Unlike other areas of legal practice, there is no clearly identifiable field of ‘equine law’. The law pervades all aspects of horse ownership and the horse industry and our team draws together diverse areas of experience to assist our clients in a wide range of situations.
Our team includes horse owners and riders who understand personally our clients’ concerns. This enables us to apply our legal expertise in a sensitive, practical and effective manner.
We can advise on:
Equestrian Property and Rights over Land
We have extensive experience of dealing with a wide range of property transactions. Working closely with our clients and an established network of relevant professionals, we provide a comprehensive service in situations such as:
- Acting in the sale or purchase of equestrian property, including livery yards, stud farms, riding stables and polo yards.
- Advising landlords and tenants on a variety of tenancies, and the overlap between different statutory regimes, including:
- Agricultural tenancies
- Grazing licences
- Business tenancies
- Non-commercial tenancies (with or without a residential element)
- Advising on the creation and diversion of bridleways and other access rights
- Advising on compliance with all aspects of planning and environmental regulations
Equestrian Businesses
Our team of specialists provide advice and assistance to new and established equestrian business to avoid potentially costly obstacles and delays. We can assist with:
- Setting up a new equestrian business including advice and assistance with creating a new company or other trading arrangement, working in conjunction with your accountants and tax advisors
- Acting in the sale or purchase of equestrian businesses including all relevant ancillary aspects such as dealing with the transfer of property and employees
- Preparing employment contracts and advising on employment disputes
Liabilities and disputes
Our litigation specialists deal with a variety of equine related contractual disputes arising out of situations such as the sale of horses and veterinary negligence.
In an industry which is subject to a complicated network of regulations, we can also advise on instigating, defending and avoiding claims relating to the following:
- Liability under the Animals Act 1971
- Regulations affecting domestic and commercial horse transport
- Health and safety regulations
- Personal injury claims
Bespoke agreements
Horses are priceless to their owners, whether as a crucial part of a business, or simply as a four legged member of the family. It is important to have clear terms established when you enter into an arrangement with a third party. We can prepare contracts and agreements tailored to specific situations such as:
- Contracts for the sale of horses
- Loan agreements, for short or long term arrangements
- Livery agreements (including DIY, part, full, working and competition livery)
Some examples of our work:
Acting on the purchase of a former dairy farm for conversion to a training and stud farm
Acting for a tenant on the long lease of polo stables
Updating livery agreements for various livery businesses
Contractual disputes regarding the sale/loan of horses
Access issues for horseowners including formal hunt agreements
Animals Act liability advice
