Agribusiness

Baines Wilson LLP are well known for the provision of pragmatic and commercial advice to businesses in Cumbria and throughout the UK. Indeed, for over thirteen years this approach has proven to be a cornerstone of the firm’s success.
 
However, whilst we are not a firm always associated with the agricultural sector, we have acted for some of Cumbria’s larger farm businesses since the firm’s inception back in 1999, and still do.

We also act for some of the leading local and national businesses involved in the agriculture services sector; whether they are suppliers of agricultural machinery or foodstuffs or fuel etc or alternatively purchasers and/or processors of agricultural products.
 
We may have been guilty of "hiding our light under a bushel" in this context.
 
However, given the work we have done and the work we are now doing and the clients we have, and also how the agricultural sector continues to commercially evolve , we have now formalised a team dedicated to Agribusiness. 

Approach

We aim to apply our legal knowledge and experience to meet our clients' objectives and to make things happen for them, whilst at all times ensuring that our advice takes into account practical and legal realities.
 
The team collectively brings over 45 years of practical commercial legal experience to the table. For example, John Wilson first worked on renewable projects in the late 1980s and purchased his first major agricultural sector business in 1992. We are not jumping on a bandwagon in this context like some other law firms.
 
Our commercial expertise allied to our legal knowledge can give businesses the cutting commercial edge needed to make a project work or a contract or deal reach a successful conclusion.
 
Our advice will always be pragmatic and realistic.  

Lawyers

The Agribusiness Team is made up of:
Commercial Partner John Wilson who deals with the corporate and commercial aspects including renewables projects, commercial agreements and acquistions and disposals of businesses and companies;
Employment Partner Joanne Holborn who deals with the employment law issues;
Commercial Property Associate Duncan Harty who deals with property related matters including purchases, sales and tenancy work.
 
Aside from their substantial combined legal and commercial experience (forty five years plus), the Team can draw upon the resources of the firm’s other departments when necessary.
 
Services
 
The range of services the Agribusiness Team provides includes: - 
 

  • Farm and Estates sales and purchases
  • Energy schemes (including wind turbines, hydro and biogas)
  • Purchase and sale of agricultural sector businesses and companies
  • Utilities easements and wayleaves
  • Partnership and business advice
  • Advice on the full range of commercial agreements, including long term supply agreements 
  • Joint Ventures
  • Employment
  • Landlord and Tenant
  • Intellectual property and branding

 
For information on any of our services please contact any member of the Agribusiness Team.