Succession planning is an essential part of running a family farm business. Effectively planning for the future allows you to protect your assets, safeguard your business, ensure continuity and provide for your family. Succession planning in the farming industry is also vital to the sector's viability as a whole. In this post, we look at some of the key things you need to consider when succession planning for your farming estate.

The Welsh Government finalised their policy and strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management on 5th November 2020, replacing the previous 2011 strategy.

What security an existing allotment holder has, what terms should be included in a new allotment agreement and what are not allowed?

A new law is now available to tackle the problem of fly-grazing in England (other, recently passed laws apply in Wales). The grazing of horses (which includes mules, asses and hinnies) on private or public land without permission has been a serious problem for land owners for some years. According to animal welfare charities it involves around 3,000 horses across the country at any one time.

The H&H has reported the latest outcome in a long running dispute over the sale of a horse which has so far apparently cost the seller over 50 times the sale price.  The case appears to have turned into a dispute about whether the apparent seller was in fact selling the horse as an agent for someone else.  A huge amount of court time has been spent deliberating about what the three protagonists – owner, seller and buyer – thought was happening. The appeal court has now sent the case back to the county court to make an objective assessment according to the laws of agency as to which were in actual fact the contracting parties.

My recent blog on Dartmoor rights of way and my article in Exmoor Magazine have attracted questions about other frequent users of these bridleways – dogs.  Thankfully, most dogs are not aggressive towards horses but there have been some very frightening incidents which appear to be on the increase.  There are laws to encourage people to keep their dogs safely under control and provide a remedy for anyone injured by a dog.  What happens if a horse is injured?

Getting a horse for Christmas? Lucky you. Now all you need is a stable – but do you need planning permission?