Agricultural law solicitors
We help farmers, landowners and rural businesses with the legal, regulatory and commercial side of farming, from tenancy disputes and diversification projects to succession planning and renewable energy ventures.
In short
Ansons' agricultural law solicitors act for farm owners, tenants, estate managers, contractors and professional advisers. We advise on buying and selling farms and estates, tenancies, option and promotion agreements, diversification, disputes and family succession. The team includes Neil Faunch (Joint Head of Commercial Property and Agricultural Law) and is ranked Tier 2 for agriculture and estates in the West Midlands by The Legal 500 UK 2026. To get in touch, use the enquiry form on this page.
Our services to the agricultural sector
- Sale and purchase of farms and estates
- Agricultural joint ventures and partnerships
- Dispute resolution, arbitrations and tribunals
- Diversification projects and planning agreements
- Environmental and rural land management issues
- Family and succession planning
- Lasting powers of attorney
- Tax planning and inheritance considerations
- Option and promotion agreements
- Tenancy agreements and succession applications
- Rights of way, easements and wayleaves
- Development and conversion projects
Recent work
Sale and purchase of mixed-use farms and rural estates
Acting for buyers and sellers in the acquisition and disposal of substantial farming and estate properties across the Midlands. Our work includes negotiating complex title issues, overage clauses and agricultural tenancies through to completion.
Option and promotion agreements for land development
Advising landowners and developers on the structure and negotiation of option and promotion agreements to unlock development value from agricultural land. We advise on tax implications, planning obligations and long-term value protection.
Diversification and renewable energy projects
Supporting farmers and landowners exploring diversification, such as renewable energy installations, conversion of agricultural buildings for commercial use and the creation of leisure or equestrian enterprises. We manage the full process from initial feasibility through to lease and planning documentation.
Family partnerships and succession planning
Acting for farming families in the reorganisation of business structures, partnership agreements and inheritance planning. We work closely with accountants and financial advisers on tax-efficient, long-term succession arrangements that support business continuity.
Farms, estates and rural businesses
Our team understands rural business life, agricultural property and farming families. We act for farm owners, tenants, estate managers, contractors and professional advisers across the UK.
Talk to
Neil FaunchDirector, Joint Head of Commercial Property and Agricultural Law01543 267 191
The team includes Neil Faunch, Director and Joint Head of Commercial Property and Agricultural Law. Ian Meadows advises on agricultural disputes, and Rebecca Head and Adrian Schuck advise farming families on succession and inheritance.
Ansons is ranked Tier 2 for agriculture and estates in the West Midlands in The Legal 500 UK 2026. See the ranking.
Succession and inheritance planning for farming families
For most farming families the land is the business, the home and the inheritance all at once. Passing it on well takes more than a will. It takes a plan the whole family understands, agreed before it is needed.
Talk to
Rebecca HeadDirector01543 267984
Adrian SchuckAssociate Director01543 267239
What changed in April 2026
- £2.5m
- of qualifying property per person keeps 100% agricultural and business property relief
- 50%
- relief on qualifying property above that
From 6 April 2026, 100% agricultural and business property relief applies only to the first £2.5 million of qualifying property per person. Above that, relief drops to 50%. Any unused allowance can pass to a spouse or civil partner, even if the first death occurs before 6 April 2026. If your plans were made under the old rules, it is worth checking they still do what you expect.
How we help
- Wills built around the farm, not just the farmhouse
- Succession planning: who runs the business and who owns it
- Trusts and lifetime gifts
- Inheritance tax planning under the new relief rules
- Lasting powers of attorney, so the farm keeps running if you cannot
- Probate and estate administration
We work alongside your accountant and land agent so the legal, tax and practical sides line up.
Agricultural disputes and rights of way
When a problem comes up on the land or within the family business, we look after the legal side so you can get on with running the farm.
Talk to
Ian MeadowsDirector, Dispute Resolution & Property Litigation01543 211938
Agricultural tenancy disputes
Rent reviews, repairs, notices to quit and succession under Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and farm business tenancies.
Rural residential occupancy issues
Who can live in farm cottages and other homes on the land, on what terms and what happens when the arrangement ends.
Farming partnership and family business disputes
Disagreements between partners, shareholders or family members over how the business is run, who owns what or what happens when someone leaves.
Contractual disputes and tortious claims
Disputes with buyers, suppliers or contractors over what was agreed. Claims for loss or damage caused by negligence or another civil wrong.
Farming inheritance disputes
Challenges to wills, Inheritance Act claims and disputes where someone was promised the farm and relied on that promise.
Third-party rights over land, title matters and boundary disputes
Disputes over access and other rights across land, problems with title and disagreements over where a boundary lies.
Trespass and nuisance claims
Unauthorised access to land and interference between neighbours, such as noise, smells or drainage problems.
Rights of way, definitive map orders and village greens
Public footpaths and bridleways across your land, diversion applications, Definitive Map Modification Orders and village green applications. Also private rights of access and easements.
Why choose Ansons
- Ranked Tier 2 for agriculture and estates in the West Midlands (The Legal 500 UK 2026)
- An agricultural law team that includes Neil Faunch, Joint Head of Commercial Property and Agricultural Law
- Practical understanding of how rural businesses operate
- Advice across property, disputes, planning, tax and succession
- Experience of farm sales, diversification projects and succession matters
- Straightforward communication and commercially minded solutions
Questions about agriculture law
What do agricultural law solicitors do?
We advise on buying and selling farms and estates, agricultural tenancies and succession applications, option and promotion agreements, diversification projects, rights of way, easements and wayleaves, environmental and rural land management issues, disputes and family succession planning.
Can you help with farm diversification?
Yes. We support farmers and landowners with diversification such as renewable energy installations, converting agricultural buildings for commercial use and setting up leisure or equestrian enterprises, from initial feasibility through to lease and planning documentation. See our farm diversification page.
Do you help farming families plan for succession?
Yes. Rebecca Head and Adrian Schuck advise farming families on wills, succession planning, trusts and lifetime gifts, inheritance tax planning under the new relief rules, lasting powers of attorney and probate. We also act on partnership agreements, incorporation and bringing the next generation into the business, working alongside your accountant and land agent.
How did agricultural property relief change in April 2026?
From 6 April 2026, 100% agricultural and business property relief applies only to the first £2.5 million of qualifying property per person. Above that, relief drops to 50%. Any unused allowance can pass to a spouse or civil partner, even if the first death occurs before 6 April 2026. If your plans were made under the old rules, it is worth checking they still do what you expect.
Can you help with a farm tenancy or boundary dispute?
Yes. Ian Meadows and our dispute resolution team act on agricultural tenancy disputes, farming inheritance disputes, rural residential occupancy issues and disputes between farming partners or within the family business. They also deal with contractual disputes and tortious claims, third-party rights over land, problems with title, boundary disputes, trespass and nuisance. They also act on rights of way, including Definitive Map Modification Orders and village green applications.
Accreditations and awards
The Legal 500 UK 2025 (opens in a new tab)
Nachural Summer Business Awards 2024: winner
East Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2025: shortlisted
Talk to our agriculture team
Tell us what you need and we will put you in touch with the right person.