Farming & Agriculture Lawyers Yorkshire

Ware & Kay is recognised by many farmers as the law firm to turn to in their hour of need as well as for general advice.

With increasing regulation, compliance, tax issues, land matters, health & safety and retirement there are many factors affecting the farming community. Whatever the issues Ware & Kay have a team of legal experts ready to assist.

The team at Ware & Kay understand the legal challenges the farming community can face and can provide the expertise to give you the peace of mind you need to protect your livelihood and allow you to prepare for the future.

Together with our team of core advisors including experienced land agents we can provide you with the trusted advice you need.

The areas of agricultural work which we are well able to deal with are as follows:

• Landed Estates
• Buying & Selling Agricultural land
• Farm Business Tenancies & Agricultural Tenancies
• Farm Diversification issues
• Farming Partnership
• Easements, Rights of Way, & sporting rights
• Wills, Trusts, Probate & Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Employment & Health and Safety matters
• Wind Turbines & other renewables
• Environment & Planning Issues
• Contract Farming
• Banking & Finance via Financial Services
• Estate & Succession Planning
• Family & Financial matters
• Litigation & Disputes
• Entitlements & Stewardship Schemes Issues
• General property advice

We have a wealth of expertise in dealing with property and land matters including landed estates, buying and selling agricultural land, farm business tenancies and farm diversification issues, as well as wind farms, partnership issues and easements (such as gas, electricity or water-pipes). We can provide you with specialist advice on Tax, Wills, Trusts and Probate. In addition, we have vast experience in Employment and Health and Safety matters. Our financial services company has the expertise to advise you about investments and dealing with loans.

Ware & Kay represent clients throughout Yorkshire acting for farmers facing prosecution by the Environment Agency, Trading Standards or DEFRA investigations.

Could your agricultural land have potential for housing development?

With a housing shortage blighting our country, farmers may be tempted by the opportunity to sell off some surplus agricultural land for development purposes and bring in extra cash.

But what steps need to be taken and what are the challenges involved?

1. Engage a local land agent who will examine the land and advise you whether it has any potential for development.
2. You should check the title of the property. Scrutinise the land’s deeds to ensure you have good title and that there are no restrictions on it, or if neighbouring landowners have rights which might constrain development on the land.
3. If the land is unregistered, now is a good time to get it registered with the Land Registry. If it is registered, again check the register to ensure there are no interests registered which might interfere with development plans.
4. Think carefully about access to and from the land you may wish to sell to ensure there are no encumbrances, but also make sure that you will retain access to the land you are keeping after the other land is sold.

If the land is designated for agricultural use, planning permission will be needed to change it to residential use. This can be a complex and lengthy process and there is no guarantee of success. For more information please contact our agricultural team.

Diversification of Agricultural Land into residential and other tenancies

Higher demand for housing and higher demand for local travel among UK holidaymakers, coupled with a desire for additional income streams in the face of post-Brexit concerns, has made farm diversification into letting cottages, barns and outbuildings more attractive.

However, before setting up a new venture it is important that you do your homework and get professional advice. If you'd like to speak to someone about diversifying your agricultural land, please get in touch. 

Family & Financial Matters

As in every other walk of life, the farming community often needs help resolving family matters whether it is divorce and separation, issues concerning children, domestic violence or financial disputes.

At Ware & Kay, we provide you with the specialist advice you need and deal with matters sensitively all with the aim to minimise hostility. We do, however, adopt a robust approach when required to ensure the best outcome using strong negotiation skills.

We are members of the Law Society Family Law Panel and have a fully trained Resolution Mediator and a member in collaborative law. We support mediation as a tool to resolving matters and can ensure that you have access to this service as a matter of priority.

With Ware & Kay, you have access to specialist advice quickly and conveniently. We are dedicated to providing an efficient and cost-effective service.

Agriculture - Litigation & Disputes

At Ware & Kay, we understand that the farming community does not operate within the standard 9-5 working day and that often it is difficult for you to leave your farm to see a solicitor. That is why we recognise the importance of coming to you.

In cases of real urgency, we will provide an out of hours service and where required one of our experienced agriculture team will come to visit you at home.

We will explore all options to resolve a dispute as quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. This can involve mediation, arbitration and, if required, litigation.

Whether you have a contractual dispute with farming suppliers or a boundary and land dispute we can help.

Our specialist lawyers understand the farming community and their needs, providing you with the expertise and peace of mind you need to protect your livelihood.

Employment - Health & Safety Law

In the ever-evolving world of Employment and Health & Safety law compliance remains at the forefront. We offer the expertise and support you need to meet the increasing regulatory framework that is placed upon the farming community.

Our employment services include reviewing and drafting contracts of employment, business handbooks and health and safety procedures.

In addition, we can assist with any employment disputes that may arise including settlement negotiations and agreements and, should it be required, employment tribunals.

On health and safety, we are able to advise you so that you will hopefully not fall foul of the many regulations affecting farming. If you do get into trouble we can represent you.

Agriculture - Land and Property

The Ware & Kay team has vast experience advising on aspects of agricultural property from buying and selling estates, farms and land through to landlord and tenant disputes.

As one of the most established firms in Yorkshire, we are able to bring together the most proficient team including legal experts from our Wills & Estates department, Conveyancing together with our Landlord and Tenant teams.

Contact our Farming & Agriculture Lawyers in Yorkshire

To find out more about our Farming & Agriculture services and how we can help you, call us today on 01904 716000 (York) or 01937 583210 (Wetherby) or 01653 692247 (Malton), or complete our online enquiry form.