Adrian Bennett

Overview

I’m an Associate in Michelmores’ Agriculture team, with a diverse practice involving a combination of agricultural, compulsory purchase and administrative law. I have a range of property litigation experience, predominantly in either an agricultural or public sector context.

I regularly act and advise in various contentious matters, including farming partnership disputes, landlord and tenant disputes including agricultural tenancy disputes, nuisances and trespass claims, possession claims, contractual claims, general property disputes and compulsory purchase disputes.

My agricultural clients are typically landlords or tenants of agricultural holdings, but I also act for a wide range of individuals, partnerships, landed estates, and both institutional and corporate landowners operating within the agricultural sector throughout the UK.

I also have a developing interest in public law challenges and contentious environmental law, having acted for clients in judicial review claims, and defended clients who have had proceedings brought against them by the Environment Agency.

Throughout my time in the team, I have also been placed upon two secondments to a water and sewerage undertaker, where I advised on numerous regulatory and property litigation matters.

I am a professional member of the Property Litigation Association, the Compulsory Purchase Association and the Constitutional & Administrative Law Bar Association.

Recent experience

Environmental and Regulatory

Advising a Liquid Waste Transfer Business prosecuted by the Environment Agency for alleged waste-related offences contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, including Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings for a £multi-million sum.

Advising a Private Individual on their various obligations, both under covenant and statute, in maintaining a borehole supply to other properties, following increased demand on the borehole due to intensified agricultural activities

Advising Private Individuals on prosecution proceedings brought against them for breaches of the Habitats Regulations and Hedgerow Regulations.

Advising a Water Undertaker on its access powers under the Water Industry Act 1991

Advising a Water Undertaker on environmental compliance with abstraction licences, and securing drought permits

Agriculture

Multiple successful trespasser and persons unknown injunctions for Forestry England

Multiple Landlord and Tenant Disputes for Landed Estates and Tenants, including complex termination of protected leases held under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986.

Multiple instructions advising Private Individuals and Farming Businesses in respect of compensation claims under the Compulsory Purchase Act following land acquisitions and the exercise of access rights.