Agribusiness and Farming Lawyers in Melbourne

Practical rural law advice, farm transfers and dispute resolution for farmers, agribusinesses and rural property owners across Victoria.

Hendersons Legal has significant experience providing legal services to farmers, agribusinesses and rural property owners across Victoria. Founded in 2001 by David Henderson, our firm works closely with rural clients to deliver practical, commercial advice and clear solutions.

Farms and agribusinesses raise issues that call for real experience across rural property law, contract law, and wills and estate planning. We act quickly and commercially to advise on these matters and to resolve disputes when they arise, with as little disruption to your operations as possible.

How We Help

We advise and act for rural clients across a wide range of matters, including:

• Family succession planning and disputes, including claims for breach of promise and restitution when a farm is not divided amongst family members as planned or expected
• Property and chattels contracts, leases and disputes, including practical, commercial reviews of agribusiness and rural lease agreements, and resolving conflicts between owners, successors and purchasers over sale and rental agreements
• Farm planning disputes, including VCAT reviews of council planning permit decisions, subdivisions, environmental overlays and other rural land planning issues
• Farm boundary and rural neighbour disputes, including fencing, easements and shared access and resources
• Agricultural contract disputes, including breaches of rural purchase and supply agreements, payment disputes and debt recovery
• Rural lease litigation, including rent arrears, maintenance obligations and early terminations under farm leasing agreements
• Business restructures, including working with insolvency practitioners on farm financial difficulties and asset protection

Farm Succession, Transfers and Structuring

Much of our rural work happens well before any dispute. We help farming families plan how land and businesses pass to the next generation, and we structure transfers so they are clean, tax-effective and hard to argue about later. Our farm succession and transfer work includes:

• Family farm succession planning, including how to divide land, machinery and business interests fairly between family members and how to record those intentions clearly
• Farm transfers between generations, including advice on eligibility for the Victorian family farm stamp duty exemption and the young farmers duty concession
• Buying and selling rural property, including primary production land, water entitlements and rural conveyancing
• Agribusiness and farm lease agreements, including drafting and reviewing terms before you sign
• Business structuring and asset protection, including trusts, partnerships and company structures for farm operations

Getting the structure right early usually costs far less than untangling it later. If you are planning a transfer or thinking about who will run the farm next, we can help you map out the options.

Resolving Farm and Agribusiness Disputes

As experienced rural litigation lawyers, we provide a full range of support for farm and agribusiness disputes, including:

• Dispute assessment and strategy, evaluating your claims and developing a tailored plan to resolve issues quickly
• Negotiation and mediation, facilitating and taking part in settlement discussions and documenting the terms of any settlement
• Court and tribunal representation, acting for you at VCAT and, where required, in the County Court and Supreme Court of Victoria, across commercial, planning, building and related rural disputes

Many farm matters also overlap with our other practice areas. We draw on our employment law and debt collection and insolvency experience to deal with related issues such as farm business restructures and worker claims, and we are experienced in wills and estates for succession and inheritance matters.

Why Choose Hendersons Legal

Proven Rural Experience

Since 2001, Hendersons Legal has provided advice and litigation services to farmers and agribusinesses on a wide range of issues throughout Victoria. Our lawyers are experienced and well regarded in the rural sector, and we pride ourselves on practical, personalised service.

Melbourne CBD Location

Our office is steps from all major Victorian courts and tribunals, including VCAT. For clients in regional and rural Victoria, we can easily arrange Zoom meetings or telephone conferences, so you do not have to travel to get good advice.

Transparent Pricing

We are legally obliged to provide a cost estimate before we commence work, which is confirmed in a Disclosure Statement and Costs Agreement setting out our terms and conditions.

A Practical, Common-Sense Approach

We work to get results efficiently, with strategies grounded in the realities of farming. We keep communication clear and prioritise outcomes that cause minimal disruption to your operations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Farm Disputes in Victoria

How It Works

To get started, contact us by phone or fill out our online enquiry form with the details of your matter. We will confirm the scope of work, provide a fee estimate and get to work, keeping you fully briefed at every stage.