Our agricultural team is one of the largest and most respected in the UK, and within that is a dedicated group of lawyers specialising in agricultural disputes. We combine deep sector knowledge with practical dispute‑resolution expertise, helping clients resolve issues efficiently and avoid disputes escalating wherever possible.
Across Birketts, we have lawyers with extensive experience in the sector who understand the challenges and opportunities it faces.
We understand that disputes can place real strain on families, businesses and long‑standing relationships. Our role is to help our clients navigate those issues carefully and decisively, resolving problems early wherever possible, and providing clear, robust advice when formal proceedings are required.
Our teams can help with a range of disputes, such as:
- Partnership, succession and estoppel disputes – succession planning in farming families is essential. When it has not been done or has gone wrong, we can help fix it.
- Tenancies – we advise landlords, tenants, banks, charities, and developers on the full range of issues arising out of tenancies of agricultural land.
- Property disputes – we advise on a range of issues, including adverse possession, rights of way, common land, and boundary disputes.
- Regulatory– including environmental, and health and safety.
- Natural capital – the evolving natural capital markets present both challenges and opportunities. We can help when problems arise.
- Judicial reviews.
- Contract disputes.
- Contentious probate.
Our Experience
In March 2025, the Government shut the Sustainable Farming Incentive without warning. Acting for over 30 farmers across England and Wales, Edward Venmore, Danielle Spalding, and Arron Jolliffe threatened judicial review proceedings against DEFRA. In March 2025, the scheme was partially reopened, allowing over 2,500 applications to be completed with a cumulative benefit to the farming business involved estimated at over £37 million.
Acting for a partner in a diversified farming business who was in dispute with his fellow partners over the future direction of the business and succession planning. We advised on options to end the partnership and successfully divide assets.
Advising on, and drafting complex documentation to enable an estate client to recover possession of a substantial agricultural holding for development purpose.
We represented the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council in defending judicial review proceedings brought by Wild Justice concerned alleged failures to issue livestock limitation notices on Dartmoor.
Edward is really on top of his game. He fights his client’s case powerfully, but also in a sensible and pragmatic way, and always gets good results.
Chambers [UK 2026]
Agriculture Disputes Insights
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A guide for rural landowners and farmers on the Land Use Frameworklegal updateA guide for rural landowners and farmers on the Land Use Framework
Danielle Spalding10 Apr 2026 -
Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 – welcome clarity, but key budget questions remainlegal updateSustainable Farming Incentive 2026 – welcome clarity, but key budget questions remain
Danielle Spalding, Edward Venmore3 Mar 2026
