Rural Land Solicitors

We provide comprehensive legal support for rural landowners

Owners of rural land typically seek to preserve its real value over generations, whilst maximising its current productivity and income generating potential.

These two outcomes are inextricably linked. To achieve them requires a deep understanding of the complex legal and practical issues involved and listening to what is important to clients. That must be combined with a robust approach to resolving problems in order to gain agreement between parties whose interests may differ.

Longmores has been doing this for over two centuries, often working across generations in the same family and with trustees. We are used to collaborating closely with other advisers such as land agents, estate managers and accountants to produce the best outcomes possible for clients, be they owners or buyers of rural estates or farmers.

Head of Rural, Victoria Sandberg, is recognised as a Leading Individual in The Legal 500 as well as team members Rachael Spalton and Richard Horwood who are ranked  as recommended lawyers. The firm is also ranked for Commercial Property, Private Client, Property Litigation and Company Commercial.

How our rural land solicitors can help

Areas in which our rural land solicitors work with clients include:

• Farm sales and purchases
• Overage clauses
• Option agreements and conditional contracts
• Letting redundant buildings
• Farming contract disputes
• Farming partnership agreements and disputes
• Removing squatters
• Employment issues
• Tax planning, trusts and inheritance
• Promotion agreements
• Solar and battery storage agreements
• Commercial contracts

Reasons to choose Longmores for rural land support

Our rural land team are all specialists, each with their own set of skills, expertise and experience. They collaborate to provide a comprehensive service for any matters related to rural land ownership or land management.

We understand that no two cases are alike. We take the time to get to know you and the issues that matter most, so we can tailor our advice to your specific circumstances. Our expertise and close collaboration with experts in other fields (such as rural land agents and accountants) means we can help clients maximise various opportunities that might otherwise have eluded them.

For over two centuries, the firm has been supporting agriculture and estates clients. Clients stay with Longmores across the generations and their services are often recommended by clients and other professionals. Being at the forefront of the rural community means their reputation extends beyond Hertfordshire into the surrounding counties of Essex, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Head of Rural Victoria Sandberg is a Leading Individual in The Legal 500 for her specialism in rural affairs and is noted for being “exceptionally smart, diligent, and efficient.” Client feedback has also praised Victoria as being proactive, diligent and calm when handling rural matters, and for her ability to deliver results within a specified timescale.

Victoria is an active member of The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch Committee. Richard Horwood and Rachael Spalton are also members. Victoria is also a member of the National Farmers Union (NFU). Involvement in the CLA and NFU, means the team keeps up to date with issues affecting rural land and their clients and they are trusted members of the rural community.

Speak to our rural land solicitors

To discuss your requirements with our rural solicitors, please get in touch.

01992 300333                     Ask a question

Our expertise with rural land matters

Farm sales and purchases

The sales and purchases of farms or rural land carry a unique set of challenges, all of which need to be carefully navigated with specialist legal guidance.

Our rural land solicitors can take you through every stage of a farm sale or purchase, ensuring that your transaction goes ahead as smoothly as possible and with minimal disruption.

Overage clauses

Agricultural land sales often include an overage clause (also referred to as clawback) which provides sellers with a potential right to receive further funds after the sale is completed if, for example, planning permission is obtained in future.

We work with both buyers and sellers to negotiate the overage clauses and we liaise with the client’s land agents regarding these.

Option agreements and conditional contracts

There may be a situation where a contract is conditional, meaning that a buyer will be required to comply with certain obligations within a specific time limit, for example, to obtain planning permission before the sale completes. In contrast, option agreements give the buyer the right to purchase a property in future but without being under an obligation to do so.

Both option agreements and conditional contracts can have major implications for buyers and sellers. Our rural land solicitors can provide bespoke advice to ensure that the agreement meets your requirements.

Letting buildings

Our rural land solicitors can advise you if you decide to let out your buildings by drafting and negotiating the arrangements you need to put in place with your tenants.

Farming contract disputes

Farming contracts can be extremely intricate, which means that disputes are a distinct possibility. Finding swift and cost-effective resolutions to these disputes as and when they arise is essential.

If you find yourself involved in a farming contract dispute, we can work alongside you to advise on the best course of action, keeping disruption to a minimum wherever possible.

Farming partnership agreements and disputes

Farming partnerships are unique, with matters such as succession planning and land ownership often causing rifts between various parties. While partnership agreements can outline the ownership of certain assets within a farming operation, helping to alleviate some disagreements, there remains a potential for conflict to arise.

Having tailored advice from our rural land experts can help resolve any potential issues as and when they arise, ensuring the partnership continues to thrive moving forward.

Removing squatters

Removing or evicting squatters can be a difficult process, fraught with potential complications. Understanding what options are available to you is essential to ensure that you follow the correct procedures.

We can advise you on your rights to remove squatters who have occupied your property, including applying for an interim possession order (IPO) where required.

Employment issues

Working closely with our dedicated employment solicitors, we can advise you in your role as an employer on matters including contracts, disputes, grievances and disciplinary procedures, redundancy and termination and tribunal representation.

Tax planning, trusts and inheritance

Estate planning is a key consideration for farmers and rural landowners. By having a carefully considered succession plan in place, you can be certain that your land and property will be safeguarded for the future.

With over two centuries of advising clients about inheritance matters, we can help you find the most appropriate course of action for your circumstances, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Promotion agreements

When a promotion agreement is in place, the developer (‘promoter’) agrees to promote the land through the planning process, to try to secure planning permission for development. There are several advantages to this so we make sure you fully understand the details and implications before proceeding.

Commercial contracts

Commercial contracts are the foundation of successful business relationships, including those related to rural land matters.

Utilising our expertise in commercial contracts, we can help you to prepare and review contracts that can also be relied on in the event of a dispute.

Speak to our rural land solicitors

To discuss your requirements with our rural solicitors, please get in touch.

01992 300333                     Ask a question