Agricultural Regulatory

Our experienced team is on hand to help you manage, respond and defend regulatory and investigatory issues that affect your business. Across all industries, our intelligent support and practical expertise gives you the reassurance you need at a time of crisis.

Farmer cutting hay's net

Aled Owen

Partner, Agriculture, Environment and Regulatory

When it comes to rural affairs, you need someone who can speak your language. I understand the pressures and demands on the agricultural community, working with farmers, food companies, cattle dealers, waste businesses and many more to handle the regulations that affect them and keep them on track.

Rory Hutchings

Partner

As an agricultural lawyer, I have a huge interest in the work I carry out as well as farming in general. My clients have included a variety of diverse farming businesses including livestock, arable and dairy farms, agricultural cooperatives, certification organisations, agricultural shows and tourist enterprises.

Meet the team

Value-added support

Our support gives you everything you need to minimise the damage caused by the incident.

It begins with crisis management, when we can attend the incident site, manage the response with the regulatory authority and work with police if they are carrying out search warrants.

We coordinate and manage the initial legal response and reputation issues, including dealing with the press.

We resolve legal problems at courts or tribunals to conclude the enforcement in a positive manner, remaining mindful that you will need to maintain a relationship with your regulatory body going forward.

Specialist experience

Throughout, we recognise that understanding environmental science is as important as preparing submissions on legal principles. For that reason, we specialise in instructing experts and skilfully presenting technical data and issues to show how they apply to changing regulatory case laws and frameworks.

We also bring interpersonal qualities that add value to our work with you. We have longstanding and important connections in the food, farming and environmental industries. We are able to engage with people at all levels and provide clarity to anyone giving instructions.

We’re also experienced in communicating with different legal entities and how any penalties for breach might apply, giving you the wide-ranging and comprehensive support you need.

Wide-ranging and in-depth expertise

Our in-depth industry knowledge of specialist sectors means we represent clients across a range of regulatory and investigatory areas, including:

We’re also experienced in communicating with different legal entities and how any penalties for breach might apply, giving you the wide-ranging and comprehensive support you need.

Recognition of our work

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

Kathryn Gilbertson is highly regarded for her work in the hospitality and retail sectors, as well as her advice to property developers, construction businesses, and facilities management companies.

Legal 500 2025 Health and Safety

Kathryn Gilbertson is the region’s standout partner. She is ‘very committed to client service and is extremely knowledgeable regarding the law in the health and safety and fire safety sectors‘.

Legal 500 2025 Health and Safety

Thank you for your advice, council and everything else

M Shepherd Client testimonial

As well as being incredibly professional and conscientious, Ruth was also incredibly kind and reassuring. This was a very difficult time for me, which had gone on for a long time.

Ruth reassured me with her knowledge of the law but was also a caring and empathetic person to be around. I honestly would not have got through it without her. Thank you so much Ruth.

Client An inquest and with insurance difficulties

As someone who practices at the Bar almost exclusively in the area of health and safety and regulatory law … I can say that Jonathan (Edwards) has a well-deserved reputation for being at the top of his professional tree.

He has a vast array of legal knowledge and also possesses considerable tactical and strategic acumen in relation to whether or not cases should be defended….

James Leonard, Barrister Outer Temple Chambers

I have worked with Jonathan Edwards as my ‘go-to’ legal specialist for over two decades. His strong technical skills backed up by an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the insurance market make him unique and he adds genuine value off the back of this. He has a calm and friendly nature, always taking time to understand us as a business and I am truly grateful for the invaluable support he has provided me over the years.

 

Jamie Lewis, Managing Director Jensten Group Ltd

I have instructed Jonathan over many years, because he quickly grasps and focuses on the key issues of an assignment, provides strong technical advice and delivers excellent outcomes. I know he is very well regarded in the insurance market. Just as importantly, he has a really positive manner that puts clients at their complete ease. He is someone I would thoroughly recommend.

Strong technical advice

Jonathan Edwards is a tremendous asset to have on your side. He combines a forensic eye for detail with astute tactical and practical advice derived from his many years of experience. His case analysis, judgment and ability to master complicated factual and technical details with ease mark him out as an outstanding lawyer. Jonathan is always approachable and calm in even the most highly pressurised situations and he adds real value to every case in which he is instructed.

Angus Withington QC Henderson Chambers

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