Sales and purchases

When buying or selling agricultural properties, we understand the issues and have the expertise to guide you through the process.

Transactions involving agricultural land are becoming increasingly complex. In addition to the procedures involved in the sale or purchase of any property, there are issues ranging from stewardship schemes and subsidies, through environmental and water abstraction licences, to farm business and Agricultural Holdings Act tenancies.

Our team are experienced in advising on all of these matters, whether dealing with the sale of a single field or the purchase of a portfolio of estates across the country.

We understand what is needed to protect your position and to enable you to achieve your objectives.

Our experience

Advising landowners has always been a core part of our business. This experience gives us an immediate understanding of the challenges that you are likely to face and what will be necessary to achieve your objectives. A prompt response to any issues which may arise is only possible when you understand the problems and have the skills to address them.

Recent examples of our experience include:

Dealing with all aspects of the sale of Strutt and Parker (Farms), Ltd, a company farming approximately 30,000 acres, including two anaerobic digestion plants, a natural burial ground and wind and solar farms.
Completing the purchase and leaseback of a complex agricultural estate in Nottinghamshire, including a development agreement, new FBTs and pre-emptions.
A sale for Christ Church Oxford involving the surrender of an AHA tenancy and restructuring of a new tenancy, with complex employment, tax and overage issues.
The purchase of an estate comprising approximately 2,200 acres and involving agricultural and residential tenancies, and fishing and shooting rights.
Assisting the owner of a landed estate with a the re-development of redundant estate buildings and subsequent sale of innovative residential units.

Did you know?

Legal directories

We consistently achieve top rankings as a team and the expertise of many individuals is also acknowledged.

Co-op Farms

The breadth and depth of experience in our team enables to deal efficiently with the largest and most complex transactions.

£200million+

One of very few teams with the resources to collate and co-ordinate the information for a transaction of this size.

What our clients say about us?

“I have always found them to be highly professional, very competent and very effective at what they do. If I want something done right, I will go to Mills & Reeve. ”

Client feedback

Chambers UK

Our clients

We work with traditional farmers, landowning Oxbridge Colleges, pension funds, landed estates and leading agribusinesses. Those that can be named include:

Strutt & Parker (Farms), Ltd
Wellcome Trust
Barclays Bank
Christ Church College, Oxford
Greenyard
Albanwise

Our lawyers

Our team's understanding of the sector, and experience of dealing with a wide range of landowners, enables us to deal with transactions in a timely, efficient and client-focused manner.