Background

Agriculture & Rural Services

Rural industry and agriculture is unique – based on values and traditions that have grown over centuries whilst simultaneously being at the forefront of technology.

It is no longer enough for farmers and land owners to understand the workings of the land and the livestock that live off it; they must also be an expert on a variety of fronts. With the growth of businesses and collaborative arrangements, farmers must be confident in business management and up to date with the administrative responsibilities that accompany it.

Whether you are looking to implement one of the many enterprising and entrepreneurial ideas we continue to see from British agriculture or looking to future proof your business and family affairs, the team at Hunt & Coombs Solicitors will help you to succeed.

Our agricultural lawyers provide a comprehensive range of legal services to farmers, landowners and agribusiness specialists. Our advice is timely and practical and delivered in plain, straight-forward terminology. We build long-lasting relationships with our clients and excellent client service continues to ensure that a large proportion of our work continues to come from recommendations. Our aim is to help our clients succeed.

Hunt & Coombs Solicitors is one of the region’s leading law firms with an in-depth understanding of the issues farmers and landowners face. From our main base in Cambridgeshire we provide advice on agricultural law to a wide range of clients from farmers and landowners to corporate businesses.

Our rural and agricultural work is undertaken by a team highlighted and recognised in leading legal guides such as the Legal 500. With specialists in property and property development; tax, trust and wealth preservation services; matrimonial and other family disputes; and corporate commercial services including employment, we offer the rural sector a complete approach to the challenges and opportunities they face in one of the country’s most important (and heavily regulated) industries.

The firm’s breadth of experience enables us to understand your business better and the challenges and opportunities you face day to day.

Agriculture and Commercial Property

Our Agricultural and Rural Services Team has extensive experience of dealing with farms and land estates and the selling of agricultural and development land. The team have particular experience in relation to land development through options, promotions and associated planning matters. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Commercial Property team at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Corporate and Employment

Our corporate team can handle company issues such as restructuring, diversification and setting up of new businesses and the associated structures. We also offer day-to-day employment services for your working conditions including policies and a retainer service for those businesses requiring regular support. However, we also have the necessary litigation skills to deal with issues when they do arise. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Corporate Commercial or our Employment team at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Tax advice

We can advise you on the intricacies of all taxes which might affect your investments and business; and in particular Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief. We have individuals in our team who are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, a body recognised as providing expertise on taxation issues. Passing on assets to the next generation, whether during lifetime or on death, requires careful planning and you need to think strategically.

Wills and Trusts

Executing a Will and keeping it up to date remains a potent weapon in ensuring a smooth succession for your estate and business, but is only part of the story. We can look to the bigger picture and work with your other advisers so as to provide as complete an answer as can be achieved. That might involve setting up trusts while you are alive, or as part of your Will planning. We are recognised by the Chambers and The Legal 500 Directories as being leading practitioners in this area of work. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Wills, Trusts and Probate team at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Family

Family estates may have been in the family for generations, therefore it is an expectation that it will continue for the benefit of the children. Finding outcomes often involves solutions which meet the needs and entitlement on divorce on both sides taking into account cash flow and liquidity issues as well as the inheritance aspect. Lawyers from our family and wealth preservation teams work together to provide comprehensive advice on estate trust issues which may involve preventative measures like co-habitation or pre-nuptial agreements. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Family team at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Health & Safety and Business Defence

Our business defence team provides legal advice when facing investigation or court proceedings in a regulatory, criminal or disciplinary context. It is essential to be represented by a lawyer from the outset in a health and safety investigation so that your interests are protected and seeking early legal advice can influence the outcome from the outset. Our lawyers provide expert legal advice at interviews and are experienced at representation and defence in Courts or Tribunals. Our defence lawyers have broad commercial awareness which is complimented by the support of our in-house commercial team and experts in rural issues. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Health & Safety or Business Defence teams at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Commercial Litigation

When issues arise with FBTs and AHA tenancies, our experience of acting for farmers and rural estates enables us to help you to resolve disputes by negotiation or court action when necessary. Our commercial litigation team can help with agricultural contract disputes with buyers or suppliers, disputes with land or property tenants, general commercial disputes or boundary disputes and rights of way etc. For further information or to make an enquiry please contact our Commercial Litigation team at [email protected] or call 01733 882 800.

Agriculture & Rural Services Lawyers

Paddy Appleton LLB TEP

Senior Partner

Farhana Butt LLB

Partner - Family Mediator & Collaborative Lawyer

James Steward LLB

Associate

Testimonials

"Prompt clear and excellent advice."


Related News & Insight

Coins stacked in two piles on a table

Strategic tips when you need to enforce a judgment for payment

Guidance on how to assess the best methods for enforcing your judgment debt

Solar panels on a roof

Solar panels – generating electricity on your commercial building

The legal issues around installing solar panels on the roof of a commercial building.

Key points when negotiating a promotion agreement for your land

What you need to look out for If you own land…

How to keep out of the mire when buying a home with a septic tank

If it has off mains drainage, make sure it complies with environmental…

Contact Us

Or complete the form below:

Hidden
Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Legal 500 Leading Firm Hunt & Coombs received Investors in the Environment Green accreditation again Accreditation Law Society Children Law

Hunt & Coombs LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales, Registration no. OC320243, VAT no. 120013160. Hunt & Coombs LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with Registration no. 443035. A list of members is available at 35 Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6AG.
© Hunt & Coombs Solicitors 2023.

Portfolio Builder

Select the legal expertise that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)