Agricultural Law

Expert advice on drafting, renewing, and terminating tenancies, ensuring compliance with the Agricultural Tenancies Act and protecting your rights as a landlord or tenant.

Legal assistance with finance for land, equipment, or expansion, including reviewing loan agreements.

Support with buying or selling farms, farmland and property, including title checks, environmental considerations, and contract negotiations to ensure smooth and secure transactions.

Guidance on passing your farm or rural business to the next generation, including wills, trusts, and tax-efficient strategies tailored to agricultural assets.

From November 2023, all new housing and infrastructure projects must not only avoid harming the environment but also deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain – meaning they must improve habitats beyond the impact of the development.

Developers also need to prove phosphate and nitrate neutrality in line with Natural England’s guidance. Since many sites can’t meet these requirements on their own, landowners have an opportunity to offer land for habitat creation or nutrient offsetting – especially poorer quality land, which can deliver higher biodiversity gains.

These arrangements are long-term and come with risks and responsibilities. We can help you understand the rewards, liabilities, and how to get started.

From November 2023, all new housing and infrastructure projects must not only avoid harming the environment but also deliver a 10% biodiversity net gain – meaning they must improve habitats beyond the impact of the development.

Developers also need to prove phosphate and nitrate neutrality in line with Natural England’s guidance. Since many sites can’t meet these requirements on their own, landowners have an opportunity to offer land for habitat creation or nutrient offsetting – especially poorer quality land, which can deliver higher biodiversity gains.

These arrangements are long-term and come with risks and responsibilities. We can help you understand the rewards, liabilities, and how to get started.

Expanding beyond traditional farming is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you’re seeking new income streams, making better use of existing resources, or supporting family members with complementary skills, we’re here to help you navigate the legal side of your new venture – while protecting your core business.

Conservation Covenants are a new legal tool that allow landowners to commit land to long-term environmental protection or enhancement. These voluntary agreements, made between a landowner and a responsible body (such as a conservation charity or public authority), are legally binding and stay with the land – even if ownership changes.

They can support biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, and other environmental goals, making them particularly relevant for landowners looking to offer habitat or nutrient offset solutions to developers.

Entering into a Conservation Covenant involves careful consideration of the long-term implications, including land use restrictions, tax impacts, and succession planning. We can help you understand the risks and benefits and ensure it aligns with your wider business and estate strategy.

Resolution of disputes over public and private access, footpaths, and bridleways, with practical legal solutions that protect your land and operations.

Advice on meeting DEFRA and Natural England regulations, including environmental stewardship schemes, pollution control, and land use restrictions.

Support with forming, restructuring, or dissolving farm partnerships and rural enterprises, ensuring legal clarity and financial stability.

Protecting your interests when land is subject to compulsory purchase and securing fair compensation.

Heritage built up over generations can easily be lost due to poor legal planning or legal advice that isn’t tailored to the needs of agricultural families when separation or divorce arises. At Amicus Law, we have helped farming families in Somerset, Dorset, and Devon preserve assets through nuptial agreements, trusts, and tailored legal advice – ensuring that what has been built over generations stays within the family.