Agricultural Disputes - The Law and You

A one day conference - Wednesday 8th October 2008
6 hours Solicitors Regulation Authority CPD credit

Key info

Conference Venue:
Blenheim Palace
Hospitality Suite
Woodstock
Oxon OX20 1PX (map)

Date: 8th Oct 2008

Cost per delegate:
£249.00 + Vat

EarlyBird Discount: Book before 31st Aug '08 £199.00 + Vat

Or call us on 01869 347874
to reserve your place or

register interest online

Over the last decade the farming and estate sector has become much more commercially varied with farmers and estate managers diversifying into property development (conversion of farm buildings etc.) Letting (cottages, pony paddocks etc.) and other recreational pursuits (quad bikes, venture rides etc.). Farmers are therefore being forced to work within new and proliferating legislation, both UK and EU, with changes being constantly introduced making the need for up to date legal awareness and advice on agricultural matters all the more important. With many farms and estates now evolving from the traditional farms farmers can face a multitude of disputes about their land, their business and their entitlement to payment from customers and the State despite all their best intentions and precautions. This practical conference, aimed at both farmers, estate managers and their professional advisors will look at a variety of commonly occurring disputes and offer advice on dispute resolution.

The conference is aimed at:

Those involved in managing rural businesses from small private farms to large estates
Those managing the landholdings of public and private institutional bodies
This may also be of interest to Professional Advisors working with the agricultural sector:
     accountants
     solicitors
     practising surveyors
     land agents

The excellent networking benefits to this sector are extensive and are combined with an opportunity to gain a broad update and hear current argument and thoughts on key policy and endemic issues affecting the countryside today.

Conference schedule

09.30 -09.35	Welcome Chair - Charles Cowap Research Staff,Principal Lecturer in Land Management Harper Adams University College and member of RICS Rural Faculty Board
09:35 – 10:15	Employment Law Disputes The start of employment deciding on the basis of employment getting the documentation straight What you can expect of your employee and s/he can expect of you during employment Issues special to agriculture – Agricultural Wages Board/Gangmaster licencing Dealing with sickness issues in your workforce Grievances and how you should respond to them Disciplinary issues and dismissal procedures Sources of help and advice Question Time Louise Dunford LLM, LLB Barrister, Cert Ed
10:15 – 10:55	Liability to, and liability for, animals Owners’ liability towards animals Cruelty offences The duty of care and rules concerning the transport of animals. Liability of animal owners towards other people Negligence, strict liability and occupiers’ liability Christopher Price, Chief Legal Advisor, Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
10:55 – 11:10	Refreshments
11:10 – 11:50	Environmental Law disputes, including pollution, statutory nuisances, waste and environmental impact assessment cases Catherine Davey, UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) and Partner, Environment and Planning Stevens and Bolton LLP
11:50 – 12:30	Mediation – a better way to solve agricultural disputes The modern way to settle disputes Escape the stress and cost of litigation Control remains with the parties No long wait for court hearing Informal procedure Only takes one day Over 80% chance of settlement John Winkworth-Smith, Consensus Mediation
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch
13:30 – 14:10	Dealing with Disputes between the tenant farmer and the landlord Getting your communications system right – separating out personal and business relationships. Understand your contractual relationship and the root of dispute resolution. Understand the underlying Statute and case law that cross references to the dispute. Getting the facts rights – creating clarity between the parties. Understanding the opinions – where they differ, understand why. Repairs and replacements – avoiding what should be an unnecessary dispute. Rent reviews – getting a clear structure and focus. What is good husbandry in 2008? What is sound estate management in 2008? Hugh Fell – Managing Partner of George F White and member of the RICS Rural Faculty Board
14:10 – 14:50	Foot and Mouth Disease Compensation Update and Dealing with Regulatory Prosecutions Foot and Mouth Disease Compensation Why are we talking about compensation? Fault Reports Who are the likely Defendants? Who might get compensation? Infected Premises Dangerous Contacts Pure economic loss cases Nature of the losses Current position Regulatory Prosecutions Examples of prosecutions The PACE interview The prosecution decision The Court procedure Penalties Peter Cusick, Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons, Partner, Head of Agricultural Litigation
14:50 – 15:05	Refreshments
15:05 – 15:45	Contract Disputes – general agriculture related litigation Basics of Contract Contractual Disputes Remedies to Contractual Disputes Examples of Contractual Disputes in Agriculture Cautionary Tales Hot Topics Guy Harvey, Partner, Dickinson Dees
15:45 – 16:25	Possession Claims, removal of trespassers, boundary disputes and rights of way Possession Claims Agricultural Holdings Act and Agricultural Tenancies Act Removal of Trespassers Injunctions – procedure Rights of Way How are they acquired? Limitations Enforcement Boundary Disputes What it means? Practical resolutions Henry Mendus, Head of Darbys Commercial Litigation Team Nick Wright, Associate, Darbys
16:25 – 16:30	Roundup and Close by Chair
16:30 – 17:15	Guided tour of The Palace - Optional

Or call us on 01869 347874 to reserve your place