We launched our agricultural law podcast, Talk Farm, with a special episode following the October 2024 Budget and the news that Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief would be significantly diminished.

Seven months on, the government’s technical consultation into their proposed Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) has drawn to a close and there’s no U-turn in sight.

HCR Law submitted a response to the technical consultation into how trusts will be impacted by the developments and has spoken directly with HMRC about the proposed changes.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Partner and host James Frankland is joined once more by Lisa Millington, Partner and Head of our Agriculture Private Client team.

This time, their discussion focuses on looking forwards, examining how farming families can adapt post Budget.

Tune in to hear James and Lisa discuss:

• A recap of the proposals, as set out in the October Budget

• Is there any good news?

• When is the draft IHT legislation expected?

• Will lobbying efforts continue?

• How might you mitigate the impact of IHT changes?

• Does life insurance have a place now?

• What’s the ‘least worst’ scenario for my farming business?

HCR Law’s large team of agricultural lawyers includes several specialists dedicated to succession planning matters. If you have a query about how changes to inheritance tax will affect you and what you can do about it, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, Partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. Learn more about our services for agricultural clients.

In this special episode of Talk Farm, HCR Law joins forces with the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (“RASC”) to share perspectives on all things agriculture from beyond our shores.

We are joined by Chris Riddle, a Trustee of the RASC and former CEO of the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. The RASC host a biannual conference with speakers from across the commonwealth – last year it was held in Edinburgh, and next year it will take place in Cape Town.

Chris introduced us to Jessica and Ella Underberg, who join us for this episode.

Jessica is CEO of the Erie County Agricultural Society and its namesake fair, which attracts a mind-blowing one million visitors across 12 days. The Society’s mission statement is to, “preserve and enhance, by educational endeavours, the historical and agricultural legacy of New York State.”

Her daughter Ella has followed in her footsteps, previously serving as President of Future Farmers of America (FFA). As she prepares for college, Ella shares what agriculture means to her and what she thinks the role of her generation is in taking the sector into the future.

Their wide-ranging conversation, hosted by firm Partner Rory Hutchings, covers:

· The mood music in America

· How different countries can learn from each other in tackling shared agricultural challenges

· Making space for agriculture in school curriculums

· How Future Farmers of America compares to Young Farmers in the UK and the role of both in the agricultural community

· The importance of education and people knowing where their food comes from

· The role of agriculturalists in the green movement

· Embracing technology and innovations across the sector

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise. If you’ve got a query about agricultural law, the team is always happy to help: www.hcrlaw.com/sector/agriculture-environment-and-estates/

We’ll be collaborating with the RASC again to hear more global perspectives on all things agriculture, so make sure you’re subscribed to be notified of future episodes.

Cyber threats are constantly changing, and phishing attacks are more sophisticated than ever. In this episode of Created IP, we break down evolving phishing tactics, how to spot a potential scam, and what to do if your security is compromised."

Key topics covered:

• The latest trends in phishing attacks

• Common red flags to watch for

• Steps to take if your business falls victim

• Best practices for strengthening your security

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/commercial/intellectual-property-protection/

• Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcrlaw/

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from understanding IP rights better. And remember to tune in next month for another insightful discussion.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Partner James Frankland talks to Richard Crane, current Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers.

Agriculture is often said to be England’s oldest and most integral industry, and The Worshipful Company of Farmers is the livery that protects that legacy and guarantees its future.

Education and charity work are the lifeblood of the livery movement, with far-reaching impacts across the nation. Richard shares his journey from attending the Company’s first ever leadership course in 1996 to being Master of the organisation today, and why he felt compelled to give back to agriculture.

This episode explores:

• How liveries work and how they influence the nation
• What led Richard to his current position as Master
• The vital role of education in upholding skills and standards in farming
• The role of City Farms in connecting urban communities with nature
• The growing importance of initiatives like the biannual Wellbeing Forum for supporting mental health in farming

Talk Farm is brought to you by HCR Law. In turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, this podcast sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team.

Catch up on previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple.

In this HCR Law podcast, specialists from our Dispute Resolution team come together to discuss the new Procurement Act and the impact we can expect to see on public sector procurement over the next year.

The episode is hosted by Senior Associate Madeleine Jordan, with expert insights from Stewart Morrison, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain, and Associate Emma Elston-Carr.

Our litigation team have reviewed the new legislation with a forensic eye so you don't have to, distilling the key points and providing practical guidance for suppliers and contracting authorities.

If you have a query about how the Procurement Act might affect your business, you can get in touch with the team here: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/dispute-resolution/

This briefing from our Dispute Resolution team covers:

• What is public procurement?
• Why regulation is so important in public procurement
• The underlying principles behind the procurement regime and why change is being introduced
• What the Procurement Act 2023 seeks to achieve
• Will the new Act make routes to market easier?
• Will we see more innovative approaches to procurement going forward?
• What exactly is changing under the new Act, and how can contracting authorities and suppliers prepare?
• What is the standstill period and how is it changing?
• What is the new test for lifting the automatic suspension and will we see change in practical terms?
• Overview of the new performance monitoring regime and what it means for suppliers and contracting authorities

And plenty more besides.

Find out more about public procurement law on HCR Law's website.

In this episode of Created IP, we explore the power of branding and how it shapes your business identity. From logos to messaging, we discuss how business owners can use branding to establish a strong presence, connect with their audience, and clearly communicate what they do.

Key Topics Covered:

• What is branding, and why does it matter?
• The difference between branding and trademarks
• How to create a brand identity that stands out
• Legal considerations for protecting your brand

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/commercial/intellectual-property-protection/

• Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcrlaw/

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from understanding IP rights better. And remember to tune in next month for another insightful discussion!

There can be little doubt that 2025 will be a time of transformative change for farmers and rural business owners, as the legislation proposed in the Autumn budget is formalised in the courts.

In this episode of Talk Farm, hosts James Frankland and Rory Hutchings sit down with Denise Wilkinson, Head of Agriculture and Estates at HCR Law, for an in-depth discussion of what the year ahead holds for the agricultural sector.

Our expert team share their perspective and guidance on:

Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief: How upcoming changes to inheritance tax will impact succession planning for farming families.

The Renters Reform Bill: How will it change the nature of agricultural tenancies?

Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) and Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS): What are the challenges and opportunities for farmers?

Land ownership: What impact will the budget have on land values?

Diversification and development: Trends set to dominate in 2025

Dispute resolution: Will we see a rise in disputes between farming families and rural business partnerships?

CPOs: How the government’s grey belt strategy will impact Compulsory Purchase Orders

Denise, Rory and James have been advising farming families and rural businesses for decades, with combined expertise in Natural Capital, land ownership and management, development and diversification, and dispute resolution.

If you have a query for the team, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. Catch up on previous episodes wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple.

In the first episode of Created IP, we dive deep into the world of intellectual property (IP) rights and explore the question of ownership.

We cover the different types of intellectual property, the importance of contracts, and practical tips for protecting your creative and business assets.

Key Topics Covered:

1. What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

1. Who Owns Intellectual Property?

1. Common Ownership Scenarios

1. Why Ownership Matters

Connect With Us:

• Website: https://www.hcrlaw.com/service-team/commercial/intellectual-property-protection/

• Social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hcrlaw/

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues who might benefit from understanding IP rights better. And remember to tune in next month for another insightful discussion!

It’s safe to say it’s been an eventful few months for UK farmers and agricultural professionals, with developments both at home and abroad posing a new set of challenges and opportunities.

In this episode of Talk Farm, Host James Frankland welcomes Ed Barker, Head of Policy and External Affairs at the Institute of Agricultural Industries Confederation, as his guest. Ed’s role at the AIC is focused around six key sectors:

• Policy – mostly external and environmental

• Animal Feed

• Combinable Crops

• Crop Protection and Agronomy

• Fertiliser

• Seed

His work involves bridging the gap between those at the coal face of agriculture – farmers and rural business owners – and those making the decisions that impact supply chains and the agricultural economy.

James and Ed’s conversation addresses the key trends – both micro and macro, national and international – shaping UK farming, including:

• The new government: With wholesale electoral changes following the recent Labour landslide, new MPs must quickly learn the ins and outs of agriculture, while stakeholders face the challenge of engaging with new decision-makers.

• Defra’s 2025 agenda: What’s on the to-do list for Defra going into this new year, and do they have the resources to manage it?

• CBAM: What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and why is everyone talking about it right now?

• The Trump question: Tariffs, tariffs, tariffs. What would a second Trump presidency mean for global trade and the agricultural economy?

• Brexit aftershocks: Brexit may feel like the distant past, but its impact is still being felt in all corners of the agricultural industry. How much progress have we made since 2019, and what do we still need to address?

• Industry coalition: Ed is clear that, to influence policy and inspire change for the better, industry unions and trade bodies must work together rather than in silos to cut through the noise.

• Gene editing: Why the UK is ahead of the game and when we might expect to start seeing results

• Crop talk: Should we be concerned about declining crop diversity?

Tune in to hear Ed’s thoughts on all the above and plenty more, in a comprehensive discussion that seeks to join the dots between global developments, domestic policies and trends, and the future of UK farming.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both partners in HCR Law’s Agriculture and Estates team. If you’ve got a query about agricultural law, our team is always happy to help.

The Royal Welsh show has been held in its namesake country since 1904 and is today one of the largest shows in Europe.

There's no one better placed, then, to talk about the role of agricultural shows in sustaining rural life than Aled Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

Aled was also on the board of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and has previously served as Chief Operating Officer for The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.

Partner and Co-host of Talk Farm, Rory Hutchings, has known Aled for a long time. In this episode, he asks for his perspective on the role agricultural shows have played in bringing rural communities together, strengthening the agricultural economy, and spreading awareness of farming life more widely.

They discuss how shows like the Royal Welsh have evolved over the years, and why their appeal remains so strong today. The show has only been called off a handful of times in its 120-year history, for reasons ranging from world wars to foot-and-mouth disease and - more recently - Covid-19.

The conversation covers the role of agricultural shows in bringing people together and encouraging resilience during adverse times, equipping the next generation of farmers with the opportunity to connect and grow their skills, and inspiring diversification and improving productivity on farms.

In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise.

The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both Partners in HCR Law's Agriculture and Estates team. If you've got a query about agricultural law, our team is always happy to help.

https://www.hcrlaw.com/sector/agriculture-environment-and-estates/