Podcasts from HCR

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,...

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...

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 explore...

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. Tog...

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 agricul...

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 fear...

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,...

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 mig...

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...

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...

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...

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, ch...

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 stu...

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 ev...

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 respo...

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 ye...

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 str...

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...

In this HCR Law podcast, specialists from our Dispute Resolution team come together to discuss the new Procurement Act and the impact we can expect to see on public sector procurement over the next year. The episode is hosted by Senior Associate Madeleine Jordan , with expert insights from Stewart Morrison , Head of Procurement and Supply Chain, and Associate Emma Elston-Carr . Our litigation team...

In this episode of Created IP, we explore the power of branding and how it shapes your business identity. From logos to messaging, we discuss how business owners can use branding to establish a strong presence, connect with their audience, and clearly communicate what they do. Key Topics Covered: What is branding, and why does it matter? The difference between branding and trademarks How to create...

There can be little doubt that 2025 will be a time of transformative change for farmers and rural business owners, as the legislation proposed in the Autumn budget is formalised in the courts. In this episode of Talk Farm, hosts James Frankland and Rory Hutchings sit down with Denise Wilkinson, Head of Agriculture and Estates at HCR Law, for an in-depth discussion of what the year ahead holds for...

In the first episode of Created IP, we dive deep into the world of intellectual property (IP) rights and explore the question of ownership. We cover the different types of intellectual property, the importance of contracts, and practical tips for protecting your creative and business assets. Key Topics Covered: What is Intellectual Property (IP)? Who Owns Intellectual Property? Common Ownership Sc...

It’s safe to say it’s been an eventful few months for UK farmers and agricultural professionals, with developments both at home and abroad posing a new set of challenges and opportunities. In this episode of Talk Farm, Host James Frankland welcomes Ed Barker, Head of Policy and External Affairs at the Institute of Agricultural Industries Confederation, as his guest. Ed’s role at the AIC is focused...

The Royal Welsh show has been held in its namesake country since 1904 and is today one of the largest shows in Europe. There's no one better placed, then, to talk about the role of agricultural shows in sustaining rural life than Aled Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. Aled was also on the board of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and has previously s...

It will soon be one month since Labour released their new budget, which confirmed the fears of the rural community in reducing Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, amongst other changes that will squeeze farmers and other agricultural professionals. The first episode of Talk Farm is dedicated to helping you understand these changes and mitigate negative impacts on your liveli...