Erica Williams

Overview

I’m a Senior Associate in Michelmores’ Agricultural team.

I have a wide client base of farming businesses, land owners, estates, sole traders, tenant farmers, local authorities, charities and trusts.

I advise on a range of contentious and non-contentious agricultural matters, including Landlord and Tenant, farm partnership disputes, boundary and rights of way disputes, possession claims, and trust disputes including claims relating to co-ownership.

In addition to litigation matters, I am also regularly instructed on non-contentious agricultural matters. I have experience in advising upon and drafting various documents relating to business structures and farm lettings. I have a particular interest in recovering/ retaining possession of agricultural land when required for non-agricultural use and have worked for a number of high profile clients advising on these issues.#

I am passionate about the sector and the environment. I previously co-ordinated and lectured at Cardiff University on a number of undergraduate and post-graduate study schemes on the subject of Environmental Law. I have also lectured to the Rural Land and Business Management Students at Reading University and to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.

I’ve specialised in agriculture throughout my career (including during my training contract) and have been part of the team at Michelmores for nearly six years.

Recent experience

Advising and acting in High Court proceedings in relation to a number of partnership disputes and proprietary estoppel claims

Acting for various beneficiaries in a Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) for the partition of various freehold and leasehold interests

Advising a Landlord as to how to obtain possession under the provisions of a Case B Notice to Quit

Acting for various Applicants in the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in respect of claims for adverse possession

Acting in a number of arbitrations pursuant to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, including acting for a tenant challenging various notices including a Notice to Remedy and the validity and effectiveness of Case E Notice to Quit

Advising in respect of succession applications and succession planning under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.