Spotlight on… Hugh Powell

What first attracted you to a career in law?

When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I did a geography degree at Southampton University. At the end of that degree, I was still unsure what I wanted to do, but I did know that I did not want to go home and farm. Farming was hard work, there was no money in it, and I was having too much fun. So, I decided that the best solution was to stay at university a little longer. A friend of mine had done the law conversion so I thought I would give law a go as it sounded interesting.

What type of legal advice do you provide?

I deal with agricultural disputes. Before joining HCR, I was a dispute resolution solicitor, usually acting for lenders. Being a farmer, agricultural law was the obvious choice and having spent 15 years working in dispute resolution, agricultural disputes fitted perfectly with both areas of my life.

What is your most memorable legal experience?

As a dispute resolution solicitor, I once attended an eviction for one of my clients in the Forest of Dean. Whilst the bailiff carried out the eviction, my client – the person who authorised the eviction – and I waited at a nearby bus stop. Suddenly, a car shot out of the drive to the property. The driver then pulled into the bus stop wound down his window and started to shout abuse at me for evicting him from the property.

What is your number one top tip for clients?

It is never as bad as you think and there is always a solution.