Knights Solicitors is pleased to announce that, on 1 February 2010, Graham Dorman became a Partner in the firm.

Graham's expertise is in transactional property work - both in relation to freehold and leasehold property.

For his professional background, see Graham's profile.

Partner Michael McNally will be speaking on "Animals and Accidents" with Giles Mooney of 9 Gough Square at Butterworths 2nd Agricultural Law Conference on 22 February 2010.

Please use this link to download the full conference speaker list and booking details.

Knights Solicitors Partner James Pavey chaired a panel of experts, each advocating land law reform in the rural sector, at Portcullis House, Westminster. The panel comprised:

• Christopher Price, Chief Legal Adviser and Head of Policy Services
• James Paice MP, Shadow Minister for Agriculture
• Robert Fookes, Barrister Francis Taylor Building
• Edward Faulkner, former President of the RICS"

The Solicitors Journal has featured partner Michael McNally in an article on the state of the legal market in the south-east of England. In the article [link], Michael comments on the nature of the firm's practice and how it has helped it to weather the economic downturn since 2007.

23-27 September 2009

Knights is contributing through the Agricultural Law Association to the UK’s submissions to the XXV European Congress and Colloquium of Agricultural Law, which is to take place on 23- 26 September 2009 see this link for more information.

Matthew Knight is collaborating with a number of other experts in agricultural law to produce the UK’s submission on legal incentives and legal obstacles to farm diversification.

Please follow the links below in relation to the Court of Appeal’s judgement this case. Knights acted for the successful local authorities – Breckland Council, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and South Norfolk District Council:

• BBC
• Diss Express

Please follow these links to see reporting of this test case on the interpretation of the Hunting Act 2004, in which Knights acted for Tony Wright, whose acquittal was upheld:

• BBC
• Daily Telegraph
• Horse & Hound
• The Times
• The Times Law Reports

Knights Partner James Pavey chaired a panel of leading industry experts including Jim Paice MP, Shadow Minister for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ian Cullen, founding partner of IPD to discuss the future of investment in rural land held at Portcullis House, Westminster: more information.

Please follow these links to see the Times and Daily Telegraph's reporting of the case:

• The Times
• The Daily Telegraph

Winchester College and Humphrey Feeds Ltd, represented by Knights, have won an appeal at the Court of Appeal in which they have sought to protect Twyford Down from damage by off-roaders.

Winchester College owns the land at Twyford Down where Hockley Golf Club is based. Humphrey Feeds Ltd is a local animal feed producer, which owns neighbouring farm land. Both were concerned that Hampshire County Council’s Order to recognise vehicular rights on a byway over the Down would lead to significant local environmental damage. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment that has nationwide implications, has said that the vehicular rights at Twyford were extinguished by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.