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Agriculture and estates

Expert legal advice across the agriculture sector, tailored to meet the evolving challenges of rural land and estates. 

A thriving UK farm with livestock and crops, symbolising the strength of the food and farming industry.
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The agriculture sector is pivotal in ensuring food security, safety and integrity.

The sector supports rural communities and contributes to the wider economy of the nation. Agriculture is also at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing global issues including climate change and Net Zero, natural capital, renewables, sustainable land use, and the need to feed a growing population.

We have more than 60 years of experience in food law, agricultural law and farming legal services. We have particular expertise advising on rural land and estate ownership and management, which positions us as trusted advisors to clients across the sector. We provide expertise on all aspects of the sector including health and safety, dispute resolution, environmental issues, planning, renewables, commercial contracts, food regulation, employment, and wealth and tax planning.

Our dedicated team works closely with landowners, farmers, and other rural enterprises to enhance their operations, and help them thrive in an increasingly competitive market. By staying ahead of industry trends and changes, we ensure our clients are well-equipped to navigate the nuances of the modern rural and agricultural landscape.

From property transactions to regulatory compliance, we ensure comprehensive support and guidance tailored to the needs of the food and agricultural industries.

Areas of expertise:

  • Property: Advising on land sales, purchases, mortgages and tenancies. 
  • Dispute resolution: Resolving tenancy and land occupation issues, partnership and trust disputes, contractual disputes, and product liability cases. 
  • Tax, estates and wealth structuring: Succession planning for families and trustees, transactional tax advice including CGT, SDLT, and IHT, wills, probate and matrimonial services.  
  • Strategic land: Advising landowners in development scenarios, including options, promotion agreements, hybrid agreements, and value equalisation arrangements.  
  • Environmental and regulatory: Compliance with environmental laws, including land and water contamination. 
  • Planning and CPO: Guidance on property acquisition, development, and compulsory purchase orders. 
  • Renewable energy: Advice to landowners on structuring renewable energy projects. 
  • Commercial: Comprehensive advice across the food chain, including contractual arrangements. 
  • Food and drink regulation: Navigating food safety compliance, labelling, product recall, and regulatory enforcement issues. 

Sector expertise

Agricultural disputes legal expertise by Burges Salmon, providing solutions for land ownership and tenancy issues.

Agricultural disputes

Our nationally renowned agricultural disputes lawyers provide expert and practical analysis, and resolve disputes effectively.

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Burges Salmon's farming sector legal expertise includes rural land ownership, partnership formation, and succession planning.

Farming

Practical legal advice on all aspects of farming businesses, from rural land ownership, to business and succession planning.

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Legal advice for the UK's food and drink industry, focusing on food safety compliance, agricultural law, and supply chain regulation.

Food and drink

Providing expert legal services across the food and drink sector, including food safety compliance, brand protection, supply chain management, and mergers and acquisitions. 

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Team of food and farming finance lawyers advising clients on agricultural finance transactions and industry challenges.

Food and farming finance

Expert legal advice in food and farming finance, supporting clients nationally with debt finance, including acquisition and asset financing.

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Legal experts guiding rural property transactions for landowners and farmers.

Rural property transactions

Tackling the complexities of rural property transactions with bespoke legal solutions for landowners, farmers and rural enterprises. 

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Our team

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Examples of our work

The Co-operative Group

Advised on the £247 million sale of Farmcare, including 17,000 acres, wind farms and employment and pension transfers in England and Scotland.

The Crown Estate

Acted on the sale of a 4,700 acre, multi-let, predominantly agricultural estate.

Rabobank and Lloyds Banking Group

Provided legal advice on £170 million financing for Noble Foods, integrating revolving credit facilities and invoice discounting package.

Yeo Valley

Delivered comprehensive employment law support through a dedicated helpline, addressing day-to-day HR issues for this leading dairy business.

Farming landowner in South Wales

Negotiated the development of a wind farm and solar park, maximising landowner benefits through strategic agreements with multiple developers.

Fever Tree

Guided international distribution agreements in the US and Netherlands, enhancing global market reach for this premium drinks brand through tailored commercial contracts.

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Agricultural disputes legal expertise by Burges Salmon, providing solutions for land ownership and tenancy issues.

Pink Book

The Pink Book (2nd edition) is Burges Salmon’s legal ‘bible’ for landowners and farmers. The book covers topics as diverse as buying, selling and developing farmland, estate planning, trusts and partnerships, planning and employment law, and is free to download.

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What others say

“We couldn't do what we do without Burges Salmon and their wonderful team. They are a hugely valued extension of our core team both in terms of commitment and culture. We regularly approach them for advice on wider commercial points in the rural economy.”

Chambers 2024

“We have used Burges Salmon for many years. Their speciality of landed estate work and experience with private client family complexities has always given us confidence in making long-term decisions. ”

Legal 500 2025

“Burges Salmon has a pre-eminent reputation in this field which they have maintained over many decades and which is deserved because the amount of experience and expertise they have built up over that time.”

Legal 500 2025

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Insights

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