Taxpayers should always ensure that they keep up to date with their tax affairs and obtain any assistance they need in meeting their obligations. This point was demonstrated in a recent case in which the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) dismissed a taxpayer's...
Farming and rural business today bring a unique set of challenges, from rising costs and changing regulations to long-term planning for the next generation. Whether you are buying or selling land, managing tenancies, structuring your family farm, or planning for your future, having the right legal advisors makes all the difference.
At Tanners, we understand farming because many of our team come from, or relate to, farming families themselves. We know first-hand the pressures that come with running a farm or an agricultural business, balancing tradition with modern business demands, protecting assets for future generations, and making sure everything is legally secure.
With a long-standing presence in Cirencester, Cheltenham, and across the Cotswolds, we work with farmers, landowners, and rural businesses, providing practical legal support, with no jargon or time wasting, that helps keep everything running smoothly, now and for the future.
You will have a dedicated contact at our firm who will get to know you and your business, meaning that whenever you need a question answered or some quick advice, there will be someone available who understands you and your needs
Our team can assist with farming and agricultural property law matters, including:
- Buying and selling farms, farmland, and estates
- Buying and selling equestrian properties
- Gifting land and property
- Secured lending and refinancing
- Farm business tenancies and agricultural holdings
- Overage and option agreements
- Resolving disputes over public and private rights of way
We also help with a wide range of legal support for family farms and agricultural businesses, including:
- Structuring family farms and agribusinesses
- Reviewing and drafting commercial contracts
- Reviewing and drafting employment and service contracts
- Advising on matrimonial and family law matters
- Farm succession and inheritance tax planning
Want to chat with one of our agricultural law team?
We’ve got offices in Cirencester, Cheltenham and London, or you can call us a call on 01285 659061, or alternatively fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you.
Our farming and agricultural property services
Buying and selling farms, farmland, and estates
Buying or selling agricultural land and estates involves complex legal and financial considerations, which we understand better than most because many of our team have direct experience with farming life.
With decades of agricultural land law experience working with farmers, landowners, and rural businesses, we understand exactly how to efficiently handle a wide range of agricultural property transactions. Whether you are buying, selling or leasing your property, we can support you throughout the process, ensuring you are legally protected and your transaction completes smoothly.
Buying and selling equestrian properties
When buying or selling equestrian properties, it is advisable to instruct a specialist solicitor with knowledge of the legal rules and regulations in this sector. We can assist with matters including land use regulations, planning permissions, and business considerations.
Whether you are purchasing a riding school, stables, or private equestrian land, we will provide legal advice tailored to your needs and circumstances. Our team can also assist with property contracts, rights of way, and local planning compliance, amongst other areas of rural law.
Gifting land and property
Gifting property or land can be an effective and tax-friendly way to pass assets to charitable organisations or family members, but it must be done in compliance with certain regulations to avoid unnecessary tax liabilities.
Our agricultural law solicitors provide expert advice on inheritance tax planning, capital gains tax implications, and ways of ensuring your legal security. We will take steps to safeguard your intentions for future generations whilst making sure your estate is structured correctly for gifts.
Secured lending and refinancing
Using farmland or rural property as security for loans requires careful legal structuring to protect your assets while ensuring compliance with lender requirements.
We can advise on refinancing options, secured lending arrangements, and the wider legal implications of borrowing against your land. Our team will make sure that any agreement you enter into is fair, transparent, and aligned with your financial objectives.
Farm business tenancies and agricultural holdings
It is important to instruct a specialist solicitor to review your agricultural tenancy agreements as they are subject to strict legal protections and regulations. The implications of a poorly managed agricultural tenancy agreement can undermine your entire rural operations and make you vulnerable to penalties under farm business law.
Whether you are a landlord or tenant, we can provide expert advice on drafting and negotiating farm business tenancies, agricultural holding agreements, and dispute resolution. We will prioritise your long-term security, protecting your interests in landlord-tenant relationships, and compliance with agricultural tenancy laws.
Overage and option agreements
Overage and option agreements allow landowners to benefit from future increases in land value, particularly when development opportunities arise. We ensure these agreements are structured correctly to protect your financial interests and ensure compliance with planning and legal requirements.
Resolving disputes over public and private rights of way
Disputes over rights of way can quickly become contentious, potentially affecting your property access, land value, and development potential. Our solicitors can assist farmers, landowners, and rural businesses in resolving access issues, negotiating agreements, and clarifying legal responsibilities. We will work proactively to anticipate issues before they arise, ensuring everything is legally sound and structured properly.
Our agricultural business and family legal services
Structuring family farms and agribusinesses
For sole traders, partnerships, or limited companies, it is vital to ensure you have the right legal structure to protect your farm or agricultural businesses from tax inefficiencies or instability.
We can provide family legal advice to help you navigate farm law and rural law regulations. Our expertise in agricultural property law and farm business law ensures you can focus on helping your farming business thrive, whilst we manage the legal aspects.
Reviewing and drafting commercial contracts
Strong commercial contracts are a key tool for protecting your farm or rural business from disputes that could derail or prevent progress. We understand how important it is to overcome delays with a fast turnaround and provide clear, practical advice without legal jargon. With clear commercial contracts, we aim to preserve your long-term business relationships and protect you from legal issues in the future.
Reviewing and drafting employment and service contracts
Employee management in the agricultural sector requires compliance with employment law for farms. We regularly assist with drafting and reviewing employment and service contracts for staff of all sorts, including full-time, seasonal, and contractors, ensuring legal protection for both employees and employers.
Advising on matrimonial and family law matters
Farm succession planning and inheritance tax for farmers often overlap with matrimonial and family law. We will ensure that your farming assets are protected in cases of divorce, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and estate division. Our tailored legal strategies will help you to protect your assets no matter what the future holds.
Farm succession and inheritance tax planning
We recognise that planning ahead is crucial in the farming business. Our experts provide strategic legal advice on farm succession planning and inheritance tax for farmers, ensuring a smooth transition of agricultural assets to the next generation. Our team can assist in structuring estates to minimise tax liabilities and make sure that your farm is fully compliant with agricultural law, farm law, and rural law.
Why choose Tanners for agricultural and rural law?
Farming is more than just a business, it’s a way of life, so we don’t just offer legal advice; we offer practical, informed guidance that considers the real challenges farmers and landowners face every day.
- First-hand farming knowledge – Many of our agricultural team have direct experience of farm life and understand the pressures that come with it.
- Decades of agricultural law expertise – We work with farmers, landowners, and rural businesses across the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and beyond.
- A proactive, practical approach – We always try to anticipate issues before they arise, ensuring everything is legally sound and structured properly.
- Long-term relationships – We work with families across generations, ensuring their farms and businesses are protected for years to come.
- Clear, practical advice – No legal jargon, just straightforward support that helps you get the right outcome with minimal disruption.
Speak with our agricultural law solicitors in Cirencester or Cheltenham today
If you need expert legal advice for your farm, land, or rural business, we’re here to help. We can meet at your farm, at our offices in Cirencester or Cheltenham, or via phone or video call, whichever suits you best.
Call us on 01285 659061 or fill in our contact form to arrange an initial discussion.