Legal Rankings

Legal 500

Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate – Tier 1

Leading Individual: James Skellorn
Rising Star: Ann-Marie Matthews

Key Lawyers: James Skellorn, Nick Palmer, Ann-Marie Matthews, Rebecca Dixon

Legal 500: “The private client practice at Barker Gotelee in Ipswich handles wills, tax planning, estate administration and capacity issues, as well as contentious matters, principally for family and farming business across Suffolk. It also acts for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals in the county. The firm is ‘easy to engage with and understands well the client’s situation.’ Partners James Skellorn and Nick Palmer, and associate Ann-Marie Matthews are the key practitioners to note. They, and associate Rebecca Dixon are noted for their ‘polite and courteous manner‘.”

Agriculture & Estates – Tier 2

Rising Star: Mark Wrinch

Key Lawyers: Andrew Nicholson, Mark Wrinch, Miles Coates

Legal 500 says: Barker Gotelee in Ipswich handles large agricultural matters in East Anglia, combining property, tax and trusts advice to service farming families across the region. The firm draws heavily on the strength of its private client practice, but lead partner Andrew Nicholson has 25 years’ experience in agricultural law and property transactions. His work includes the sale of land for residential development. Property litigator Mark Wrinch, who joined from Birkett Long LLP, and property-focused associate Miles Coates are also recommended.

Insolvency & Corporate Recovery – Tier 2

Leading Individual: John Bradshaw
Rising Star: Sarah Mower

Key Lawyers: Dermott Thomas, Clare Richards, Sarah Mower

Legal 500 says: “Barker Gotelee in Ipswich handles varied and high-quality instructions from numerous Insolvency Practitioners from East Anglia, London and nationwide, as well as handling work for private individuals. From highly technical insolvency issues faced by IPs to the sale and purchase of the assets of insolvent entities, the firm covers every aspect of business recovery. John Bradshaw leads the practice, supported by litigator Dermott Thomas and corporate partner Clare Richards. Clients remark that the team ‘goes above and beyond to help their clients and provide the correct advice’. Legal executive Sarah Mower is also a respected practitioner.

Commercial Property – Tier 3

Key Lawyers: Andrew Nicholson, Christopher Green, Luke Cain and Oliver Ray

Legal 500 says: “Barker Gotelee has continued to expand its commercial property team, which is highly regarded for development and option agreements, site assembly and plot sales. The firm is also involved in matters arising from the transmission of electricity generated offshore to the National Grid, secured lending, landlord and tenant work, and the property aspects of corporate transactions and insolvency. Partners Andrew Nicholson and Christopher Green, and associates Oliver Ray and Luke Cain are the names to note.”

Contentious Trusts and Probate – Tier 3

Key Lawyers: James Skellorn and Katie Emerson

Legal 500 says: “‘The team ethos is good and you are reassured that whoever you speak to in the team they are knowledgeable and helpful,‘ says a client of Barker Gotelee which joins the ranking this year. Associate Katie Emerson, who joined in 2019 from Withers LLP, is key in the practice, which handles claims relating to the validity, construction and rectification of wills and trusts; Inheritance Act claims; claims for the removal of executors/trustees; and proprietary estoppel claims. Private client partner James Skellorn heads up the practice.”

Corporate and Commercial – Tier 3

Key Lawyers: Clare Richards

Legal 500 says: “Barker Gotelee provides ‘superb support, offered in a way which is easy to understand, cutting out jargon‘. The firm, which joins the ranking this year, focuses on privately-owned companies operating in the East Anglian rural economy. Many of its clients operate in the agricultural, manufacturing and haulage sectors, though the firm is building more client relationships in the technology and creative industries. Clare Richards leads a practice that is ‘highly competent, knowledgeable, professional and diligent‘.”

Property Litigation – Tier 3

Rising Star: Mark Wrinch

Key Lawyers: Mark Wrinch, Dermott Thomas, John Bradshaw and Clare Richards

Legal 500 says: “Barker Gotelee joins the ranking this year. The firm has a well constructed team of professionals advising on all aspects of property litigation with a clear understanding of clients’ requirements. The firm deals with the full range of individual and business-related property disputes, including property-related professional negligence, and has a prominent presence in insolvency-related property matters. Head of litigation Dermott Thomas, head of insolvency John Bradshaw and head of corporate Clare Richards oversee the practice, in which ‘unfailingly positive’ associate Mark Wrinch is highly recommended.”

Family – Tier 4

Key Lawyers: Rory O’Brien and Amanda Erskine

Legal 500 says: “Barker Gotelee joins the ranking this year having launched its family law practice in Ipswich with the hire of divorce solicitor Rory O’Brien from Lightfoot O’Brien. With 30 years’ experience, O’Brien has a busy domestic caseload, though he also handles expatriate divorce matters, advising British clients based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. He is supported by family law associate Amanda Erskine and by experienced partners in the corporate, tax, trusts and property practices.”

Chambers and Partners

Agriculture and Rural Affairs – Band 2

Senior Statespeople: Toby Pound

Ranked Lawyers: Andrew Nicholson – Band 1

Chambers says: “Acts for clients on the sale and purchase of farms and estates, tenancy issues and diversification projects. Advises a range of clients, including farmers, landowners and charitable trusts. Also assists with the establishment of farming partnerships.”
“The team is always very efficient and gives good advice.”
“Courteous, well-mannered and sharp-brained professionals.”

Insolvency and Business Recovery

Ranked Lawyers: John Bradshaw – Band 1