Agriculture & Rural Land

The Agriculture and Rural Land group at FSP leads the field in the Thames Valley for clear analysis, practical solutions and technical expertise.

Overview

For many years FSP has provided specialist legal services to the farming community and to others involved with agricultural land. Situated in the heart of the Thames Valley where agriculture remains a key and fundamental part of the local economy, our rural group advises a large number of clients on agricultural, rural, commercial and development issues affecting their businesses. This includes specialist advice on the structure of such businesses and succession planning.

Providing clear analysis and practical solutions, the agriculture and rural land group brings together the combined expertise of specialist lawyers with many years of experience dealing with the often complex legal issues relating to agricultural land.

Featured experience

The team regularly deals with sales and acquisitions of agricultural land and buildings with complex overage (uplift) provisions, along with all aspects of farm related tenancy issues include a tenant’s rights of succession and surrenders of such tenancies.

Recent work carried out by the team includes acting for a number of clients in connection with the potential future development of both agricultural land and redundant farm buildings, acting in a major restructuring of a large farming partnership with particular emphasis on succession planning and inheritance tax reliefs and dealing with a staged surrender of a substantial Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy.

The team has also recently advised a number of farming families on the transfer of land between family members to formalise ownership of land traditionally farmed by individual family members and advising a consortium of investors on the agricultural aspects of the purchase of part of a landed estate, including advice on valuable sporting rights.

“It was a very efficient service; the information was given clearly and well.”
"What makes them standout is their personal touch, attention to detail and accessibility of staff."
"All are accessible, approachable and good at assisting clients in making decisions or identifying key components of decision making for them to review with objectivity"
"They have a comprehensive team with a depth of experience and ability to deal with matters. They have excellent knowledge and attention to detail."
Legal 500 UK
"Modern, corporate approach but with friendly and personable delivery."
Legal 500 UK
"Excellent working relationship, knowledgeable, friendly, engaging and very helpful."
Legal 500 UK
"Excellent interpretation and analysis of the matter and advice. The solicitors that I deal with are very personable and good to work with."
"A diverse team with the knowledge to manage themselves and others to deliver sensible solutions."
"They have the internal expertise to cover a whole variety of specialisms."
"Well resourced team with accessible partners and concise, objective advice."
Clients say the lawyers are "approachable and effective in dealing with a wide variety of transactional matters."