Podcasts from HCR

In this episode of Family Matters, Christopher Finch is joined by James Osborne, Head of Family in HCR Law’s Birmingham office, to discuss conduct in financial remedy proceedings.

Conduct is often raised when emotions are running high during divorce, but the court will only take it into account in limited circumstances. Chris and James explore what conduct means in a financial remedy context, how the move to no-fault divorce has affected the way these issues arise, and why there needs to be a clear financial consequence before conduct is likely to influence the outcome.

The episode looks at examples including reckless spending, failure to disclose assets, litigation misconduct and serious behaviour with a direct impact on one party’s financial position. It also explains the importance of raising conduct properly, being transparent with your lawyer, and understanding when an argument is likely to help or hinder settlement.

In a fast-changing world for families and relationships, Family Matters explores the legal and emotional sides of family law, offering expert insight and real-world guidance on everything from divorce and finances to children and co-parenting. Each episode cuts through legal jargon to focus on what really matters to people navigating family change.

Contact our family team here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/family-law/

As the summer holidays approach, this episode of Family Matters focuses on a common issue for separated families: taking children abroad.

Christopher Finch and Hannah Nicholls explore the legal and practical considerations parents need to be aware of before travelling, particularly where a child arrangements order is in place. The discussion explains when consent from the other parent is required, what the law allows, and the potential consequences of not following the correct process.

In a fast-changing world for families and relationships, Family Matters explores the legal and emotional sides of family law, offering expert insight and real-world guidance on everything from divorce and finances to children and co-parenting. Each episode cuts through legal jargon to focus on what really matters to people navigating family change.

Contact our family team here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/family-law/

In this special end-of-series episode, the tables turn: Bryn Thomas, Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team and working farmer, interviews Rory Hutchings, Head of Team and usual host, about our new report: Food for Thought – Shaping sustainable farming futures.

With global events putting supply chains under fresh strain, Rory explains why the report argues British food production has become a matter of national resilience, not convenience – and why food security needs to sit much closer to the heart of policy and investment decisions.

Bryn and Rory discuss the ‘death by a thousand cuts’ many UK farmers are currently experiencing – from policy instability and tax uncertainty to planning friction and regulatory burden – and what that does to confidence, succession and the future pipeline of people coming into farming.

Their conversation draws on insights from report contributors, including Stephen Jacob (labour and skills), Aled Jones (farming’s cultural and economic value), Abi Reader (food production and government policy), Johnny Wake (the lived reality of planning hurdles) and Rory Christie (risk and power imbalance in supply chain contracts).

Download your copy of Food for Thought here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/agriculture-and-estates/food-for-thought-shaping-sustainable-farming-futures/

Talk Farm is HCR’s Agriculture and Estates podcast. It’s rooted in thought leadership and focused on the real-world impacts of change in the rural sector, with practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

Find out more about our Agriculture team and get in touch here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/agriculture-and-estates/

Following International Women’s Day, this episode of Family Matters focuses on an aspect of women’s health that is increasingly discussed, but still widely misunderstood: menopause.

Hannah Nicholls and Amy Walpole are joined by Zoe Lapwood, a registered nurse with over 10 years’ experience specialising in women’s health and a nurse adviser for a national women’s health charity.

The episode explores what menopause and perimenopause are, highlighting the many physical, emotional and psychological symptoms women can experience, often years before menopause itself. Zoe discusses how these changes can affect confidence, communication, intimacy and decision‑making, and how this can place additional strain on relationships, particularly at times of separation or divorce.

The conversation also addresses common myths around menopause, the importance of shifting from seeking a “cure” to effective management, and why awareness and empathy from partners and professionals can make a meaningful difference to women navigating this stage of life.

Connect with Zoe here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-lapwood-80b6a7260/

Contact our family team here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/family-law/

Family businesses are subject to unique pressures, from succession and generational tension to questions about roles, entitlement and leadership.

In this exclusive podcast episode, Peter Brewer, Partner in our Dispute Resolution team, speaks with family business adviser George Bryan to explore how these challenges can escalate into disputes – and how the right structures can reduce this risk.

Together, they discuss the practical steps family-owned businesses can take to protect relationships, value and long term business continuity, with George sharing insight from more than 30 years in his own multigenerational family business, Drayton Manor.

They also cover:

• How succession and family expectations shape conflict

• How family constitutions and shareholders’ agreements can prevent future disputes

• When to professionalise management and bring in external expertise

• The impact of skills gaps and overlooked development opportunities.

To learn more about how our Dispute Resolution team supports family owned businesses, visit the HCR Law website. You can find out more about George’s advisory work and get in touch with him on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Rory Hutchings, Partner and Head of our Agriculture and Estates team, sits down with Robyn Sermon, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia, Dr Bernard Moonga from the University of Zambia and President of the Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia and Will Prichard, Welsh farmer and owner of Natural Wagyu, to explore what the digitalisation of agriculture means for farmers worldwide.

They discuss how digital tools are already boosting efficiency, productivity and yields and how AI, autonomous machinery and data‑driven decision‑making are reshaping day‑to‑day farming across continents.

The panel also address the realities on the ground, including the cost of adopting agriculture technology and the risk of pricing out smaller farms, the skills gap, data‑ownership concerns and the practical challenges of implementing new systems for farmers.

They also discuss:

• How social media and digital storytelling are shifting perceptions of farming careers

• Whether the UK is falling behind on tech adoption

• Why understanding the commercial value of technology is essential before investing

• How collaboration, education and hands‑on support can help farmers decide when and how to embrace innovation.

Drawing on perspectives from Wales, Western Australia and Zambia, Rory and the panel share real‑world insight into how technology is reshaping agriculture today.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode was produced in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth. Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.

In this episode, James Frankland, Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team, sits down with Lisa Millington, Head of Agricultural Private Client, to give you the latest update on the rollercoaster that has been Inheritance Tax reforms for farmers and rural business owners.

James and Lisa begin with the Autumn 2025 budget, unpacking how Rachel Reeves’ announcement lived up to the hopes and fears of the farming community, and in particular the announcement that the relief allowance would be transferrable between spouses after all.

They then move on to the pre-Christmas U-turn, which saw the shock announcement that the £1 million Agricultural and Business Property Relief allowance would be uplifted from £1 million to £2.5 million, creating a potential £5 million relief for married couples.

This shift opens up meaningful estate planning opportunities, particularly for younger farming families looking ahead to future lifetime gifts. They explain how HMRC’s emphasis on “unused” relief interacts with existing spousal exemptions, and what that means in practice.

• Why the change represents a huge improvement — but not a complete solution
• How the U-turn may have been influenced by the Farm Profitability Review
• The types of farming businesses that benefit most (and those still left exposed)
• Real‑world examples of how clients’ inheritance tax positions are shifting
• Why this is about supporting businesses as well as farms

Looking ahead, James and Lisa outline the steps farmers can still take before the rules come into force in April, reflect on rumours of possible delays, and clarify whether existing planning is now redundant (spoiler: it isn’t). They share practical actions — from reviewing structures to considering trusts — and discuss what we may expect from HMRC as implementation unfolds.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Bryn Thomas speaks with Abi Reader, Vice President of NFU Cymru and dairy farmer, as she nears the end of her four-year term and looks ahead to a possible presidency.

Their discussion explores the current state of Welsh farming, including strong beef and lamb prices, challenges for poultry and arable farmers, and key topics such as water quality, TB, inheritance tax, and the sustainable farming scheme.

They also address environmental issues, net zero ambitions, and the challenge of balancing food production with sustainability. Abi highlights her outreach in schools, including ‘Cows on Tour’, the importance of farm safety, and the need for recruitment and skills development to ensure a thriving agricultural sector.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Bryn Thomas speaks with Abi Reader, Vice President of NFU Cymru and dairy farmer, as she nears the end of her four-year term and looks ahead to a possible presidency.

Their discussion explores the current state of Welsh farming, including strong beef and lamb prices, challenges for poultry and arable farmers, and key topics such as water quality, TB, inheritance tax, and the sustainable farming scheme.

They also address environmental issues, net zero ambitions, and the challenge of balancing food production with sustainability. Abi highlights her outreach in schools, including ‘Cows on Tour’, the importance of farm safety, and the need for recruitment and skills development to ensure a thriving agricultural sector.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.

The latest episode of our Agriculture and Estates podcast, Talk Farm, explores one of the most pressing issues facing UK farms today: workforce challenges and immigration compliance.

Co-Host Rory Hutchings is joined by Aled Owen, Partner in our Agriculture and Estates team, and Lynne Adams, Legal Director in our Employment and Immigration team, to unpack a recent case they advised on involving migrant workers and the lessons it offers for the farming community.

The case concerns a leading dairy farm in Wales, known for its high standards in animal welfare, regulatory compliance and progressive waste management. After Brexit, the farm hired migrant workers to address a labour shortage but was later raided by immigration authorities.

This episode covers:

· How the regulator’s intervention unfolded and the employment arguments at the heart of the case

· Why dairy farms have become a focus for enforcement action by immigration authorities

· What farms can do to protect themselves from similar challenges.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert industry commentary and practical guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about HCR Law's services for Agriculture and Estates here.