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Specialist solicitors in agricultural business

Our agricultural business lawyers have extensive experience advising farming and food sector clients on a wide range of complex issues. We work with established and growing agricultural businesses, food & drink producers and supply chain organisations that require strategic legal support aligned to their commercial objectives.

In recent years, we have seen greater consolidation across the sector and a stronger emphasis on collaboration throughout the food chain, from producers and processors to distributors and national retailers.

Our approach is to find practical ways of assisting your business with a very strong foundation in agricultural law and an understanding of the issues affecting the food and farming industry at any given time.

Contact our team

Who our agricultural business solicitors can help

We support a broad range of agricultural and food sector organisations, including:

  • Large scale farming and rural businesses with significant land, property and asset portfolios
  • Agricultural enterprises operating across multiple sites or regions
  • Food and drink producers, processors and manufacturers
  • National and regional agricultural supply chain businesses
  • Corporate and family owned agribusinesses with complex ownership, management or governance structures
  • Boards, directors and senior management teams within agricultural and food businesses
  • Businesses investing in diversification, development projects or strategic land use
  • Established agricultural brands seeking long term, trusted legal advisers

Many of our clients require joined‑up legal advice that spans corporate, commercial, property, employment, planning and regulatory matters. We regularly advise on growth strategies, restructure and succession planning, investment, risk management and high‑value transactions that are critical to the future of agricultural and food businesses.

How our agricultural business solicitors can help

We advise large agricultural businesses on the strategic management, acquisition and disposal of land and operational sites, often acting on portfolios involving multiple assets and stakeholders.

  • Sale and acquisition of farms, estates and operational landholdings
  • Agricultural leases, licences and Farm Business Tenancies
  • Options, promotion and development agreements
  • Rights of way, easements and infrastructure access
  • Land assembly for energy, utilities and infrastructure projects
  • Compulsory purchase and compensation

Planning, environmental compliance and regulatory risk are critical considerations for agri‑businesses operating at scale. Our planning and environment specialists provide strategic advice at both project and portfolio level.

  • Planning applications, appeals and strategies for agricultural and rural development
  • Diversification and change‑of‑use projects
  • Environmental permitting and regulatory compliance
  • Nutrient neutrality, biodiversity net gain and natural capital schemes
  • Environment Agency engagement and enforcement matters
  • Public inquiries and judicial review

We support agricultural businesses in resolving disputes efficiently while protecting commercial relationships and operational continuity.

  • Contract, supply chain and trading disputes
  • Agricultural tenancy and land‑based disputes
  • Business and shareholder disputes
  • Boundary, access and land use conflicts
  • Regulatory and environmental enforcement action
  • Mediation, arbitration and litigation
  • Grocery Code and Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudications
  • Challenges and / or Judicial Reviews of decisions made by Statutory Bodies and the Government

Effective cashflow management is essential for large agricultural and food businesses. We provide scalable, cost‑effective debt recovery and risk management solutions.

  • Recovery of commercial and agricultural debts
  • Fixed‑fee recovery of undisputed debts
  • Disputed debt and enforcement action
  • Insolvency advice relating to customers and suppliers

Our corporate and commercial lawyers work alongside agricultural businesses on structuring, growth and strategic transactions.

  • Corporate structures, partnerships and joint ventures
  • Shareholder, partnership and collaboration agreements
  • Mergers, acquisitions and disposals
  • Supply, manufacturing and distribution contracts
  • Advice for food production, agri‑tech and agri‑adjacent businesses

We advise both borrowers and lenders on finance arrangements supporting agricultural operations, expansion and long‑term investment.

  • Agricultural and rural finance transactions
  • Property‑backed and development finance
  • Refinancing and restructuring
  • Security over land, buildings and business assets
  • Funding for development, diversification and sustainability initiatives

Energy generation and diversification are now core components of many large agricultural businesses. Our integrated team advises on the full lifecycle of these projects.

  • Renewable energy projects (solar, wind, biogas, battery storage)
  • Private wire, grid‑connected and hybrid schemes
  • Land and commercial agreements for utilities and infrastructure
  • Carbon, biodiversity and environmental credit projects
  • Strategic legal advice on long‑term diversification

We provide employment and operational advice reflecting the realities of managing large and often seasonal workforces.

  • Employment contracts and workforce structuring
  • TUPE and business reorganisation
  • Regulatory inspections and compliance
  • Health and safety and operational risk

Why choose our agricultural business solicitors?

  • Proven agricultural heritage – advising farming and food businesses since 1888, with long‑standing relationships across the agricultural sector
  • Commercially driven legal advice focused on supporting business objectives and long‑term value
  • Trusted advisers to work with agricultural and food businesses, including nationally recognised brands
  • Strong South West presence with national reach, supporting multi‑site and cross‑regional operations across England and Wales
  • Seamless, integrated support across corporate, property, planning, commercial and disputes teams
  • Partner‑led, relationship‑focused service designed for complex organisations as well as one‑off instructions
  • Extensive experience advising on high‑value, strategically significant matters for large and growing agribusinesses

Recognition for our agricultural business solicitors

“This team is excellent with sector fluency and a down-to-earth approach. The team offers a uniquely local perspective but has been fully equipped to handle complex matters.” Legal 500, 2026

“Clarke Willmott’s client service ethic is huge.” Chambers, 2026

Contact an agricultural business lawyer

Our team of agricultural business solicitors has a strong presence in the South West and advises clients across England and Wales. To discuss your requirements, please call us on 0800 652 8025 or get in touch online.

Clarke Willmott has offices in Taunton, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester and Southampton.

Your key contacts

Tom Potts

Partner

Taunton
Tom advises at all stages of the business cycle, including company incorporations and reorganisations, shareholders’ agreements, acquisitions and disposals and fund-raisings.
View profile for Tom Potts >

Amy Peacey

Partner

Southampton
Amy helps businesses and individuals document their contract relationships with third parties ensuring their commercial contracts are legally sound and comply with all applicable laws.
View profile for Amy Peacey >

Tom Chiffers

Partner

Taunton
Tom is a Partner in Clarke Willmott’s Taunton Private Capital team, specialising in inheritance tax and succession planning for private individuals, farmers and other business owners.
View profile for Tom Chiffers >

Meet our wider agricultural business team

With seven offices throughout England and Wales, Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with a local presence. Click to learn more about our wider team of legal professionals and how they can support you.

Meet the team

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