Overview

There are many structures and relationships that define farming businesses, as well as domestic and European laws that govern them. This means farmers and owners of rural land often require specialist agricultural advice to help them navigate their way through a wide range of complex legal issues.

Our team of farming lawyers have an in-depth understanding of farming law and advise on all aspects of farming businesses, including partnership formation, corporate/joint venture structuring, tax and succession planning, and land ownership.

In addition, we also specialise in rural land ownership. We are able to deliver practical and commercial legal advice to our clients by drawing on the expertise of other practice areas within the firm, including property, tax and estate planning and the challenging issues of passing property to the next generation.

Our farming lawyers can provide extensive insight on the UK agriculture industry and have a thorough knowledge of European regulations and subsidies, allowing them to advise on the most up-to-date European farming law.

We have published The Pink Book 2, Burges Salmon’s legal 'bible' for landowners and farmers. The book covers topics as diverse as buying, selling and developing farmland, estate planning, trusts and partnerships, planning and employment law and is free to download.

Areas of focus

Our expertise in farming law includes the following:

  • Partnership formation.
  • Corporate/joint venture structuring.
  • Succession planning.
  • Sales, purchases and mortgages.
  • Partnership administration and bankruptcy.
  • Disputes (property and general disputes).
  • Real estate.
  • Renewables.
  • Tax and estate planning.
Experience

Acting for the UK's industry leading growers and producers nationwide.

Advising on a high value, complex farming partnership dispute, including agricultural tenancies, family trusts, succession issues, tax planning advice, complex land transfer arrangements and development rights.

Acting in the high profile, leading case on partnership valuation of Drake v Harvey and others.

Advising numerous estates on succession planning, tax planning, trusts and partnership.

Advising a family farming company over the potential restructuring of a clawback arrangement on 2,000 acres of farmland.

Providing advice to lenders and borrowers securing over £100 million of loans during the year including all aspects of security over single farm payments and entitlements.

Advising on the sale of a portfolio of rural properties and the sale of a farm in Oxfordshire with complex clawback provisions for the Co-operative Group.

Meet the team
Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming
Tom Hewitt

Tom Hewitt Partner

  • Private Wealth
  • Head of Estates and Land
  • Head of Food and Farming
Kevin Kennedy

Kevin Kennedy Partner

  • Estates and Land
  • Private Wealth
  • Agricultural Disputes
Ross Simpson

Ross Simpson Partner

  • Real Estate
  • Estates and Land
  • Food and Farming
Emma Folkes

Emma Folkes Partner

  • Head of Rural Property
  • Estates and Land
  • Food and Farming

What others say...

The rural team have excellent strength and breadth across the sector. In a changing landscape they have engaged in thought leadership which puts them apart from their competitors and much appreciated by clients.

Legal 500 2024

Key contact

Jim Aveline

Jim Aveline Partner

  • Private Client Services
  • Family Offices and Family Businesses
  • Food and Farming

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