Leading full service law firm Shakespeare Martineau – which has an office in Sheffield – has launched a free legal health check for farming families and their businesses.
The interactive, online questionnaire, which should take users no longer than 20 minutes to complete, aims to identify and highlight any potential issues and legal gaps that may need addressing to safeguard a farming business’ future – providing certainty and security for forthcoming generations.
This includes family arrangements – partnership issues, wills, family agreements and potential disputes – and diversification, supplier contracts, renewable energy schemes (for example solar), and business aspirations.
Head of agriculture Peter Snodgrass, who advises his farming clients on a wide variety of matters from partnerships to agricultural tenancies, said: “A regular review of your business and family affairs is good practice as circumstances and business goals change over time.
“We want to help you review your current arrangements and highlight any areas where further advice, support or action could be beneficial or required to ensure you meet your objectives and have peace of mind that all arrangements are up to date.
“Completing the user-friendly questionnaire will help provide our team with the information they need to best identify any areas of concern. Once submitted, we will review your responses and call you to arrange a free consultation meeting with one of our agriculture specialists.”
Last month, Shakespeare Martineau announced it had expanded the size of its agricultural law team to meet growing demand for its specialist legal services, including the appointments of partner Amy Cowdell, legal director Jennie Wheildon and solicitor Kimberley Brookes – bringing with them more than 30 years’ combined experience.
Peter said: “Agricultural law is a niche but highly sought-after and prestigious area of law. We are continuing to expand the team with the aim of building a centre of excellence in the country that is able to support farming businesses with all their legal requirements.”
For more information and to complete the free legal health check, visit www.shma.co.uk/market-expertise/agriculture/farm-healthcheck.
