• Agriculture & Rural Affairs (litigation) – leading firm
• Crime – leading firm

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Chambers Commentary — Agriculture & Rural Affairs

The Firm: Knights is the leading firm for agricultural litigation in the South. Over the past year it witnessed an uptake in public rights of way instructions, in which the department acted chiefly for the landowner. These cases range from the opposition to applications to add footpaths to the ‘Definitive Map’, to advising on schemes for diversion and lobbying for Traffic Regulation Orders along the South Downs Way. The firm is expanding its expertise, advising on environmental and animal welfare issues, and is proving particularly adept at handling the press and media in adverse circumstances. It is also dealing with a growing body of non-contentious work mainly involving assisting buyers on the purchase of farm estates and woodlands.
The Lawyers: “Highly respected” litigator Matthew Knight heads the department. He acts for a substantial number of farmers on public and private law litigation matters ranging from water abstraction to animal welfare and wrongful occupation. He is recognised as a “forceful and affable character,” who “will pick things up at short notice and sprint with them ” James Pavey is “well known” in the region for his expertise on rights of way issues and property litigation. Peers single out his ability to “cut to the relevant details.&rdquo/; In 2006 he was appointed a member of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants and he is a recognised authority on the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. Michael McNally provides specialist advice on Land Registry mapping procedures, and recently acted on a rectification of title application following a Land Registry mapping error.
Clients/Work Highlights: The firm represented claimant farmers in a breach of contract claim concerning the supply of defective agricultural machinery. It also defended a cattle-selling business against allegations by the Trading Standards Department that cattle sold did not match their passports. This case resulted in a successful resolution with 90% of the costs recouped.

Chambers Commentary — Crime
The Firm: This firm’s remit covers countryside and country sports issues. It handles a mix of white-collar crime and regulatory work, with an emphasis on environmental and animal welfare issues. Its workload also includes actual bodily harm and criminal damage, and the team has acted on a series of cases arising from the Hunting Act 2004. Clients include companies and private individuals, especially landowners. Jeffery Hide and Matthew Knight are any one of the go-to names here.