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Neal Patterson

Partner

Neal specialises in non-contentious property matters for agricultural clients.

"I can recommend Neal. We are currently working on some complicated matters and Neal's depth of knowledge and advice is excellent."

Ian Large Partner and Head of Rural

   

      

Experiences

  • Selling a part of a farm on several different land titles and dealing with a surrender of part of an FBT to enable a purchaser to take vacant possession.
  • Acting for various lenders in taking charges over properties including acting for a private bank in dealing with a charge in excess of £3miilion over an estate.
  • Dealing with Deeds of Easements and Deeds of Variations including for rights of way and services.
  • Preparing and advising on commercial leases for both Landlord and Tenant clients.

Career

Originally from Northern Ireland, Neal was brought up in the same small rural community as Harry Ferguson, the tractor magnate. Spare time was spent helping friends on their farms with cattle, sheep, and general farm labouring.

He studied Modern History (M.A. (Hons) 1996) and Law (accelerated LL.B. England and Wales qualifying degree 1999) at the University of Dundee.  He then completed his Legal Practice Course at De Montfort University in Leicester.

Following completion of his training contract Neal qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and has worked for high street and larger independent legal practices dealing in high-net-worth residential property and agricultural property.

In 2011 Neal took a position as an in-house solicitor for a national charity where he looked after their property portfolio and advised on their corporate trust holding body and the various property trusts which they managed.

Neal was lured back to private practice in 2019 with the opportunity to return to working in agriculture, first with an NFU Panel firm and then for a substantial national law firm in their Landed Estates and Agriculture team.

In November 2022, Neal was selected to attend the Worshipful Company of Farmers Advanced Course in Agricultural Business Management at the Royal Agricultural University. He was admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers in October 2023.

Neal joined Wright Hassall LLP as a partner in the Farms and Rural Estates team in April 2023.

 

Memberships

  • Agricultural Law Association
  • Worshipful Company of Farmers Alumni Association
  • Country Landowners Association (CLA) Leicestershire Branch Committee
  • Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers

Interests

Outside work Neal is active in his local rugby club as a player for the veteran’s team and coach for a Sunday morning children’s team. He is also involved in The Wooden Spoon Society, the Children’s Charity of Rugby.

When not involved in rugby Neal is a runner and has competed in various 10K’s, Half Marathons and even one triathlon.

When he does sit still Neal likes to read history, biography or farming books. He has a passion for Irish History, polar exploration and food and environmental popular science. 

Neal is an associate member of the Belted Galloway Cattle Society and a member of The Ferguson Society. He dreams of one day owning his own TE20.

"They are dominating the Warwickshire marketplace," notes a source, adding: "I have a huge amount of respect for them: they're technically excellent lawyers."

Chambers UK

Meet the team

Katie Alsop - Will Disputes Lawyer
Katie Alsop Partner & Head of Disputes Group
Alex Robinson Partner - Head of Agriculture
Tasfia Tahsin - Solicitor - Family Law
Tasfia Tahsin Solicitor