We’ve always been busy since we started, but we needed to invest in order to grow. Previously, it’s felt like I’ve always had to look for lower-cost routes to growth – now, with the confidence that the micro loan has given us, it’s felt more like I’ve been able to go shopping for what our business needs.
Sarah Dodd, Director, Tree Law
Business overview
Tree Law is a specialist legal firm that supports businesses and organisations with tree-related legal matters.
Based in Barry, they work with developers, housing associations, insurance providers, and local authorities to address complex issues such as environmental compliance, invasive species management, and Tree Protection Orders. Their services help businesses reduce risk and ensure adherence to relevant regulations.
Management
Sarah Dodd, Director, Tree Law - Sarah founded Tree Law in November 2021 after spending 20 years in leading UK corporate law firms. As CEO, she brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision to the business, focusing on delivering expert legal solutions for tree-related issues.
Driven by her passion for keeping trees at the heart of every legal decision, Sarah actively shapes the industry conversation. She regularly speaks at sector events and leads the annual Tree Law Conference, reinforcing her commitment to advancing best practices in this highly specialised area of law.
Business purpose
Tree Law is a carbon-neutral law firm dedicated to delivering expert legal advice on matters involving trees and environmental issues. Specialising in areas such as tree root subsidence, tree protection, and tree failure claims, the firm ensures clients receive precise, informed guidance on these complex challenges.
Serving a diverse client base - including public sector organisations, corporate entities, individual homeowners, and insurance companies, Tree Law combines legal expertise with a strong commitment to sustainability. At the conclusion of each claim, the firm conducts carbon footprint assessments to help decarbonise the legal process, reinforcing its pledge to environmentally responsible practices.
Uniquely, Tree Law is the only UK law firm dedicated solely to advice and disputes involving trees. This exclusive focus enables them to deliver expert, practical solutions tailored to commercial needs, whether for development projects, property management, or liability concerns.
Working with us
- Date of most recent funding round: August 2025
- Size: £50,000
- The fund: Wales Micro Loan Fund
Tree Law used a £50,000 micro loan from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund to grow its team and boost capacity. The firm hired three new staff members as a direct result of the funding, adding valuable expertise to support its specialist legal services.
Two of the new recruits joined full-time, while the third came on board part-time, giving the business greater flexibility to meet rising demand. This investment drives Tree Law’s expansion and strengthens its ability to deliver expert advice and resolve complex tree-related legal issues.
What people are saying
More and more people are aware of just how much of an asset trees are, and there’s increased awareness around how they need to be dealt with in terms of liability, regulation and protection. We’ve seen increased demand for the kind of advice we provide, whether for individual clients or larger companies.
The last year has been a re-calibration for us, as we’ve looked ahead to the next level of our growth. We’ve always been busy since we started, but we needed to invest in order to grow. Previously, it’s felt like I’ve always had to look for lower-cost routes to growth – now, with the confidence that the micro loan has given us, it’s felt more like I’ve been able to go shopping for what our business needs.
Sarah Dodd, Director, Tree Law
Tree Law offers guidance in a highly specialised field, which is seeing increased demand as regulatory regimes change and environmental awareness grows. The support we at the Development Bank of Wales have provided has allowed them to take the next natural steps on their business journey by growing their team, meaning they can provide advice to a wider range of clients and plan for their future.
Chris Stork, Investment Executive, Development Bank of Wales
