Rural law solicitors
Explore how our lawyers can help you with all your rural property and business law requirements.
Contact our teamSupporting you with expert advice on all aspects of rural life
As a rural property landowner, farmer or rural business owner your legal needs will be diverse. Our in-depth knowledge of the rural community means we can support you with all your legal requirements.
What is rural law?
Rural law refers to the legal framework that governs the rights and obligations of individuals and entities in rural areas. It covers a wide range of issues, including land use, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection. Rural law is designed to promote sustainable development and protect the interests of rural communities.
Your local experts in rural law
Whether you are looking for advice on transactions covering your rural property or farm, the management of sporting activities, agricultural tenancies, estate planning or partnership and farming structures, you will want to engage professionals with a specialist understanding of rural life.
We offer expert advice in a wide variety of areas of rural life, including supporting private landowners in their property transactions, renewable energy projects and access to a range of national and local schemes.
A combination of a deep love for, and understanding of, the countryside combined with relevant legal expertise means we can provide you with the very best rural law advice. Our rural property solicitors offer dedicated support for those who own landed estates, farmland and buildings and sizable country homes, as well as people who use their land for sporting pursuits.
Our rural lawyers specialise in the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, from agricultural tenancies and farm diversification projects to commercial agreements and regulatory compliance. Whether you run a family farm, an equestrian business, or a rural tourism venture, our rural business solicitors provide expert legal guidance to help safeguard your interests and ensure long-term success.
IHT: guidance for businesses & families
At Moore Barlow, we’re not just legal advisers—we’re passionate partners deeply connected to rural communities and the issues that matter. Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning is close to our hearts and our rural law experts can support you, your business, and your family with tailored guidance.
Why Moore Barlow?
Recognised as one of the leading rural services teams in the south, we have a deep understanding of every aspect of rural life. Having advised many clients over generations, we are experienced in dealing with all issues that can arise.
Our strong links with other professionals including agents, surveyors and accountants means we can provide you with a complete service.
Our team includes individuals who are ranked in Chambers (the independent legal directory), and are highly regarded as leaders in their respective areas of law. Our experienced team also includes those who are members or fellows of the Agricultural Law Association, the Country Land and Business Association and the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners. Our lawyers are accessible and approachable, explaining legal matters in plain, easy to understand language. We are happy to hold meetings at your home or place of business, whatever suits you best.
Contact us
Our rural solicitors are known for being approachable professional and pragmatic, with clear communication and specialists in explaining complex areas of rural law to our clients. We can arrange meetings at your home, place of business or online, whatever suits you best.
With offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking we offer specialist support to our clients both locally and nationally.
Contact our rural law team
Landed estates, rural businesses & landowning families
Download our brochure and explore more information about the rural and agricultural services we offer, and discover why we are the legal experts in this area.
Our team of rural solicitors
Charlotte Brackley
Partner | Real Estate, Landed Estates and Farming, Residential Property
Julian Parkes
Partner | Commercial Property, Real Estate, Landed Estates and Farming
Nellie van der Lande
Senior Associate | Commercial Property, Real Estate Finance, Rural Services
Louise Williams
Associate and Notary Public | Landed Estates and Farming, Notarial Services
Our latest rural legal insights
Frequently asked questions
What is rural law?
Rural law, or more commonly known as as agricultural law, refers to any of the legal needs of farmers, landowners and other rural businesses. This could be in relation to buying or selling property or land, succession planning and tax, farming partnerships or business structures, agricultural tenancies or any other countryside business matter.
What is an agricultural lawyer?
Agricultural lawyers have specialist knowledge and a full understanding of the specific challenges, issues and opportunities which affect farming and landed estate businesses and their owners. This expertise means that agricultural lawyers are ideally placed to give the very best advice to farmers, landowners and other rural businesses.
What do agricultural solicitors do?
Agricultural solicitors provide legal advice to farmers, rural landowners and farming businesses on a range of legal matters such as buying and selling rural land, succession planning, running rural sporting activities and agricultural finance.
How can our rural solicitors help?
Our leading rural team have an in-depth understanding of all aspects of rural life and are highly experienced in dealing with any legal issues that can arise in this kind of setting. This could include, but is not limited to:
- Buying and selling rural land
- Agricultural leases and licenses
- Succession planning of the Farm or Landed Estate
- Farming Partnerships and Companies
- Farming subsidies
- Agricultural finance
- Inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning for rural estates
- Rural environmental issues
- Rural sports/pursuits management
What rural areas do we cover?
Our clients stretch from Northumberland to Cornwall and with offices covering most of the South of England, including Hampshire, Surrey and beyond, we can offer specialist rural legal advice to individuals and businesses throughout England and Wales.
Our team accreditations
