We’re in your corner, rain or shine
Life and farming is full of ebbs and flows. Just like the seasons, it’s forever changing. There are good years and bad ones, successes and losses, beginnings and endings.
But whatever’s going on in your life and on your farm, you can depend on us. Whether you’re a farmer or food producer, landowner or tenant, we’re here to help guide you.
We’ll listen, lend our honest advice and, if needed, fight your corner. All to protect the people and things that matter and help you build a stronger, more sustainable business.
When you work with us, you get professional advice from a person who genuinely understands your world and the challenges you face. With agricultural law experts, working across the country, our local teams are on hand and hands on. And, we’re not afraid to roll our sleeves up.
How Our Agriculture & Rural Land Solicitors Experts Can Help
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
With most developments from February 2024 required to deliver a quantifiable improvement (of at least 10%) in biodiversity levels by reference to a pre-development baseline, landowners will play a vital role in helping developers achieve this. Our agriculture and planning experts are here to advise on all aspects of BNG - an initiative that places farmers and landowners at the very heart of environmental stewardship.
Private Client
Tax, estate and succession planning are important considerations in safeguarding your wealth for you and your family. We can help simplify complex tax and trust regimes and help you plan to protect the next generation.
Property
Our team of experts can help in all aspects of property matters, including buying and selling, bank work, granting easements, licences and other property matters affecting land, buildings and farmhouses. We can also advise on landowner development, including option agreements and overage.
Farm Succession Planning
Planning early for your exit or making provisions should something happen to you – such as a decline in your health or your death – will ensure that your business continues to operate or come to a natural end as you intend.
Renewable Energy
Our team of green energy experts work with a broad range of clients to pioneer clean and low carbon energy solutions. Whether you’re building new houses, improving your green credentials or building green technologies, we’re here to help power you towards net zero.
Agriculture Litigation
Working in the agriculture sector can bring with it many complications, especially when it comes to legal issues, and agricultural disputes are in the midst of that. Issues can include rights of way, property rights, boundaries and tenancy disputes, commercial contracts, proprietary estoppel, flooding issues and much more.
Our Agriculture & Rural Land Solicitors Experts
Proud to be part of the agriculture industry
“It’s now more important than ever to ensure our sector is as diverse and balanced as possible. These events give women in the industry a chance to share their experiences and listen to inspirational speakers.”
We are proud to be the appointed NFU Legal Panel firm supporting members in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. NFU members can receive a discount on our fees, along with other financial support.
“We’re grateful to the team at Shakespeare Martineau for their support and expertise, and are always happy to recommend them to our membership community.”
“Any Chambers ranking is a significant achievement. The agriculture and rural affairs team at Shakespeare Martineau sit in Band 1, the highest of six possible rankings.”
“The agriculture and estates team is a league above anyone else in the area. The team is streamlined, quick and efficient and very closely knit.”
Our Testimonials
Our agriculture specialists can help with a wide range of legal challenges
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Buying, selling and refinancing land and buildings.
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Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies, farm business tenancies and residential tenancies
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Succession rights and planning.
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Diversification and changes of use, such as holiday lets, land for development, commercial leases, habitat banks, renewable energy, telecommunications and HS2.
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Planning permission, appeal and judicial review.
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Water management and flood defences.
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Rights over land, rights of common and land easements.
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Boundary disputes.
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Biodiversity Net Gain.
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Corporate structuring, including partnership agreements, restructuring, succession planning, insolvency and disputes
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Commercial agreements including sales, reseller and distributor agreements, franchising and equipment contracts
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Corporate finance and tax planning, including bank security work
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Employment law, including contracts, immigration and promotion agreements
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Intellectual property, trademarking, data compliance, and terms and conditions
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Commercial licenses, including shooting licenses and leases
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Regulatory compliance including animal welfare, pollution incidents, environmental breaches, and health and safety
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Personal wealth and tax planning, including trusts and succession planning
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Wills and inheritance planning, including estate administration, trust disputes, power of attorney and deputyship, and charitable donations
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Family law, including pre and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, divorce and child maintenance
Is your farm or rural business fit for the future?
Fill out our free confidential questionnaire linked below to give us an overview of your farm, business and family affairs. From there, we’ll be able to advise on any areas of concern, plus the plans you could put in place now to benefit your business or protect your assets in the long term..
Why Choose Us?
We know land isn’t just land: it’s your livelihood. We work with both landowners and tenants and can help with all aspects of buying, selling, occupying and managing rural land and property – all with the aim of protecting your interests and maximising the value and potential of your land.
With profit margins being squeezed, the market becoming increasingly competitive and added pressures to comply with regulation, making money from the land is getting harder. Increasingly, we’re seeing farmers and landowners rethink the way their business operates and diversify into new sources of income – something we’re happy to advise on.
For many people in the rural community, farming and family matters are inextricably linked. We specialise in helping farmers, landowners and their families to manage their finances and protect their assets, handling each unique case with consideration and sensitivity.
Our Agriculture & Rural Land Solicitors experts are here to answer any questions you might have
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below