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New rural land and estates head at Ward Hadaway

LAW firm Ward Hadaway has appointed a new head of its specialist rural land and estates team.

Stefan Bainbridge

Stefan Bainbridge

Stefan Bainbridge (pictured) joins the UK Top 100 law firm as a Partner after more than 15 years’ specialist experience advising on all aspects of rural property and countryside issues.

He has acted in connection with the sale and purchase of numerous estates, farms and rural investment portfolios and has undertaken the first registration of large estates on behalf of landowners encompassing both their surface and mineral interests.

Stefan has extensive experience in relation to the exploitation of mineral reserves, having acted for mineral owners in negotiating prospecting and option agreements and the grant of leases of mines and minerals.

He has a particular expertise in advising on opencast coal mines and sand and gravel quarries, as well as a wide experience of renewable energy projects, acting for landowning clients in relation to Solar PV agreements and on anaerobic digestion projects.

Stefan deals with complex agricultural landlord and tenant issues and has a detailed understanding of the agricultural tenancy legislation.

He has also acted for landowners in negotiating complex option and planning promotion agreements and conditional contracts on the sale of agricultural land for development.

Speaking about his appointment at Ward Hadaway, Stefan said: “As someone who has worked in the region for many years, I know all about the firm so I am delighted to be joining such a well-established and well-respected practice.

“Ward Hadaway acts for some of the leading landowners across the North, as well as a raft of farming and agricultural businesses, so I know I am in very good company with my new colleagues in the countryside team.

“I am really looking forward to working with them and with colleagues from across the firm.”

Neil Robson, Partner and Head of Property at Ward Hadaway, said: “It is terrific that we have managed to secure the services of such an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer.

“Stefan’s expertise not just in property matters but also wider issues such as mining and mineral rights makes him the ideal person to head up our countryside team.

“Increasing diversification and the changing nature of the rural economy mean that landowners, farmers and other agricultural businesses need to address a widening sphere of issues and Stefan’s recruitment means we are ideally placed to do that for our growing list of clients.”

Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.

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