Partner

Clive Phillips

Clive heads the rural business and natural capital team at Brodies and acts for a wide range of landed estates and farming clients. Clive acts regularly for offshore clients with rural property in Scotland, as well as for a very active domestic client base. He has an in-depth knowledge of the rural sector as an accredited specialist in agricultural law, and as a family farm business owner.

Clive is frequently instructed on diversification projects, such as wind farms, anaerobic digester and solar farm projects. He has a particular interest in new business structures in commercial agriculture and has been instigative in the promotion of share farming and joint venture arrangements to the sector.

Understanding the interaction of land ownership, rural business and succession enables Clive to advise effectively on structuring farming rural businesses in order to provide strategic succession planning advice. Clive is regularly instructed to troubleshoot disputed agricultural holdings and other contentious situations in the rural sector.

Living Brodies' values

He has a great depth of knowledge of rural law. He is one of the most experienced in the profession, and clients appreciate his collaborative and thorough approach.

Highlights

Leads a team that has delivered some of the highest value estate transactions in recent years.
Sits on various sector/industry bodies and boards of directors and is highly valued for his contribution.
Owns a family farm which gives him deep personal insight in the sector.

Rankings

Ranked as a Band 1 individual by Chambers UK 2025, leading a Band 1 team.
Ranked in the Hall of Fame in Agriculture & Estates by Legal 500 UK 2025 leading a tier 1 team.
Accredited as a specialist in agricultural law by the Law Society of Scotland.

"Clive is well recognised and respected."

Chambers UK 2025

"Clive Phillips is an experienced and practical adviser with a good understanding of key issues and commercial outcomes."

Legal 500 UK 2024

"A large team dedicated to rural estates and farms with considerable knowledge in this niche sector. Clive Phillips is both a solicitor and a farmer, so has first hand experience in the practicalities of rural work as well as the legal."

Legal 500 2023