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Agriculture and Rural Affairs Solicitors

Our Top Tier Legal 500 Agriculture Team provides open and client-focused advice on a broad range of rural matters from farm sales and boundary issues through to succession planning and business structures. The Team is based at our dedicated agricultural office at Gadbrook Park, Northwich and operates across the whole of the North West.

Providing legal assistance to an extensive range of clients from estate owners to tenant farmers, smallholders and agri-business, we pride ourselves on building long- term relationships and get to know you and your objectives. We provide detailed, common-sense legal advice as well as practical assistance, tailored to your individual situation and needs.

Butcher & Barlow understands your business and the challenges and opportunities you face day to day. Working in collaboration with our other teams in Company and Commercial, Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution and Private Client departments we aim to become an integral part of your professional support team.

Butcher & Barlow have close links with the agricultural and farming communities as well as strong working relationships with Land Agents and other rural specialists across the region. We are happy to meet jointly with you and your other professional advisers at a location convenient to you.

If you would like to arrange an appointment to discuss your situation, whether that be by video, telephone or in person, to discuss your requirements, please get in touch with any member of our team. Alternatively, complete our enquiry form and we will call you back as soon as possible.

How can we help you?

Whether a small paddock or a hundred acres of land, our team will share the load and guide and advise you through every step of the process. We will cover everything from the fundamentals of the transaction, to looking at rights of way, overages, subsidies, and tenancies.

As rural enterprises diversify or grow, it is important to ensure that the correct business model is in place to ensure both tax efficiency and that it meets the long term needs, protecting your core assets and objectives of the business owners. Working with the Corporate and Commercial Team and your accountants, we will listen, advise and guide you to ensure you are provided with the appropriate solution for you, your family and your future generations.

Having a written agreement in place for the use of land is of paramount importance if you are to minimise the possibility of a dispute. Our team will assist with all manner of agreements from business tenancies to Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies, Grazing Licences to Sporting Rights. We also have the expertise to guide and advise on options and leases of mineral rights and renewable energy. We act for both landlords and tenants and will work with you and your land agent to achieve the outcome that best meets your objectives.

We are able to advise on and prepare or update all manner of commercial agreements from partnership agreements to contract farming agreements, distribution agreements and employment contracts. We will ensure that all parties understand their rights and obligations, and if something has gone wrong, our Dispute Resolution Team will assist in its resolution.

If you are selling land which may have a potential for future development, we will help determine the best way to ensure that your interests as a seller are protected and that you can share in any future profit. We will also advise on existing option and promotion agreements which may be unclear and open to ambiguity.

From rights of access to agreements with third parties such as utility suppliers, we will guide you through your rights and obligations, and assist in negotiating the rights you need or wish to reserve for yourself.

Whether you are considering investing in wind turbines, solar energy or biomass, our team will advise on existing and on-going projects to new emerging technologies.

Butcher & Barlow provide an all encompassing legal service to the Equine industry including horse riders, horse owners and equestrian businesses and organisations. From property matters to contracts to disputes, the team have been personally involved with the industry for years and can therefore relate to, and fully understand, the issues being faced.

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    Michael Bracegirdle

    Partner

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    Graham Gigg

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    Rebecca Jepson

    Partner

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    Meet the
    Agriculture and Rural Affairs Team

    Our people are what makes Butcher & Barlow what it is. Each one of our team is committed to building a solid, long-lasting working relationship with our clients across Bury, Manchester and Cheshire.

    Agriculture & Rural Affairs Insights

    Farm buildings and tractor

    Spring Budget for Farmers

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    Are you affected by green-laning?

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    What our clients say about our Agriculture & Rural Affairs Service

    I feel that Butcher & Barlow LLP work as a very strong and cohesive team. My experience is that the team has specialist Partners in various areas who work together to provide the best quality service they can to their clients.

    The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

    Mike Bracegirdle and the team have all done work for me, which I have been very satisfied with. Mike Bracegirdle has been expertly involved in setting up Deeds of Trust, Deeds of Variation and Partnership Agreements.

    The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

    Mike Bracegirdle and his team all seem to have a good understanding of agricultural matters and are very good at understanding a farm map and are easy to work with.

    The Legal 500 2024 Rankings

    I found Butcher & Barlow Solicitors by searching the internet. Mike Bracegirdle, Partner, made contact because of an enquiry I made to them. Several members of staff have been involved in a very complex process of selling our home, purchasing a new build property, and dealing with a rental agreement whilst we waited for our new home to be ready. Every member of staff we have dealt with, either on the phone or in person, has been extremely professional and knowledgeable. They have taken time to explain the stages we are up to and if we have been unsure on anything they have given advise. Each member of staff, including Mike Bracegirdle, have pulled out all the stops to ensure the three processes completed in a timely manner, sometimes under great pressure with tight deadlines. We cannot fault this company, excellent service every step of the way. Thank you to all involved

    Mr & Mrs Tams

    We were more than satisfied with the service. Excellent communication and very quick response to phone calls and emails.

    Mr A

    I have enjoyed working with Rebecca on many occasions. Her ability to absorb complexity to deliver simple and concise advice always impresses me.

    Ben

    Butcher & Barlow has a team that works seamlessly to provide an exceptional level of service. The billing is always transparent and fair, there appears to be a good level of diversity in the team. The knowledge within their sector is good, and the advice they give is always relevant, whether you want to hear it or not!

    Legal 500

    Mike Bracegirdle gives a fantastic personal service and is an expert in his field.

    Legal 500

    One of the partners has a farm that he is also involved in running, so he really does understand agricultural issues.

    Legal 500

    Mike Bracegirdle gives a fantastic personal service and is an expert in his field.

    The Legal 500

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