We posed a number of questions to get to know newly promoted land and rural business partner Kate McLeish.
What made you first get into rural law?
I grew up in a farm in Dumfries & Galloway, so was always interested in agriculture and land management. I was lucky enough to spend the majority of my traineeship doing rural property, so by the time I was ready to qualify, I knew that was the area I wanted to specialise in.
What aspect of working in rural law do you find the most rewarding?
I like the technical aspects of agricultural holdings work. I also enjoy transactional work where everyone is working towards the same outcome and there is a big sense of achievement when the transaction completes.
However, as with most jobs, the most rewarding part is dealing with the people - we are lucky in rural property that we get to build a relationship with long standing clients such as estates, understand the drivers behind their decisions and hopefully play a role in growing and strengthening their businesses.
What do you think is the main challenge that clients face in a rural context?
I think a consistent challenge for rural clients is keeping up to date with legislative reform – private residential tenancies, health and safety, agricultural holdings, access rights, protection of wildlife – the legal framework that our clients are operating in is changing constantly and it has a direct impact on both day to day and long term decisions.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
At the moment, I am enjoying just being outside when I am not at my desk – gardening (though I don’t really have any gardening knowledge or skills, so really that just means drinking my coffee in the garden rather than in the house), playing with the dogs and trying to look useful on the farm.
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