Agriculture
Oxfordshire’s agricultural and rural law specialists
We understand that the agricultural and rural life sector is special and unique. The business of farming is unlike any other. It is deeply rooted in tradition, yet constantly evolving under the pressures of modern regulation, economics, and environmental stewardship.
Whether you are managing a family estate, running a commercial agribusiness, or looking to diversify your land use, you need legal partners who see you and your needs clearly to cultivate the right solutions.
Our team is the regional specialist in agricultural and rural law, with lawyers either from farming backgrounds or who live in rural communities. We provide comprehensive rural law advice to farmers, landowners, rural businesses and high net worth individuals with the highest quality legal expertise, insight and support. Combining specialist legal knowledge with a genuine understanding of rural life, we help our clients protect what they have built and plan confidently for future generations.
Our Agriculture team is led by rural legal specialist, Guy Stephenson, with a team of dedicated agriculture lawyers who have over 60 years of combined experience and are also members of the Agricultural Law Association.
We work collaboratively and inclusively with our Corporate, Private Client, Commercial Property, Employment, Residential Property and Family departments, as well as other specialist professionals to support you whenever you need us.
Comprehensive Legal Services for the Rural Sector
Our agricultural solicitors have wide-ranging expertise that covers all facets of rural land and business management. We understand that every acre counts and every decision impacts the future of your farm, land or estate. Ask our farming law specialists about:
Transactions involving agricultural land are significantly more complex than standard conveyancing. We handle farm sales and purchases with meticulous attention to detail, addressing critical issues such as sporting rights, unregistered land, and TUPE implications for farm employees.
Our expert solicitors can assist with setting up and restructuring farming partnerships, limited companies, and joint venture arrangements. Our team also specialises in drafting robust contract farming and share farming agreements that clearly define roles, risks, and profit-sharing.
Rural land ownership comes with a unique set of obligations. We guide you through these regulations, including rights of way disputes, wayleaves and easements for utilities, and compliance with environmental schemes. Our team will work with you to balance your rights as a landowner with your responsibilities to the public and the environment.
When conflicts occur, they can disrupt operations and damage relationships. Our dedicated dispute resolution team handles boundary disputes, tenancy disagreements, and nuisance claims with a focus on achieving a swift, cost-effective resolution.
Passing the farm on to the next generation is often the biggest challenge a farming family faces. We facilitate sensitive conversations around succession planning and restructuring, balancing the needs of the retiring generation with the vision of the new one. Our team can also help ensure a fair provision for non-farming children.
Are you hoping to develop your existing land? We advise on option agreements, promotion agreements, and overage arrangements to ensure you maximise value when selling land for development, all while protecting your retained property.
Agricultural tenancies are complex, but our solicitors provide expert advice on the matter. We offer advice on both creating and terminating tenancies, including grazing licences, Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs), and the complexities of succession rights under Agricultural Holdings Act (AHA) tenancies.
Modern farming often involves complex supply chains and commercial relationships. We draft and review commercial contracts for the supply of goods and services, ensuring your business interests are protected and disputes are minimised.
Protecting agricultural assets for future generations requires specialist knowledge of tax reliefs and other legal issues. We work closely with our Private Client team to draft wills and wealth plans that minimise tax liability and secure your family’s future.
Rural residential property transactions often involve specific quirks, from private drainage systems to listed building status. We offer a bespoke conveyancing service for high-value country homes and work to deliver a smooth process that addresses all the unique aspects of rural living.
If you would like to find out more information before
instructing us, we offer two options for initial queries
Talk to us
Let us guide you through your agriculture legal needs, call Guy Stephenson, Head of Agriculture on 01295 204122 to start a conversation. He would be delighted to hear from you.
Submit an online enquiry
Let us know your legal needs, complete the form to tell us your requirement and we shall respond to you with how we can help.
Why Choose SE-Solicitors
Understanding
We’re from your world and so approach you with a belief that relationships really do matter, right down to our deeply personalised and hands on approach.Expertise
Using our 57 years of agriculture law expertise, we support you to manage the unique complexity and values of your personal and business interests smartly.Insights
Naturally strategic, we’re able to see the bigger picture beyond the land itself, and so solve problems and realise opportunities more effectively.Agility
Always responsive, with a solutions orientated mindset, we get to the heart of the matter fast, enabling you to reach positive outcomes more quickly.Meet our Agriculture Law Experts
Secure your future with SE-Solicitors
Farming and rural property ownership are built on generations of hard work, tradition and stewardship, while continuing to face evolving market pressures, regulatory change and new opportunities. Based in Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, our team is proud to provide high quality legal advice to clients throughout the area. Don’t wait to address your concerns, contact us to schedule a meeting today.
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