Hugh specialises in acting for clients on a wide range of private-client-related property matters.
He acts for private clients, landed estates, and institutional clients in relation to all aspects of property law, and has particular expertise in guiding clients through the process of both buying and selling London property, country houses, sporting estates, farms, and agricultural land.
Hugh also has a wealth of experience in the equine and bloodstock sector, having acted frequently in the sale and purchase of equine property.
Expertise
Hugh advises on both the sale and purchase of high-value residential property, primarily in London. Additionally, he advises on residential leases and property-related private wealth matters.
Experience
Acted in the high-value sale of an eco-friendly prime central London house to a high-profile individual.
Acted on the high-value purchase of a residential property in Godalming, Surrey, in a very tight timescale.
Advised on the high-value sale of a significant central London property on Hyde Park Gate.
Acted on a substantial purchase of a residential property in Oxford for a long-standing, well-known media client.
Advised a client on a significant transaction of a large property in a very popular London Square. The property consisted of the main house and a mews house. There was a particular complication as the client wanted to proceed to exchange contracts prior to the Grant of Probate of the deceased US seller.
Advised on the purchase of the Penthouse apartment of a new highly regarded development near Holand Park.
Advised on the purchase of a house in London for over £30m.
Advised on the purchase of an apartment in central London for over £20m.
Hugh advises on the sale and purchase of equine property such as stud farms and training yards.
Experience
Acted for the purchaser of a racehorse training yard.
Acted on the purchase of a stud farm in Newmarket.
Acted for a racehorse trainer taking a long lease of a racing yard and facilities.
Acted on the sale of a Newmarket racehorse training yard.
Hugh acts for individuals, landed estates, charities, and corporates, with particular expertise in buying and selling country houses, farms, and agricultural land.
Experience
Acted on the sale of a sporting estate with two ownership structures, shooting and fishing rights, tenancies, environmental schemes and entitlements.
Acted on the sale of a grouse moor with associated employment and corporate advice.
Acted on the purchase of a large Oxfordshire estate with a complex title, private water supplies, and complex planning issues.
Acted on the purchase of a property (main house and farm) for £4m.
Acted on the sale of an estate which included several hundred acres of farmland let on FBTs and grazing licences, for £5m.
Acted on the purchase of a farm for £2m.
Acted on the purchase of an estate which included hundreds of acres of agricultural land for £16m.
Acted on the purchase of a farm which included several hundred acres of agricultural land for £2m.
Provided agricultural and commercial advice to client relating to the planting, growing, and harvesting of English willow for cricket bat production.
Advised on the off-market purchase of a large farm with particular issues with occupiers, the water supply and grant schemes, as well as being the neighbouring farm to the client’s existing farm.
Advised on the purchase of a substantial country house. Various issues arose during the transaction relating to planning, private drainage, and access.
Advised on the purchase which included employment advice, and company advice of a mixed estate consisting of a large listed house, three other residential dwellings, commercial let units, and fishing over a very well-known and important part of the River Test.
Advised client on the purchase of a substantial country house, which had been divided into flats, with extensive gardens and grounds.
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Residential Property 2022–2026
Recognised by The Legal 500 for Agriculture and Estates 2025
Recognised by Chambers High Net Worth for Real Estate: High Value Residential 2021–2024
Recognised by the Spear’s Property Advisers Index as a Top Recommended Lawyer 2020–2024
“Hugh Murphy is very approachable.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Hugh Murphy’s team at Keystone continue to set the standard. Professionalism, unwavering integrity and proactive problem resolution are the cornerstones of the business.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Hugh Murphy is without doubt one of the best lawyers in his field and that’s why we use him. He believes in the deal which is a rare trait in the legal world.”
The Legal 500 2026
“Hugh Murphy is very professional and he is also very pleasant to talk to. He takes time to explain things thoroughly. Hugh would also contact us outside normal working hours and weekends if there was something important to be dealt with or a deadline to be met.”
The Legal 500 2025
“Hugh Murphy is an extremely experienced residential property lawyer, who is user-friendly and brings a can-do attitude to any scenario.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Hugh Murphy is always readily available to discuss issues and offer solutions before delivering sound professional advice to our mutual clients with a pragmatic and human touch.”
The Legal 500 2024
“Hugh Murphy’s team continues to deliver an unrivalled personal and professional service in the upper end of the residential and agricultural property market.”
The Legal 500 2024
“He does a mix of London and rural work and is really good at it. I do love working with him.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2024
“Hugh is a highly polished individual with excellent competence and communication.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2024
“Hugh is a trusted adviser for his clients. He has a calm voice and is extremely knowledgeable in this area.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2023
“An excellent team, our clients’ go-to residential and agricultural lawyers. We principally deal with Hugh Murphy. Hugh is efficient, knowledgeable, personable and accessible.”
The Legal 500 2023
“Extremely efficient [and] a pleasure to deal with. He makes difficult situations pleasurable, is proactive and sensible in his advice.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2022
“Hugh Murphy has stand out execution skills whilst remaining exceptionally thorough on the detail.”
The Legal 500 2022
“Hugh Murphy is always contactable and you get to speak with a partner rather than one of the team. He takes a sensible approach to problem-solving rather than problem-finding.”
The Legal 500 2021
“Hugh Murphy of Keystone Law operates with uncompromising efficiency and professionalism.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2021
“He is always on the ball. The good thing about him is that he has so much experience and he makes such a stressful moment in your life much easier.”
Chambers High Net Worth 2021
Hugh qualified as a solicitor in 2006. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2017, he worked at the following firms: