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Rachel O’Connor

Partner

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  • Rachel O’Connor
Solicitor – Admitted 2010
Contact
+44 (0) 333 004 3456
+44 (0) 752 559 3224
rachel.o'connor@michelmores.com
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Rachel O’Connor is an excellent communicator. She goes the extra mile and cares.

Chambers UK 2026

It’s great to have someone from an agricultural background. Rachel is passionate about the sector and very knowledgeable, but able to put it across in a way that is easily understood.

Chambers UK 2026

Rachel has been a very strong and professional operator for our clients. Value and top-quality service are what Rachel is all about. She is polite, firm but fair, and has a wealth of experience.

Chambers UK 2025

Rachel has got a good reputation; she has made a name in things like bug farming and newer markets. Colleagues of mine who have worked with her rate her highly.

Client

Overview

I am a Partner in the Agriculture team. I advise on a broad spectrum of rural matters including property disputes, partnership disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, professional negligence, and contractual disputes.

My expertise includes Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancies; in particular, I advise and act in connection with succession matters.

I also have a focus on regenerative agriculture and technology and innovation which aims to tackle food security issues and the environmental impact of our food production.

In recognition of my contribution to and spearheading of the Michelmores’ Sustainable Agriculture practice, I was named in The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2020. My fascination with how insects could provide many of the solutions to the challenges in our food system has led to the development of a niche expertise in the law relating to insects as feed and food. I am one of the very few legal experts in this area and I led the team at Michelmores that advised on the legislative aspects of the WWF Roadmap to Accelerating Insect Protein in UK Feeds The future of feed July 2021.pdf (wwf.org.uk)

I am very privileged to form part of the organising panel for the UK’s annual Insects as Food and Feed Conference, in association with the Royal Entomological Society and ADAS.

I am a member of the Agricultural Law Association and the Property Litigation Association, and regularly lecture on agricultural and environmental issues.

  • Agriculture
  • Natural Capital
  • Natural Capital for Development
  • Natural Capital for Funders & Investors
  • Natural Capital for Land Managers
  • Professional Negligence
  • Sustainable Agriculture & Agri-Tech
  • Sustainable Economy

Recent experience

Acting in proceedings in respect of a complex case concerning a partnership dispute and a claim in proprietary estoppel

Acting in respect of a contested succession application under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986

Advising on the regulations governing the use of insect protein in animal feed

Acting in respect of a professional negligence claim concerning contaminated land

Advising in connection with obtaining possession of land tenanted under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 for development and related access issues

Rachel O'ConnorChambers Logo

Notable Junior lawyer and Rising Star – sustainable agriculture specialist Rachel O’Connor.

Legal 500 2021

A real star in the making. Incredibly hard-working, absolutely great with clients and wonderful to work with as counsel.

Legal 500

Contributions

View More
Insight
Succession Applications: What makes a ‘suitable’ applicant?
News
Royal Entomological Society Insects as Food and Feed 2025 Conference explores sustainable protein innovation at University of Roehampton
News
Insects as Food and Feed 2025: Exploring sustainable protein innovation at University of Roehampton
Podcast
Succession Planning: a cautionary tale from the litigators
Podcast
Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 Tenancies: retirement successions
Podcast
Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 Tenancies: changes to the succession rules
Podcast
Marine Net Gain and the Blue Economy
Insight
Regulating the marine environment in England and Wales: How do we currently protect our marine habitats?
Insight
Marine Net Gain - The Commercial Opportunity
Insight
Marine Net Gain - The DEFRA Consultation
Insight
Seaweed Farming - An interview with Mollie Gupta at WWF
Publication
The Blue Economy | World Seagrass Day
News
Michelmores' celebrates 68 rankings in the Legal 500 2024
Insight
Insect Protein: Solutions and opportunities
Podcast
Insect Protein: Solutions and opportunities
Insight
Insect Protein for Animal Feed
News
Michelmores joins Bristol's Week of Sustainability with its Sustainable Agriculture Conference
News
Michelmores supports Insects as Food and Feed Conference 2022
News
Michelmores provides legal guidance to the UK's first report on the future of feed: a WWF roadmap to accelerating insect protein in animal feed
News
Michelmores discusses Post-Brexit Policy and Legislation at the 2021 Insects as Food and Feed (IAFF) Conference
News
European Food Safety Authority gives first Novel Food go-ahead for insects – can the UK keep up?
Insight
Sustainable agriculture after the pandemic: what does a green recovery mean for farming?
Insight
Family Farming Succession – What role will it play in the agricultural transition?
Insight
Is Insect Farming the answer to Food Security?
News
Feeding the future? Michelmores contributes specialist expertise to landmark WWF and Tesco insect protein roadmap.
Publication
Insect farming - achieving a sustainable food cycle
News
Michelmores' Senior Associate Rachel O'Connor named in Hot 100 listing
Insight
Insect meal in aquaculture – a move towards sustainable protein in animal feed?
Insight
Proprietary estoppel: Moore developments
News
Michelmores demonstrates continued success in latest Legal 500 rankings
Insight
Family partnerships: two High Court decisions
Insight
Insect meal as an alternative source of protein in animal feed

Contact us

+44 (0) 333 004 3456

enquiries@michelmores.com

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