Rural & Agricultural Business

Herrington Carmichael is a full service law firm offering legal advice to UK and international businesses as well as individuals and families.
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Rural & Agricultural Business

Our Agricultural Corporate team understands that farming and rural businesses are unlike any other sector. We combine corporate legal expertise with a detailed understanding of land-based enterprises, family ownership structures, and the challenges facing modern agriculture.

Led by Lucinda Cameron, our team advises farmers, landowners, agri‑businesses and rural entrepreneurs on a wide range of corporate matters. From business structuring and partnership arrangements to mergers, acquisitions and ownership transition, we provide commercially focused advice tailored to the agricultural sector. 

We regularly work alongside land agents, accountants, tax advisers and other professionals to deliver holistic solutions that protect both the business and the family behind it. Whether you are diversifying, bringing in the next generation, or planning for a sale, we offer clear, pragmatic guidance. 

Our approach is practical, accessible and grounded in an understanding of the long-term nature of rural businesses. 

Drafting and advising on partnership agreements to clearly regulate family farming relationships, ownership, management and profit-sharing, and to provide long-term certainty and stability for multi-generational partnerships.

Whether acquiring neighbouring land-based businesses, investing in a rural enterprise, or selling your farming operation, we provide support and strategic advice throughout the transaction process.

Farming businesses are frequently shaped by changing family and management dynamics. We assist clients with the introduction of new partners, retirement of existing partners or stakeholders, ownership restructures and continuity planning, helping to ensure the long-term strength and stability of the business.

Many agricultural businesses are subject to the default provisions of the Partnership Act 1980 which fail to address the complexities of modern farming businesses, family ownership structures and rural enterprises. We help clients implement governance arrangements that provide clarity around management responsibilities, decision-making, profit-sharing and ownership changes.

Key contact

Lucinda-Cameron-PNG
Lucinda Cameron
Solicitor

Insights

Get valuable insights from our articles.

Farmer cooperation banner, Investments in livestock business. International farm collaboration and help in industry cattle on background barn with cow
The Herrington Carmichael Corporate team advised the partners of a long-established family farming partnership on the preparation of a bespoke…
Love, happy family walking holding hands and on a farm with blue sky. Support or care, happiness or agriculture and people walk outdoors by countryside or rural environment together with generation
Trusts have historically been a cornerstone of succession planning for UK farmland owners, allowing families to preserve agricultural land, manage…
Tractor ploughs field
Farming businesses are unique. They often combine family life, land ownership, livestock management, machinery investment, and complex financial arrangements within…

Meet our experts

Dedicated professionals ready to assist you.

Liz Hailey PNG
Partner, Head of Real Estate
Jamie-Lynch-PNG
Partner
Nicole Miller PNG
Legal Director
Amery Harilal PNG
Solicitor
mellisa v2
Solicitor
Lucinda-Cameron-PNG
Solicitor
Harriet Page PNG
Solicitor
Sophie Darwish PNG
Solicitor
Kate Hooper PNG
Senior Apprentice Solicitor
William Chapman PNG
Trainee Solicitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and processes.

This depends on the structure of the business (an incorporated company or a partnership), tax considerations, and risk allocation.  Early advice is key to structuring the transaction appropriately. 

Exiting a business is determined by the relevant agreement adopted and legislation governing the business model.  Partnerships are legally governed by the Partnership Act 1890, but can be overridden by a partnership agreement where express provisions may be included regarding exit.   

In short – yes.  The intentions of the partners should be clearly drafted and set out in a formal written partnership agreement.

Timescales vary depending on complexity, but considerations on land and matters identified within due diligence are key factors which determine the timescales of an agricultural transaction.  Early preparation can help streamline the process. 

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