Agriculture & Renewables.
Whether you are a landowner, a tenant, or just need advice on rural legal issues, we have years of first-hand experience of agricultural law.
The legal challenges in the agriculture and renewables industries are unique.
You can rely on us to understand.
FBC Manby Bowdler is recognised annually as having the leading specialist law team servicing the agricultural sector in the West Midlands, Shropshire and beyond - with most of our advisors actually heralding from farming families themselves.
Whether you are a landowner, a tenant, or just need advice on rural legal issues, we have years of first-hand experience of agricultural law and have a specialist legal team available.
Our agricultural team not only possess a wealth of relevant experience in regards to rural legal matters, they continue to keep themselves up-to-date with the evolving legislation and changes to agricultural & farming laws.
We advise on issues including work on freehold land sales and purchases, Landlord and Tenant (and in particular agricultural holdings and farm business tenancies), town and country planning, inheritance tax planning, litigation with regard to trespass, rights of way and adverse possession and company & partnership work.
Our expert agricultural & rural advice covers:
Land sales and acquisitions including farm and estate sales & purchases
Succession planning
Inheritance Tax Planning
Finance including advice on legal charges and independent legal advice for lenders
Agricultural tenancies including advice in relation to Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies, farm business tenancies and agricultural work tenancies
Partnerships including partnership agreements and restructuring
Joint Ventures including grazing agreements, share farming and contract farming
Diversification including business tenancies, renewables and mines & minerals
The Common Agricultural Policy including advice in relation to Single Farm Payments (SFP) and environmental stewardship
Equine matters including livery agreements and equestrian leases & licensing
Sporting Rights including registration and shooting & fishing licences
Farm and estate management including access, water, residential tenancies and service occupancies
Working With Our Sector Team
Always working in partnership with you, we are thorough, focused and committed to exceeding client expectations. Over the years, our rural legal team has helped dozens of farmers, farm employees, and other members of the public, with relevant agricultural disputes & legal issues that require the services of a highly experienced agricultural law solicitor.
- Sarah Baugh
If you have an enquiry in relation to an Agricultural issue or simply want to speak to a member of our expert team, please get in touch.
Legal 500 2024: The Agricultural & Rural Services Team were recognised as a Top Tier team in the West Midlands.
Sarah Baugh leads a ‘strong‘ and 'readily accessible' team at FBC Manby Bowdler LLP that continues to be busy advising on various major acquisitions, disposals and funding arrangements for land and property. Other core areas of expertise include advising on farm diversification, renewable energy projects and providing partnership advice. In addition, it is skilled at advising on mineral and sporting rights and is adept at handling agricultural litigation. The agile team also regularly works with farm owners on trusts, probate and tax planning matters. Tom Devey plays a pivotal role in the department too.
Partners, Sarah Baugh and Tom Devey are both recognised as 'Leading Individuals'.
- "The Agriculture and Estates team at FBC know their clients exceptionally well, their breadth of knowledge and experience is excellent with them being able to draw on specialist individuals. Everyone is professional and easy to get on with and are easily contactable".
- "Tom Devey – experienced, professional, detailed, concise but still friendly. He has been pivotal in the completion of a difficult purchase from a family member where perseverance, diligence and knowledge were vital in getting a complicated matter resolved".
To find out more about our rankings, please click here.
Chambers UK 2024: The Agricultural & Rural Services Team were ranked in the Agriculture & Rural Affairs category within The Midlands.
FBC Manby Bowdler has offices throughout the West Midlands, from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury. Its well-regarded team is adept at advising on the sale and purchase of agricultural land, agricultural tenancies, diversification opportunities and renewable energy schemes, as well as mineral and sporting issues. It also has expertise in equestrian transactions and can assist private clients with tax-efficient structuring and succession planning.
"They have an excellent team, very good depth of expertise and in-house specialists are on hand."
"They have a good and broad knowledge of complex legal situations."
To find out more about our rankings, please click here.
ALA Fellowship: The ALA promote understanding and development in Agricultural Law and related areas and awards the Fellowship, it's highest qualification, to those who have passed an advanced exam.
Awarded to Sarah Baugh, Tom Devey and Anna Russell. To find out more, please click here.
