We understand that agriculture and rural business is highly specialised, bringing its own set of unique commercial and legal challenges that are often quite distinct from those faced in other businesses.

Of course, there are all the familiar commercial pressures of running a business – but with extra dimensions that come from operating in a rural setting and often working alongside other family members. This includes not only contending with the usual challenges of farming life – including family dynamics, changing consumer and retailer preferences, planning and environmental issues – but also new and increasingly complex challenges and opportunities – such as the roll out of new Environmental Land Management subsidy schemes, the push towards net zero and additional competing pressures on land use from natural capital, rewilding and other commercial and environmental diversification schemes.

farming-countryside

Our services

Our specialist team can help advise on the following.

We act for clients buying and selling rural land (including at auction), from small bolt-on acquisitions right the way through to multi-million pound farm transactions.

We advise both landlord and tenant clients in respect of agricultural tenancies, including both farm business tenancies and succession tenancies under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.

We help clients to set up a wide variety of diversification projects, including holiday lets, grazing agreements, shooting and fishing rights, forestries and commercial unit leases.

We advise clients on a full range of rural property disputes, including trespass, nuisance, right of way disputes, proprietary estoppel, breach of covenant and interference with easements.

We act for both landlords and tenants in disputes relating to their lease including breach of lease, dilapidations, end of tenancy claims, succession applications and possession proceedings.

We advise clients working in farming partnerships on a variety of complex issues, including breach of partners’ duties, dissolution and winding up proceedings and contractual disputes.

We advise clients who are considering entering into natural capital agreements, environmental/conservation covenants, and S106 agreements for environmental schemes, as well as on disputes arising from those agreements.

Find out more

We act for lenders in the agricultural sector and borrowers looking to raise finance against rural property.

Why choose Foot Anstey?

We work collaboratively within the firm and with our clients’ other rural professionals – including national and regional land agents and accountants – to ensure that our farming and rural clients get the best possible advice for all aspects of their business and personal lives. No matter your situation, we always look to see things from your perspective on a tailored basis each time and can offer new solutions to what are often old problems.

We act for a range of clients in this area including private individuals, farming partnerships, landed estates, charities, companies, banks and LPA receivers. All may have different aims but all need specialist sector-focused advice.

Our people

Our lawyers are experts in agricultural law and have both regional and national experience, with a breadth and depth of knowledge of both high-value and complex farming and land matters. They are committed to finding pragmatic solutions to challenges you may face and working with you achieve your aims.  It’s vital that you have trusted advisors on board.

Meet our team

Key contacts

Podcast episodes

Find out more about our new podcast series where our Farms, Estates and Rural Land team bring you episodes focused on insights and practical advice on important issues for agriculture and rural business.

Insights & news

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