Rural Business
BTO’s rural business team advise farmers, landowners and estates on property, company and business law and tax and succession planning. Our team advise on all legal aspects of core agricultural business matters as well as many commercial and diversification projects. We draw on the firm’s considerable expertise in specialist areas such as renewable energy, planning, insurance, health & safety, environmental claims and disputes resolution. What we do:
Agricultural: We regularly advise our clients on:
- agricultural leases
- sporting rights
- forestry matters
Diversification/Commercial: We support our clients on all manner of projects, including:
- commercial and leisure developments
- wind, hydro and biomass projects
- telecom masts
- holiday lets
- co-ownership
- minerals, precious metals and quarrying
Tax planning: We have considerable experience in capital taxes and succession planning and work with our corporate team and other advisers on setting up tax efficient structures for our clients.
Health & Safety: Our market-leading team provides pro-active advice, assistance and representation on all aspects of health & safety law. We are regularly involved at the earliest stages in the investigation of major incidents and have a wealth of experience dealing with the regulatory authorities at this crucial stage, through to representation during criminal proceedings or Fatal Accident Inquiries. We are also regularly instructed to review procedures and provide specific compliance advice.
Disputes: Our litigation experts help our clients to resolve disputes, and act for many farmers, landowners and estates involved in pursuing and defending claims.
You will be advised by highly skilled practitioners who understand your business and personal objectives and add value by offering pragmatic commercial, as well as legal, advice.
Contact: Jane Steel, Partner js@bto.co.uk / David Gibson, Partner dbg@bto.co.uk T. 0141 221 8012
Experience
- Project developments
Acting for farmers and estates in the development of renewable energy projects or the sale or leasing of land to commercial or community developers of such schemes.
- Sales of farm land
Acting in the sale of farm land for housing and commercial development and advising on planning conditions and price uplift / overage aspects.
- Negotiation of options and of contracts
Negotiation of options for sale and purchase.
Negotiating contracts, including ground and commercial leases in connection with diversification projects including leisure uses (e.g. hotels, licensed premises and golf courses).
- Agricultural leases and grazing lettings
Preparation of agricultural leases and grazing lettings.
- Negotiation of leases and lease restructures
Negotiation of leases for telecoms masts, livery yards and other subjects.
Restructuring leasing arrangements to improve tax efficiency.
- Preparation of contracts
Preparation of contracts with landowners and local authorities in relation to open cast mining, including planning issues and section 75 agreements.
- Servitudes
Dealing with servitudes for septic tanks and sewerage.
- Licenses
Acting for landowners in the preparation of licences for sporting and fishing rights and holiday lets.
- Advising on corporate issues
Incorporating businesses and advising on corporate vehicles and structures.
- Property relief
Advising on agricultural and business property relief.
