Agriculture is at the heart of Clarke Willmott’s heritage, but supporting our clients today means looking far beyond traditional farming. The sector has evolved into a much broader landscape that spans the entire food chain, from landowners and farmers through to processors, distributors and large-scale food businesses.
Taking this wider view allows us to provide more connected, commercially focused advice. It is not just about individual operations, but about understanding how each part of the food and farming ecosystem links together and where opportunities or challenges may arise for our clients.
A broader approach to agriculture
Modern agriculture is about far more than primary production. It sits at the centre of a complex network of businesses, supply chains and stakeholders, all of which require specialist legal support.
Our clients increasingly need advice that goes across multiple legal disciplines. This includes corporate transactions and restructuring, commercial contracts and supply agreements, real estate and land development, employment and regulatory compliance, as well as diversification into areas such as leisure, retail and renewable energy.
Staying connected to our clients
We believe that effective legal advice starts with a clear understanding of the sector and the people working within it. That is why we maintain a strong presence at agricultural shows and industry events across the UK. These are the environments where our clients, referrers and professional networks come together.
We are the NFU panel firm for Gloucester, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, and regularly attend events on the NFU stand where we provide free legal drop-in sessions for NFU members.
Spending time at these events allows us to build relationships and gain first hand insight into the challenges clients are facing. That understanding helps ensure our advice is grounded in the realities of the sector and reflects the issues and opportunities that matter most to the businesses we support.
Delivering practical, sector-focused advice
The agriculture and food sector is changing quickly, with increasing focus on food security, supply chains, sustainability and net zero, alongside new regulation that can affect entire industries. Developments such as the introduction of the Dairy Code have required businesses across the sector to review and update contractual arrangements, bringing complexity and increased demand for specialist advice.
At the same time, many clients are growing and diversifying, moving into new markets, developing new products and expanding their operations. This creates both challenges and opportunities, and our role is to provide clear, practical advice that supports clients as they adapt and grow.
Trusted expertise in agriculture
Clarke Willmott has one of the UK’s most established agricultural law teams and is widely recognised within the sector for its depth of expertise.
That reputation is built on long standing relationships and a genuine understanding of the industry, combined with the strength of a full-service law firm. It allows us to support clients across a wide range of legal needs while remaining closely aligned to the sector itself.
Supporting you as your business evolves
As agriculture continues to develop into a broader food and land-based economy, our focus remains on helping clients move forward with confidence.
If you would like to stay up to date with agricultural legal developments that may affect you or your farming business click here to receive our agricultural legal update newsletter.
Speak to a specialist
Whether you are diversifying your business, navigating regulation, or planning for growth, we are here to help. To speak with Esther, or a member of our agriculture sector team, please send an enquiry.
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