Agriculture
Many law firms claim to offer an agricultural service to their clients, but few genuinely understand the pressures and realities of farming life in the UK. Many of the solicitors in the firm are from farming families and know only too well the thin line that agricultural clients increasingly tread between farming success and failure.
We are passionate about our farming clients and their businesses and offer a wide range of services, based around agriculture, estate planning and farm diversification.
Our farming services include:
Estate Administration
To speak to a member of our team simply complete an enquiry form or call 01633 413500.
Client Feedback
"‘Exemplary’ team head Sioned Thomas is a standout and receives both direct instructions from high-net-worth landowners, as well as from professional services entities in a referral capacity." (Legal 500 2024)
"A very solid, knowledgeable and professional agricultural team which can communicate advice and guidance to us in a clear patient manner."
"Highly responsive, proactive and detail-oriented."
We are legal partners to The Farmers Union Wales. Members of FUW can receive a free 30 minute consultation and 10% off fees.
Latest News
Meet the Team
Sioned Thomas
Partner
Email: Click Here
Sioned is listed as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 and ranked in the Chambers & Partners for her Agriculture work.
Testimonials:
"Always an outstanding service"
"Sioned has become more of a family friend than just our solicitor. Her knowledge and her ability to share it in simple terms are excellent." Chambers & Partners, 2024
"Sioned has vast knowledge and is extremely efficient." Chambers & Partners, 2024
"Warm and friendly team head Sioned Thomas is an 'expert in her field', and is particularly skilled at advising clients with significant business and/or agricultural assets, which she is able to do so through the medium of Welsh, if required." Legal 500, 2024
"Particularly well-versed at advising on estate administration and succession planning" Legal 500, 2024
"Very proactive." Legal 500, 2022
"Sioned Thomas has always been very easy to approach and has shown us a great deal of patience." Legal 500, 2021, client testimonial
"Thorough and approachable." Legal 500, 2021
"Very detailed, meticulous and knowledgeable." Chambers & Partners
"Professional, very approachable and efficient." Chambers & Partners
“Provides a highly personal service and always strives to understand the detailed background to all the issues.” Legal 500
“Provides a first-class service when dealing with rural matters.” Legal 500
Sioned Thomas
Partner
Sioned is head of RDP’s Private Client and Agricultural teams.
Private Client:
Sioned deals with succession planning for high-net-worth clients, including advising on wills and setting up and administering trusts.
She deals with complex estate administration, with a particular focus on the agricultural sector.
She also deals with lasting powers of attorney and deputyship applications.
Charities:
Sioned is well-versed in setting up new charities, and advising existing charities on matters such as sale and purchase of land and legacy management.
Agriculture:
Sioned deals with acquisition, sales and refinancing of farms and farmland, farm business tenancies and partnership agreements and, because of her private client experience, is able to take a holistic approach to farm succession planning and the impact of changes to the future of the farming business.
Sioned is STEP-qualified and a fluent Welsh speaker.
- Dealing with an application for succession tenancy under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986
- Purchase of 200-acre land holding in South wales with complex access and easement provisions
- Acting in the administration of an estate of clients with various land holdings and business assets with successful agricultural relief claim
- Sale of various barns forming part of a large farm holding for development
- Sale of 100-acre farm with listed farmhouse and buildings
- Succession planning for farming family who had diversified to include partnership agreements, farm business tenancies, shareholders agreements, wills, lasting powers of attorney and sale of property
Adrienne Brigden
Associate Solicitor
Email: Click Here
Testimonials:
"Throughout my career I have only met a handful of people who stand out from the rest and make a difference with ease. You are one of them."
"We were very happy with the efficient and professional service"
Adrienne Brigden
Associate Solicitor
Adrienne is an associate solicitor in RDP’s Real Estate team.
Adrienne first joined RDP as a paralegal in 2018; she then progressed to trainee solicitor in 2019 before qualifying in October 2021. Adrienne was promoted to an associate in April 2024.
Adrienne currently works on commercial leases and real estate financing, in addition to commercial and agricultural acquisitions and disposals.
James Davies
Director
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James is recommended by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a real estate lawyer, one of only two lawyers in Wales outside of Cardiff to be so listed. He is also recommended by the Legal 500 for his work as an agricultural lawyer.
Testimonials:
"James Davies is an excellent lawyer to work with on all property transactions. He is always prepared to consider input from the client in the drafting stage if required or if he feels appropriate." Chambers & Partners, 2024
"James Davies is a commercially astute, practical and very responsive lawyer who is a pleasure to work with." Chambers & Partners, 2024
"Talented, knowledgeable and commercially savvy" Legal 500, 2024
"Great deal making smarts" Legal 500, 2023
"Exceptional." Legal 500, 2022
"James Davies has been excellent, especially in relation to development land related matters. He is always responsive and communicative, with superb attention to detail and practical legal advice to reassure clients and fellow professionals." Legal 500, 2021
"Excels in handling commercial real estate work for developers." Legal 500, 2020
In 2018 James was shortlisted for a Law Society Award for Excellence in Practice Management. He also spoke at the 2019 Lexcel Conference on the subject of legal practice management.
James Davies
Director
James is head of RDP’s Real Estate team.
He practices in all areas of commercial real estate but with a particular focus on three core areas:
Development:
James acts for both landowners and developers on the acquisition, sale and strategic assembly of development land. He also advises developers on planning / infrastructure agreements and site assembly.
James’s experience covers both commercial and residential land and ranges from smaller schemes to those spread over large acreages, often with multiple landowners.
He also advises on more complex development joint venture agreements, forward funding agreements and forward purchase agreements.
Renewable energy:
James acts for landowners on all kinds of renewable energy schemes. He has experience of wind, solar, biomass and tidal development projects across the country.
He is particularly experienced in complex schemes spread over multiple land holdings.
Portfolio strategy and management:
James advises clients with large land holdings on the administration of their portfolios. This includes day-to-day management (which often revolves around landlord and tenant law) but also on more strategic mid-to-long-term advice.
Coming soon...
New phosphate guidance in Wales - a red flag for developers
Use it or lose it - 'Right to Regenerate' consultation issued by Housing Secretary
Freezer clauses in options - landowner's guide
Planning Agreements Explained...
Minimum Energy Efficient Standard - A Guide for Landlords
Robert Davies MBE
Chairman
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Robert Davies MBE
Chairman
Robert is the chairman of RDP Law. He has practised in South East Wales since 1974, and has connections across the commercial sector and throughout the agricultural community.
He practises company and commercial law and also works closely with Sioned Thomas in RDP’s agricultural department.
Robert has particular expertise in commercial and residential property development and is regularly instructed in relation to some of South Wales’ larger and more interesting development proposals.
In 2007 Robert was appointed MBE for his contribution to legal services in South East Wales.
Sarah Porter
Partner
Email: Click Here
Testimonials:
"The Litigation Team at RDP Law quickly analysed the pros and cons of my complex boundary dispute and implemented a route through to a very successful and just conclusion."
"Just a card to thank you very gratefully for your professional help and personal support during the past two months."
Sarah is a member of the Agricultural Law Association
Sarah is Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at RDP.
She qualified in 2008 and has almost 15 years’ experience working in dispute resolution. She has been involved in a variety of types of litigation matter, both for private individuals and commercial clients, including:
- Consumer disputes, breach of contracts etc.
- Contentious probate
- Negligence claims
Sarah specialises in property litigation, with a focus on boundary disputes, trespass claims, rights of way, restrictive covenants, and adverse possession. She also has significant experience in dealing with both private and commercial, landlord and tenant disputes.
Sarah was a Board Member of the Wales and West Housing Association for a number of years using her legal knowledge and experience to help the board in its decision-making.
Sarah is also a qualified mediator, having trained with the London School of Mediation. As well as being a member of the Agricultural Law Association, the UK’s largest inter-professional organisation dedicated to the law and business of the countryside.
