Romsey: Experienced agricultural law specialist joins Thrings

Experienced rural law specialist Jonathan Thompson has joined the established agriculture team at the Romsey office of Thrings.

Thompson, who joins in the role of senior associate, has 21 years’ experience as a non-contentious agricultural lawyer, most recently with Hunters Law and Charles Russell Speechlys.

He specialises in supporting farmers and landowners with tenancies, agricultural business agreements, diversifying revenue streams, sporting rights, and environmental law. He is a fellow of the Agricultural Law Association, chairman of the Surrey County Agricultural Society, and a staff officer in the British Army Reserve.

Thompson joins the team at Romsey and across Thrings offices in Bath, Bristol, Swindon and London as the firm helps rural communities navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by the pandemic, Brexit and the Government’s new Environment Bill, expected to become law this year.

Thompson said: “This is a transformational time for agriculture and agri-businesses. The pandemic has highlighted how vitally important farmers and producers are to the UK’s prosperity and resilience. The impacts of Brexit are only beginning to manifest themselves as the Agriculture Act takes effect with wide implications for how farming is run, structured and publicly funded.

“We are already seeing a step-change take place as landowners seek to diversify and work more collaboratively, for example by entering into partnerships such as share farming agreements in place of straightforward landlord and tenant relationships. There are real opportunities here to generate new income streams and wider social benefit.

“It is a fascinating time to be in agricultural law and I am excited to be joining a firm with the strength and depth to service clients in rural communities through a group of lawyers with a wide range of specialist expertise.”

Mark Charter, partner at Thrings, who leads the Romsey agriculture team, said: “I have known Jonathan for a long time and am pleased to extend him a very warm welcome to the team. He is known for his breadth of experience and clear thinking and will be valuable to our team, the wider firm and our valued clients.

For more information about the Thrings agriculture team see www.thrings.com/agriculture-rural-economy