Podcasts from HCR

Relationship therapist Adele Ballantyne and family mediator Sarah Smith join HCR Law Partner, Hannah Nicholls to explore the challenges of parenting through separation.

They share insights from their work supporting families, discussing mediation, child-inclusive practice, and ongoing family consultancy.

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.

The show is presented by Christopher Finch and Hannah Nicholls, with guests from HCR Law’s Family Law team. If you need advice or support, our team is here to help.

Discover how farmers and communities can reduce staggering levels of UK food waste with special guest Roz Scott from Still Good Food

Did you know that an estimated 3.3 to 3.6 million tonnes of food never leave UK farms each year? Talk Farm returns for a second series, and we’re kicking off by delving into this urgent issue and uncovering how innovative solutions—and passionate people—are tackling the challenge from the ground up.

Join host James Frankland as he sits down with Roz Scott, Gleaning Coordinator at Still Good Food. Roz brings her expertise from the frontlines of the fight against food waste, sharing insights from her work rescuing surplus produce and empowering communities. Discover how her organisation, Still Good Food, is making a real difference by connecting farms, volunteers, and those in need.

This episode includes:

• Behind-the-scenes look at how gleaning is helping UK farmers reduce waste and boost sustainability
• Roz Scott’s journey and the mission of Still Good Food to rescue surplus produce and feed local communities
• Eye-opening statistics: 3.3 to 3.6 million tonnes of food wasted on UK farms every year
• The influence of supermarkets and supply chains in driving farm-level food waste
• Benefits for farmers: cutting costs, building community, and supporting foodbanks
• How listeners can get involved in gleaning and food redistribution in their own areas
• Exploring the history and roots of gleaning in agriculture

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is hosted by members of our Agriculture and Estates team, many of whom are working farmers as well as experts in agricultural law. Learn more about our services for farmers and rural professionals.

In this special episode of Family Matters, Beverley Morris is joined by George Mathieson and Jonathan Galbraith for a deep dive into the complexities of pensions in divorce. They discuss how pensions are valued, common client misconceptions, the use of Galbraith Tables, and why certain assumptions around retirement ages can lead to costly complications.

They also shed light on issues such as lost benefits, pension attachment orders, and when a report is truly needed – offering practical guidance for legal professionals and clients navigating financial settlements.

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.

The show is presented by Beverley Morris. If you need advice or support, our team is here to help.

https://www.hcrlaw.com/service/family-law/

In this episode of Family Matters, host Christopher Finch is joined by Partner and Co-head of Family Worcester Anita Hennessey and Consultant Andrew Caldicott to discuss how the family court has changed over time and what those changes mean for families and legal professionals today.

They explore the wide range of issues that come before the family courts, including divorce, financial disputes, child arrangements, domestic abuse, and child protection. The discussion highlights how societal changes, like the rise in cohabiting couples and blended families, have influenced the types of cases the courts handle.

The team reflects on how modernisation, such as the introduction of online systems and the decline of direct contact with local courts, has made processes more efficient in some ways, but also more challenging for clients.

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.

The show is presented by Christopher Finch and Hannah Nicholls, with guests from HCR Law’s experienced Family Law team. If you need advice or support, our team is here to help.

https://www.hcrlaw.com/service/family-law/

Mental health in farming has always been a problem, but it’s only in recent years that this has become prominent in the national conversation.

• Only 55% of farmers feel positive about their mental health, according to a survey conducted by Farmers Weekly.
• 95% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as one of the biggest hidden problems facing farmers today, according to a 2024 study by the Farm Safety Foundation.
• According to the Office for National Statistics, 62 farmers died by suicide in England and Wales in 2023.

For the final episode in series one of Talk Farm, host Rory Hutchings sits down with Malcolm Thomas, trustee and former Chairman of the National Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).

Malcolm’s long and celebrated career has been dedicated to driving positive change in the agricultural sector, from his close involvement with RABI and his lifetime membership of the Young Farmers’ Club movement to leadership roles in the National Farmers Union. Malcolm has deservedly been awarded an MBE for services to agriculture in Wales.

In this conversation, one-time colleagues and long-term friends Malcolm and Rory discuss the factors driving poor mental health in the farming community, from unpredictable weather and livestock disease to lack of public support and loneliness.

As the government moves ahead with its plans to make significant cuts to Agricultural Relief and Business Property Relief, the challenge for farmers and landowners is becoming more acute.

Malcolm shares his perspective on how we can support those who are struggling, starting with improved agricultural education for the country more broadly and progressing to provide clear support paths for individuals who find themselves in trouble.

Resources for those in need:

• RABI offer a number of supports to those struggling with their mental health, including ‘Click & Chat,’ their online mental wellbeing service and connecting those in need with counselling support.
• The DPJ Foundation provide a 24/7 confidential counselling referral service for members of the agricultural community.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, Partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. Learn more about our services for agricultural professionals.

In this episode of Family Matters, host Christopher Finch is joined by James Grigg, Head of Family at HCR Law, to talk about how finances are handled during divorce. They explain why getting divorced doesn’t automatically deal with money matters and how the courts step in to divide assets and support families.

James offers insight into how the law shapes these decisions and why no two cases are ever quite the same. They also explore how the legal approach has evolved to better reflect modern families, especially where children are involved.

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.

The show is presented by Christopher Finch and Hannah Nicholls, with guests from HCR Law’s experienced Family Law team. If you need advice or support, our team is here to help.

https://www.hcrlaw.com/service/family-law/

We launched our agricultural law podcast, Talk Farm, with a special episode following the October 2024 Budget and the news that Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief would be significantly diminished.

Seven months on, the government’s technical consultation into their proposed Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) has drawn to a close and there’s no U-turn in sight.

HCR Law submitted a response to the technical consultation into how trusts will be impacted by the developments and has spoken directly with HMRC about the proposed changes.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Partner and host James Frankland is joined once more by Lisa Millington, Partner and Head of our Agriculture Private Client team.

This time, their discussion focuses on looking forwards, examining how farming families can adapt post Budget.

Tune in to hear James and Lisa discuss:

• A recap of the proposals, as set out in the October Budget

• Is there any good news?

• When is the draft IHT legislation expected?

• Will lobbying efforts continue?

• How might you mitigate the impact of IHT changes?

• Does life insurance have a place now?

• What’s the ‘least worst’ scenario for my farming business?

HCR Law’s large team of agricultural lawyers includes several specialists dedicated to succession planning matters. If you have a query about how changes to inheritance tax will affect you and what you can do about it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, Partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. Learn more about our services for agricultural clients.

In this special episode of Talk Farm, HCR Law joins forces with the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (“RASC”) to share perspectives on all things agriculture from beyond our shores.

We are joined by Chris Riddle, a Trustee of the RASC and former CEO of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. The RASC host a biannual conference with speakers from across the commonwealth – last year it was held in Edinburgh, and next year it will take place in Cape Town.

Chris introduced us to Jessica and Ella Underberg, who join us for this episode.

Jessica is CEO of the Erie County Agricultural Society and its namesake fair, which attracts a mind-blowing one million visitors across 12 days. The Society’s mission statement is to, “preserve and enhance, by educational endeavours, the historical and agricultural legacy of New York State.”

Her daughter Ella has followed in her footsteps, previously serving as President of Future Farmers of America (FFA). As she prepares for college, Ella shares what agriculture means to her and what she thinks the role of her generation is in taking the sector into the future.

Their wide-ranging conversation, hosted by firm Partner Rory Hutchings, covers:

· The mood music in America

· How different countries can learn from each other in tackling shared agricultural challenges

· Making space for agriculture in school curriculums

· How Future Farmers of America compares to Young Farmers in the UK and the role of both in the agricultural community

· The importance of education and people knowing where their food comes from

· The role of agriculturalists in the green movement

· Embracing technology and innovations across the sector

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise. If you’ve got a query about agricultural law, the team is always happy to help: www.hcrlaw.com/sector/agriculture-environment-and-estates/

We’ll be collaborating with the RASC again to hear more global perspectives on all things agriculture, so make sure you’re subscribed to be notified of future episodes.

Cyber threats are constantly changing, and phishing attacks are more sophisticated than ever. In this episode of Created IP, we break down evolving phishing tactics, how to spot a potential scam, and what to do if your security is compromised."

Key topics covered:

• The latest trends in phishing attacks

• Common red flags to watch for

• Steps to take if your business falls victim

• Best practices for strengthening your security

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/commercial/intellectual-property-protection/

• Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcrlaw/

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from understanding IP rights better. And remember to tune in next month for another insightful discussion.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Partner James Frankland talks to Richard Crane, current Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers.

Agriculture is often said to be England’s oldest and most integral industry, and The Worshipful Company of Farmers is the livery that protects that legacy and guarantees its future.

Education and charity work are the lifeblood of the livery movement, with far-reaching impacts across the nation. Richard shares his journey from attending the Company’s first ever leadership course in 1996 to being Master of the organisation today, and why he felt compelled to give back to agriculture.

This episode explores:

• How liveries work and how they influence the nation
• What led Richard to his current position as Master
• The vital role of education in upholding skills and standards in farming
• The role of City Farms in connecting urban communities with nature
• The growing importance of initiatives like the biannual Wellbeing Forum for supporting mental health in farming

Talk Farm is brought to you by HCR Law. In turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, this podcast sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team.

Catch up on previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple.