• Farmers, landowners and rural businesses face many challenges and opportunities as a result of the swift pace of change in the agricultural sector, and the impact of Brexit and COVID-19.

    To help your business rise to these challenges, it is essential to have the support of a legal team that understands your needs and works with you to find the right solutions.

    Why choose our Agriculture and Rural team?

    Our specialist agricultural lawyers have a detailed understanding of agricultural law and the priorities relevant to traditional country landowners and farmers.

    With the diversification of the agricultural sector in recent years we also have the knowledge and understanding to support clients who run rural enterprises such as vineyards, rural tourism initiatives, and leisure and hospitality ventures. This includes legal guidance around commercial contracts, intellectual property, licensing, data protection and succession planning.

    Our team is drawn from across the firm, with expertise in a wide range of areas of the law that can affect agricultural clients. Download our Agriculture Handbook to find out more about our team of specialist lawyers. We work in partnership with you, as well as other professionals such as surveyors, land agents and accountants, to address your immediate priorities and secure your future.

    We have been advising farmers and landowners for more than 125 years and act for a number of landed estates throughout the South East. Many of our agricultural and farming clients have been with us through multiple generations.

    We also have a long history of providing legal support to educational and research institutions in the agricultural and rural sector. These include Plumpton College and East Malling Research.

    Our solicitors are members of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA), the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Canterbury Farmers Club and the British Independent Fruit Growers Association. We have also been associated with the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Kent for more than 70 years.

    We support the sector by writing a monthly column for South East Farmer, and by attending and sponsoring major agricultural events. These include the Weald of Kent and East Kent Ploughing Matches, Kent County Show and regional CLA conferences.

    Recognition of our expertise

    Brachers’ Agriculture and Rural team is highly ranked by leading legal directory The Legal 500 2024. Brachers is also rated as a ‘Leading Firm’.

    Partner Sarah Gaines was named as ‘Leading Individual’ in the 2024 directory, while Christopher Eriksson-Lee and Lee May were rated as ‘Recommended Lawyers’.

    Head of the team Sarah Gaines is ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2024 directory, along with Allis Beasley, and Partner Christopher Eriksson-Lee is ranked in the top tier of the Chambers High Net Worth Guide.

    In 2021, Partner Christopher Eriksson-Lee joined the committee of the Kent branch of the CLA, and Sarah Gaines was appointed to the board of directors of the Kent County Agricultural Society (KCAS). Allis Beasley sits on the Expert and Mediation panels of the Agricultural Law Association.

    Find out more about our awards, accreditations and partnerships.

    How we can help

    Simply expand the sections below for more information on the services and support available to you.

    • How to contact us

      Our agriculture lawyers are based in Maidstone and Canterbury and are ready to help with any legal advice you need.

      You can call us on 01622 690691, email us or use the contact form on this page.

  • Get in touch

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  • Expertise

Key Contacts - Agriculture and Rural Law:

Meet the Team:

  • They are excellent solicitors who knew their specialisms inside out.

    Chambers and Partners 2023
  • Brachers have a long history in agriculture and estates work and understand the industry extremely well. They have good expertise in IHT planning, property issues and trusts etc, which other firms struggle with. They work well in a multi-disciplinary team, with accountants and land agents.

    The Legal 500 2023
  • They are extremely professional, and always on hand to provide guidance as to the best course of action to take.

    Chambers and Partners 2023
  • The team are always professional and efficient. I never hesitate in referring clients to them and feedback that follows is always complimentary.

    Referrer
  • They have a very friendly and personal style. They are always professional, helpful and available.

    Chambers High Net Worth Guide
  • As a fellow professional they are always incredibly generous with their time in providing assistance and advice, even when it does not concern a mutual client. This regularly extends to outside of the usual hours of business.

    Referrer
  • The team are knowledgeable and responsive and have access to other teams outside of their team to provide comprehensive advice where the job diverse and requires different specialties and knowledge in order to bring jobs to a timely and beneficial conclusion.

    The Legal 500 2023
  • They are probably respected as the best in Kent with a large enough practice to cover all areas, from employment and property, to Inheritance Tax.

    Chambers and Partners 2024