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When I joined Michelmores in September 2025, my legal experience was limited to university pro-bono schemes and I didn’t have any personal connections in the profession. So, when I first received the seat list, I wasn’t entirely sure what each seat would entail. I had covered areas such as family and employment law during my LLM, but Private Property and Landed Estates (PPLE) was not something I had come across before!
I quickly discovered that the work was much broader than I originally thought, with plenty of opportunities to collaborate across teams and attend a variety of networking events.
What does PPLE involve?
PPLE can be broadly split into three main sectors:
- High value residential, which involves the buying and selling of large properties, often for well-known individuals;
- Agricultural land, which covers farmland and associated issues such as residential properties, farm business tenancies, employment contracts and grazing licences; and
- Restructuring, which often involves trusts, and the redistribution of property within families for tax purposes.
While the work can be broadly split into these sectors, there is plenty of overlap, with large country houses often coming with farmland and so on. Each broad sector presents a range of challenges, and I feel I have gained a ‘three-in-one’ seat that has broadened my exposure and understanding of the practice area.
Trainee tasks
My day-to-day work in PPLE is incredibly varied offering a mix of drafting, problem-solving, and building client relationships. Some of the key tasks I have been involved with include:
- Preparing Reports on Title when we act for a buyer. These reports pull together information from the title, the searches and responses provided by the seller and present it in clear, client-friendly language to ensure they have everything they need before exchange.
- Using the Land Registry portal, including for reviewing and downloading titles, submitting applications, and checking registrations.
- Preparing enquiries and replies to enquiries which can involve reviewing planning permissions, creating schedules, obtaining indemnity insurance and providing further supporting documents.
Beyond this, I’ve been involved in lease reviews, drafting contracts and transfers, and preparing deeds of covenant. My role often includes direct client contact, whether by email, answering queries, or attending client meetings and taking attendance notes. The variety of work has given me exposure to both technical drafting and client-facing responsibilities, which has been invaluable for my development.
Key highlights
My top three highlights from PPLE so far are:
1. High value properties = complex matters
Given the high value of the properties and landed estates we deal with, there are often complex legal issues involved. Many of the properties are listed buildings, have employees and sometimes even require occupancy licences. We also have several international clients, which means that we work closely with TTS particularly in relation to UK residency and the tax implications this may have on a sale or purchase in the UK.
2. Networking opportunities
Within my first week of joining the team, I had the opportunity to attend our Cheltenham Summer Bowls event with our industry contacts in Cheltenham. Since then, I have also attended our US/UK Buying and Selling Property Event and a NextGen Rural Land event. These events have allowed me to broaden my network and build valuable relationships with professionals across the property and rural land sectors.
3. Supportive environment
The people in my team have been a real highlight for me, and I couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming team for my first seat. I quickly felt very comfortable and learnt that no question is a stupid question! While I have been given responsibility and encouraged to complete tasks independently, I know that the support is always there if I need it. This balance has allowed me to grow my confidence and strengthen my problem-solving skills.