Shoosmiths has been appointed to The Land Trust’s legal panel, strengthening an existing relationship and bringing together expertise from across the firm.
Published: 5 November 2026
Authors: Peter Marsden
The Land Trust manages almost 90 sites covering approximately 2,500 hectares across England, creating and managing sustainable green spaces to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.
The appointment will run for an initial three years, with the potential for extensions of up to a further two years.
Shoosmiths has been appointed across four areas: service charge advice; intellectual property, copyright and trademark advice; financial and charity accounts law advice; and biodiversity net gain (BNG) legal advice.
The appointment builds on Shoosmiths’ existing work with the Land Trust. The firm’s Planning team already advises on conservation covenants, where the Land Trust acts as a Responsible Body monitoring the delivery and management of BNG on habitat banks. The team also advises on Section 106 agreements where The Land Trust owns land being used to provide BNG for developments.
Peter Marsden, Partner and Head of Residential Development at Shoosmiths, will lead the relationship, supported by Karen Howe, Legal Director in Planning. The wider team draws on expertise from across the firm, including Melissa Barker, Partner and Head of Plot Sales, reflecting the breadth of support Shoosmiths will provide to the Land Trust.
Peter Marsden, Partner and Head of Housebuilding at Shoosmiths, said:
“This is a fantastic appointment for the firm and a great opportunity to build on our existing relationship with the Land Trust.
“The breadth of the panel gives us the opportunity to bring together expertise from across Shoosmiths, while continuing to support the Land Trust in important areas including biodiversity net gain and the long-term stewardship of green spaces.”
Alan Carter, Chief Executive Officer at The Land Trust, said:
“As the UK’s leading green space management charity, the Land Trust operates on a nationwide scale, with a role that goes far beyond simply maintaining green spaces. Our work generated £87 million of social value last year, demonstrating the difference these places make to communities.
“The scale and breadth of our operation mean we need access to a wide range of legal expertise and experience to support our work. We are therefore delighted to be working with Shoosmiths as part of our legal panel, building on our existing relationship to support the long-term stewardship of green spaces and the benefits they deliver.”