"A legendary reputation for rights of way expertise"
Chambers’ Guide to the Legal Profession - 2007

We have developed a national expertise in this complex area of law. It is a technical and obscure area that is not taught on most law courses and with which most solicitors are unfamiliar.

The existence, or alleged existence, of public rights of way over private land can be a source of much controversy. Birketts’ rights of way team recognises the strong feelings that can be engendered from the recording of routes on Definitive Maps during the 1950s and subsequently.
The impact of maintenance and enforcement work carried out by highway authorities can also create difficulties for landowners and managers who, while sensitive to the need to provide access for the public, also face the pressures of running a business in the countryside.  We can advise on rights and responsibilities.
Legislation provides for the public rights of way network to evolve to meet changing needs.  Yet achieving a change, whether for agricultural, development or other land management reasons, can be a time consuming and complicated process.  Birketts has special expertise in this area and contacts with many of the local authorities around the country to which applications need to be made.