UK Top 50 law firm, Birketts, is pleased to announce that its agriculture and estates team, led in the South West by Partner Edward Venmore and Legal Director Danielle Spalding, has been appointed to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Legal Panel.
The appointment reflects the firm’s longstanding commitment to the farming community and its position as one of the largest and best qualified agricultural legal teams in the UK market, with more than 50 agriculture specialists across seven offices.
As a member of the NFU Legal Panel, Birketts will provide NFU members across Devon and Cornwall with access to expert legal support from lawyers who understand the realities of farming businesses. NFU members will benefit from the firm’s extensive experience in agricultural property, agricultural tenancies, succession planning, diversification projects, renewable energy matters, and dispute resolution affecting rural businesses.
Edward, Danielle and the wider team have worked with the NFU and its members in Devon and Cornwall for over a decade. Their recent move to Birketts has enabled this longstanding relationship to continue seamlessly, ensuring that members can maintain trusted relationships with advisers who already understand their businesses and the local agricultural landscape.
Through its full-service offering, Birketts will support NFU members with a broad range of issues including:
- Sales and purchases of farms and land, including options and overage.
- Agricultural tenancy advice, including Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies and Farm Business Tenancies.
- Wills, tax planning, trusts, probate and related family matters.
- Structuring farming partnerships and succession planning.
- Renewable energy leases and diversification projects.
- Rights of way, access, minerals, and habitat or carbon offsetting arrangements.
- Specialist litigation support and dispute resolution across property, commercial and private client disputes.
- Employment, private client and regulatory advice through Birketts’ wider multidisciplinary teams.
Birketts’ agriculture and estates team is committed to supporting NFU members in Devon and Cornwall and to maintaining a strong, long-term presence in the local rural economy. This reflects the firm’s broader approach of working collaboratively with clients and understanding the specific challenges and opportunities within regional agricultural markets.
Commenting on the appointment, Edward Venmore said: “It is a privilege for our team to be appointed to the NFU Legal Panel for Devon and Cornwall and for our team to be able to continue its work for the NFU and its members. Supporting farmers and landowners is at the heart of what we do, and this appointment reflects our commitment to the rural sector and our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing farming businesses. We look forward to working closely with NFU members and continuing to deliver practical, high quality legal advice.”
NFU South Regional Director Tom Rabbetts said he was pleased with the appointment as the firm would offer a sound and professional service to farmer and grower members.
He added: “Our members are facing a host of current challenges so it’s essential we have the right firms in place on our legal panel, with strong agricultural and rural teams, to provide the support they need.
“Birketts’ agriculture and estates team has strength and depth of expertise in both farming and non-agricultural issues, and it’s excellent that they are on hand to offer such a service. NFU members also get an attractive discount if they use a panel firm.
“Farmers and growers in Devon or Cornwall can contact Birketts through the NFU with the reassurance that their case will be in safe hands. I’d like to congratulate them on their appointment.”
Key Contacts
