Agricultural Dispute Resolution Lawyers

Agricultural disputes encompass a range of complex issues, from farming inheritance disputes and disputes between members of families farming in partnership, through competing priorities for land use, occupation arrangements and tenancy disputes and succession planning to contractual disagreements and intellectual property rights. 

Navigating these challenges requires a deep-rooted understanding of the legal frameworks as well as the unique dynamics of the sector. Our clients are often long-term stewards of their land, balancing a variety of competing interests and sustainable management goals in an increasingly challenging economic and legislative environment and within an industry with inherent risks around climate change, trading conditions and consumer demand. We understand how critical it is for our clients to have access to well informed advice and, when disputes arise, for them to be resolved efficiently and cost effectively, minimising disruption to our clients’ business and farming activity.

Our tailored services are designed to meet these evolving needs, helping our clients to avoid disputes arising where possible. Where dispute arise, we have the capability and experience to handle them effectively. Coupled with our creative and holistic approach to dispute resolution we help ensure that our clients can maintain their operations and thrive in uncertain times.

Agricultural dispute resolution

The range of issues that can arise – and give rise to disputes – in the agricultural sector are as diverse as the personalities and businesses involved. They include:

• Agricultural landownership and stewardship – protecting and managing land appropriately, and ensuring others in occupation do the same 
• Agricultural tenancies and other occupancy structures such as contact farming arrangements, partnerships and joint ventures
• Strategic land, and the opportunities it can offer for development, renewables projects, natural capital uses or diversification
• Farming and agri-businesses and rural enterprises – planning for family business succession or tenancy succession, partnership arrangements and corporate structures. We understand that, particularly for those living on holding, agricultural enterprises can represent the ultimate intersection between our clients’ personal, family and business interests 
• Family trusts holding or facilitating the use of agricultural land, and the particular factors trustees need to consider 
• Natural capital and environmental initiatives, the interplay with existing land use or restrictions and how landowners, tenants and investors might collaborate or co-operate to maximise benefit
• Business structures particularly relevant to the agricultural sector such as producer organisations and co-operatives

To navigate these effectively, landowners, farmers, rural businesses, and landowning families need access to clear, practical advice from lawyers who understand the complexities of the sector. Our team has a breadth of sector-specific expertise and knowledge as well as working seamlessly cross-firm with colleagues to draw on wider specialist knowledge from our Private Client, Private Property, Intellectual Property and Employment teams when needed. This ensures that our clients have practical, clear, pragmatic advice, to enable them to make informed decisions and achieve the best outcomes. 

Our agricultural dispute resolution expertise

Agricultural landlord and tenant disputes  

• Agricultural Tenancy Disputes
• Possession for Development or Renewable Projects
• Tenancy Diversification and Tenure Restructuring (this is currently called, Land Use & Tenure Restructuring, but I would like us to rename it please)
• Rural Residential Occupancy Issues

Rural and Agri-Business Disputes and contractual issues

• Farming Partnership and Family Business Disputes
• Contractual Disputes and Tortious Claims

Contentious probate, will and trust disputes and equitable issues

• Proprietary Estoppel Claims
• Trust and Probate Litigation

Claims related to land use

• Third party rights over land, title matters and Boundary Disputes
• Trespass and Nuisance Claims
• Natural Capital and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Projects
• Rural Payments Agency issues

Why choose us

Our specialist agricultural dispute resolution lawyers combine first class legal knowledge with extensive sector expertise from many years of working with farming families, landed estates, trustees holding agricultural property and with agri-businesses. Our clients are often long-term stewards of the land they own or farm.  We also build relationships for the long term, enabling us to fully understand our clients’ needs and objectives. Knowing what matters to our clients is key. 

Publications and articles

Legal director Maddie Dunn is the Consultant Editor of the 2023 reissue of the “Agricultural Production and Marketing” chapter of Halsbury’s Laws of England.  

Our agricultural disputes lawyers – and the wider cross-firm agricultural and rural affairs team - frequently provide insight into current legal issues affecting the agricultural sector. 

Recent articles and quotes in the agricultural and mainstream press include:  

• Maddie Dunn writes for Farmers Guardian following real-terms Defra cuts in the 2025 Spending Review
• BBC News quotes Emma Preece on a Supreme Court decision around whether people can camp in certain areas of Dartmoor without permission from landowners
• Sarah Wray writes for Farmers Guardian on what landowners might expect from the Autumn Budget
• Maddie Dunn is quoted by Circular Online in relation the impact on the farming community as Defra faces major cuts in the 2025 Spending Review
• Farming Life quotes Sarah Wray on the reform of Agricultural Property Relief announced in the UK Budget and the impact on farmers and landowners