Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Our agriculture & rural affairs lawyers advise on a wide range of commercial agreements tailored to the rural economy. We assist landowners, estates, and agribusinesses with drafting and negotiating contracts including supply, partnership, sponsorship, joint venture, and diversification agreements. Our team provides commercially astute, practical advice that protects interests and ensures compliance, supporting the growth and sustainability of rural enterprises in an increasingly regulated and competitive environment. 

• Advised on terms and conditions in relation to the planting of cricket ball willow trees and supply of cut timber to cricket bat manufacturers.
• Negotiated an event agreement between a country estate and event management company for an obstacle and mud run over farm land.
• Advised a tree surgeon in relation to commercial issues stemming from the supply of timber and fabrication of wooden structures and fencing.
• Negotiated a sponsorship agreement between a leading celebrity chef and Norfolk-based supplier of edible flowers and micro herbs.
• Created various template documents for vertical farming companies including: NDAs; terms and conditions for the supply of goods and services; MoUs; design appointment agreements; and a contract for the design, manufacture, supply, commission and installation of products/equipment.
• Reviewed a power purchase agreement for a vertical farming company.
• Reviewed, amended and negotiated various documents for vertical farming companies including: MoUs, corporate NDAs; corporate engagement letters; agreements including for the provision of IT consultancy services; collaboration agreements; for a vertical farming company.

Our leading experts advise on all aspects of commercial property within a rural context. We support landowners, estates, and farming businesses with sales, purchases, leases, and development agreements. Our agriculture & rural affairs team combines sector insight with commercial acumen to deliver tailored advice on complex landholding structures, tenancies, and planning considerations, ensuring clients achieve their strategic objectives while maximising the value and use of their rural property assets. 

• Acted for various farming clients in the sales of land with the benefit of planning for residential development to national housebuilders for sums exceeding £22M, £26M and £47M.
• Advised a group of farmers on selling their land to a housing developer.
• Advised on numerous telecoms code agreements on agricultural land.
• Advised on the statutory adoption of rising sewerage mains and pumping station involving agricultural land.
• Advised on the purchase of a farm with a value of £10 million.
• Regularly acting for one of the largest poultry companies in the UK, carrying out their agricultural-based work.
• Advised on a promotion agreement with a national developer acting for a private landowner and ultimate disposal to Bovis Homes, value circa £15m.
• Advised a group of farmers in Hoddesdon on the collective sale of their land to a housing developer.

With a deep understanding of rural operations and construction law, our agriculture team provides practical, commercially focused support to help construction projects run smoothly from concept to completion. We assist landowners, estates, and contractors with drafting and negotiating construction contracts, advising on planning, risk management, and dispute resolution.

• Advised a landed estate on various renewable energy installations.
• Advised a vertical farming solutions company on engineering, procurement and commissioning (EPC) contracts for the construction and installation of vertical farming works, including automated systems in Northamptonshire, London, Italy, Australia and Mexico.
• Advised a leading agricultural association on commercial matters, including licensing of their accreditation scheme for organic and biodynamic growers and manufacturers in line with DEFRA guidelines as statutory accreditors.
• Advised a landed estate on the construction of a number of buildings and facilities on the wider estate, including a wedding venue by way of diversification.
• Advised the leading full-service biomethane and biogas plant manufacturer on the procurement and installation of anaerobic digesters on a number of farms and estates within the UK.
• Advised a green energy supplier on the proposed rollout of its grass-fed-only anaerobic digestion plants, using a local network of farms within 10km of each site to achieve a sustainable feedstock.
• Acted for a pig farm in a dispute against the contractor arising from the design and construction of an anaerobic digestion plant required for the processing of waste arising from the farm. The issues included defective design, defects, and delay to completion.
• Acted for a farming developer of an anaerobic digestion plant in claims against the environmental consultant in respect of failures pertaining to the obtaining of a bespoke permit.
• Acted for a farming developer of an anaerobic digestion plant in claims against the contractor arising from the design and construction of the plant. The issues included defects, delay to completion, and failure to meet the performance criteria.
• Advised an arable farm in relation to the design and construction of wind turbines and acted in disputes against the professional team and contractor.
• Acted for a contractor defending claims made by the farming landowner and employer concerning the design and construction of an energy-from-waste plant. The issues included defective design, defects, and delay.

Our agriculture & rural affairs experts have significant experience in advising on a wide range of disputes affecting landowners, estates, and rural businesses. We handle matters including boundary issues, rights of way, tenancies, partnership breakdowns, and contract disputes. Our aim is to protect clients’ interests and achieve effective outcomes with minimal disruption to agriculture and rural operations and long-standing relationships, whether through negotiation, mediation or litigation.

• Advised on disputes relating to electricity, water and telecoms wayleaves and relocation across agricultural land.
• Acted for a major landed estate in a multimillion-pound dispute regarding restrictive covenants.
• Acted for a golf club in bringing a claim following damage to its course caused by an escape of animals from a neighbouring farm.
• Advised a forestry client in relation to a dispute with a farm concerning a cricket willow bed plantation.
• Advised on a nuisance claim for run-off from a farm across a newly built estate.
• Advised on a dispute concerning the supply of substandard bare-root and root-ball trees.
• Advised on numerous telecoms code agreements on agricultural land.

Employment matters in rural settings can be complex; our experts are on hand to provide clear, strategic advice, supporting estates, farms, and agri-businesses with clear, practical guidance. We assist with drafting contracts, managing disciplinary issues, redundancy processes, and seasonal worker arrangements. With deep insight into disputes, regulatory compliance, and employment rights specific to the rural sector, we help clients maintain productive, legally sound working relationships in a dynamic and often sensitive employment landscape.

• Advised on the employment and bloodstock work for a stud farm.
• Advised on all employment and bloodstock aspects of our client’s purchase of the largest commercial stud farm in the UK. Advised the same client on particular employment issues since.

Our highly specialist agriculture & rural affairs lawyers advise farming families, estate owners, and rural businesses on complex matrimonial matters. We understand the sensitivities around land, inheritance, and succession. Our team advise on prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce settlements, and asset protection, ensuring family interests and rural continuity are preserved during emotionally and financially challenging times.

• Advised and represented a client, with teenage children, whose former spouse owned a farm that had been in their family for three generations. The case concluded with the client being provided with about a third of the overall value of the farming business, which was sufficient to purchase a house for themselves and the children. The farming business remained intact for the next generation.
• Advised and represented a client who jointly owned a farm and related agricultural business. Successfully argued that the company was a quasi-partnership and therefore, any minority shareholding should be ignored, and the client’s beneficial interest in the agricultural business was held by the judge to be 50%.
• Advised and represented a farmer in respect of a pre-marital agreement, which set out how they and their future spouse wished to regulate their financial and business affairs in the event that their upcoming marriage ended in divorce.
• Advised and represented the owner of an equestrian centre, who had the business prior to the medium-term, childless, same-sex civil partnership. The expert accountancy advice, which was obtained on a jointly instructed basis, found that the liquidity of the business was insufficient to provide the client’s partner with the lump sum the FDR judge considered fair. The case settled on the basis of a reduced lump sum, that could be raised from the business, being paid upon settlement, then in addition a pension sharing order in the ex-partner’s favour.
• Advised and represented an unmarried client, who had a livery yard and smallholding, in relation to the extent of their ex-partner’s beneficial interest in the same given their financial contribution and a declaration of trust that was in existence. There were children involved, so as well as the TOLATA issues, there were related Schedule 1 Children Act issues to consider and resolve.
• Advised a director of the UK’s leading tractor dealership on the financial settlement within her divorce which included the company structure and business assets.
• Advised the wife of a vineyard owner on her divorce and financial settlement.

We have extensive experience of advising on all aspects of agricultural landlord and tenant law, including tenancy creation, succession, termination, and rent reviews. We act for both landlords and tenants under the Agricultural Holdings Act, and other relevant legislation, and advise on farm business tenancies. With in-depth sector knowledge, our team delivers clear, practical advice to resolve disputes, protect long-term interests, and ensure compliance with evolving legislation in a commercially sensitive manner. 

• Advised on the termination of an agricultural tenancy in Herefordshire.
• Advised a landlord regarding moving a protected agricultural tenant to a new property to allow the landlord to use the currently occupied property for himself/his family.
• Advised a large agricultural landowner in relation to succession rights of agricultural tenants.
• Acted for the landlord, including appearing as the advocate, in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in the determination of a Fair Rent payable by a tenant protected by the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (Case Ref: CHI/43UJ/F77/2015/0033).

Our agriculture & rural affairs specialists advise on all aspects of planning law which affects rural land and businesses. Assisting with applications, appeals, enforcement matters, and strategic land promotion, our expert lawyers support diversification projects, renewable energy schemes, and development opportunities, providing commercially focused guidance to help clients navigate complex planning processes while maximising the potential of their rural assets. 

• Advised a commercial agricultural estate on proposals for development of a major new milking parlour and dairy in Somerset.
• Advised on the change of use applications for conversion of barns to dwellings/lifting of occupational restrictions relating to former agricultural and equestrian buildings.
• Advised a poultry farmer on diversification issues associated with development of proposed wedding venue facilities.
• Advised on planning enforcement proceedings relating to former agricultural and equestrian buildings.
• Advised on ‘GPDO’ permitted development applications, judicial reviews, appeals and High Court challenges.
• Advised on a High Court appeal relating to a windfarm on agricultural land.

Our experts provide tailored advice on probate and estate planning for farming families, landowners, and rural businesses. We advise on wills, trusts, succession planning, and the administration of complex estates. With a deep understanding of rural assets and family dynamics, our team delivers practical, tax-efficient solutions that protect generational wealth and ensure the smooth transition of agricultural and landed interests to future generations. 

• Advised on trust issues for property in a country estate held by non-domiciliaries in the UK.
• Advised on agricultural property relief for HNWIs.
• Drafted wills and estate planning for farming clients.
• Day-to-day administration of a large landed estate held through offshore entities.
• Acted on a will validity dispute concerning a Sussex farm valued c.£6m, settled by mediation and secured the client beneficiaries’ interests under the will.
• Acted for the trustees of a £6m family settlement of a farm, in respect of a challenge to the trustees’ exercise of their dispositive powers to make a distribution of trust assets.

Our team of experienced agriculture & rural affairs lawyers advise on a wide range of property litigation matters affecting rural landowners, estates, and businesses. We handle disputes involving boundaries, rights of way, adverse possession, restrictive covenants, and nuisance claims. With a strong understanding of rural property issues and sector sensitivities, our team delivers strategic, cost-effective solutions to resolve conflicts and protect clients’ interests in both contentious and non-contentious scenarios.

• Advised on numerous telecoms code agreements on agricultural land.
• Advised on the statutory adoption of rising sewerage mains and pumping station involving agricultural land.
• Acted for a golf club in bringing a claim following damage to its course caused by an escape of animals from a neighbouring farm.
• Advised on a dispute concerning the supply of substandard bare root and root-ball trees.
• Advised a tree surgeon in relation to commercial issues stemming from the supply of timber and fabrication of wooden structures and fencing.

We have proven expertise in advising on all aspects of residential property within a rural setting. We assist landowners, estates, and rural businesses with sales, purchases, lettings, and development of cottages, farmhouses, and estate dwellings. Our agriculture & rural affairs team combines property expertise with sector insight to deliver practical, efficient advice tailored to the unique requirements of rural residential holdings and long-term estate management strategies.

• Acted on the purchase of a coastal estate including a stretch of beach, a manor house and ancillary holiday lets plus agricultural land leased on a mixture of FBTs and AHAs.
• Acted on the purchase of a property (main house and farm) for £4 million.
• Acted on the sale of an estate which included several hundred acres of farmland let on FBTs and grazing licences, for £5 million.
• Acted on the purchase of a farm for £2 million.
• Acted on the purchase of an estate which include hundreds of acres of agricultural land, for £16 million.
• Acted on the purchase of a farm which included hundreds of acres of agricultural land for £2 million.
• Acted on the purchase of a listed manor house with listed gardens including an Elizabethan knot garden, woodland and arable land let on an FBT. Also advised on the ancillary staff accommodation and stables, granting and taking of easements, sorting out boundary obligations, and later a mortgage of the same, surrender of AHA tenancy, and variation of intermediate lease. Advised on the consequences of the removal of the land from a stewardship scheme and the sale of entitlements. Advised on listed status and AONB status and the consequences on proposed planning applications.
• Acted on the purchase of approx. 800 acres of agricultural land in North Lincolnshire with funding from AMC in part. The matter involved: multiple vendors including individuals, executors and trusts and land registered within farm woodland premium scheme, and basic payment scheme; transfers of part titles and various anomalies requiring statutory declarations and indemnity insurance; Drainage Board registration complexities and holdover and tenant right to cater for; simultaneous exchange but staggered completions entailing research and advice on SDLT obligations.