution is reached. Our experience in the sector means our solicitors give relevant, specialist, practical and up to the minute advice on situations in your business as they develop.
Our dedicated Disputes Team support our landed estates clients on a wide range of contentious matters which can arise from running a landed estate, from property and commercial disputes, to private wealth disputes.
We act for clients on a wide range of matters, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases at all values, new build purchases, re-mortgages, buy-to-let investments, declarations of trust, transfers of equity, first registrations, title splits, lease renewals/extensions and deeds of easement and variation. Our Team can also assist with Building Safety Act (BSA) matters. We act for many clients in personal and business capacities.
Our personal and pragmatic approach means that we are able to ensure every transaction is as seamless and efficient as possible. Our Team prides themselves on being approachable points of contact, providing support through every stage of a transaction. Our strong relationships with agents and brokers across the sector means we can adopt a collaborative approach to reach a successful completion.
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What our clients say
I had Probate work carried out for me by Jordan Walker, and I would like to say how pleased I have been with the prompt and efficient service received. Jordan made the whole process very clear from the beginning and in doing so relieved a lot of the pressure at a difficult time. I would highly commend her work.
Leathes Prior helped me with my mother's estate, private etc and also to sell a house. I found them easy to deal with and would recommend them.
I just want to thank you again for all your help sorting out my brother's estate. Not a joyful time for me, however you have taken care of his wishes, and I truly appreciate that. Many thanks for all that you have done.
Thank you and all the staff at Leathes Prior, for all the excellent work they done for me sorting out Hazel's estate. It would have been impossible for me to do. Thank you and the staff extremely.
Thank you for all you have done to help me throughout this year and last year. Your professionalism and swift action has made a very difficult time much easier to manage.
Pat completed probate for us, and was fantastic. It wasn't an easy one as there were some complicated elements that come to light along the way, but throughout he was communicative, and efficient in getting the process completed. He was also extremely thorough throughout the whole process. I cannot recommend highly enough.
Dealing with the death of a loved one and organising distribution of their estate is not an easy process. It can be time consuming and there are many avenues to explore and deal with. There may be pitfalls on the way and hurdles to negotiate but I can recommend Leathes Prior, particularly Pat and Billy and not forgetting Beth and Hannah who dealt with all aspects of my mother’s estate with the utmost care and consideration in a very professional and exemplary manner. Five stars and a ten out of ten rating are completely justified.
Billy Coughlin dealt with the administration of my late Mother’s Estate; not a large Estate but for me as sole executor it would have been most stressful. From the initial contact with Billy, I felt supported. Everything was completed timely and I was kept updated at every stage of the process. I very much appreciate Billy’s professionalism and kindness. Perfect service and I would highly recommend him.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
