Agriculture

I am a Partner in the Agriculture team. I advise on a broad spectrum of rural matters including property disputes, partnership disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, professional negligence, and contractual disputes.

My expertise includes Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancies; in particular, I advise and act in connection with succession matters.

I also have a focus on regenerative agriculture and technology and innovation which aims to tackle food security issues and the environmental impact of our food production.

In recognition of my contribution to and spearheading of the Michelmores’ Sustainable Agriculture practice, I was named in  The Lawyer Hot 100 for 2020. My fascination with how insects could provide many of the solutions to the challenges in our food system has led to the development of a niche expertise in the law relating to insects as feed and food. I am one of the very few legal experts in this area and I led the team at Michelmores that advised on the legislative aspects of the WWF Roadmap to Accelerating Insect Protein in UK Feeds The_future_of_feed_July_2021.pdf (wwf.org.uk)

I am very privileged to form part of the organising panel for the UK’s annual Insects as Food and Feed Conference, in association with the Royal Entomological Society and ADAS.

I am a member of the Agricultural Law Association and the Property Litigation Association, and regularly lecture on agricultural and environmental issues.

Expertise

Agriculture Natural Capital Natural Capital for Development Natural Capital for Funders & Investors Natural Capital for Land Managers Professional Negligence Sustainable Agriculture & Agri-Tech Sustainable Economy

Rachel O'Connor - Partner - Agriculture | Michelmores