Equine Law

Equine Law

Horses attract a variety of legal issues surrounding their purchase and sale, their upkeep and care and their work as school horses or competition horses. Our Equine Law Unit is a multi-disciplinary team that acts for equestrian businesses, sporting governing bodies, equestrian athletes and horse owners. The members of our Equine Law Unit have a personal interest in horses and riding which helps us to understand equine-related issues and needs. 

Our non-contentious equine law work includes contracts for sale and purchase, agreements for livery and grazing, advice on your obligations as an owner or keeper of horses, advice on obligations under various government regulations such as Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), drafting competition rules for various associations, and sponsorship agreements.

Our dispute resolution and regulatory equine law work includes dealing with disputes over the purchase and sale of horses, veterinary negligence, appearing on behalf of sporting bodies and individuals before sports’ regulatory bodies, and sports tribunals.

  • Agreements
    Advising on and drafting formal agreements for livery, grazing, farming, and the purchase and sale of horses.
  • Dispute resolution
    Advice relating to disputes over purchasing, selling, leasing and owning horses, livery and grazing agreements, and liabilities under the Animal Act 1971.
  • Equine sports
    Advice relating to regulatory matters and dispute resolution for governing bodies, clubs and individual riders or horse owners
  • Constitutions and regulation
    Advice relating to constitutional documents for governing bodies and clubs (including companies limited by guarantee and unincorporated associations) and procedures for meetings (including calling and holding AGMs).
  • Personal injury
    Advising on your liabilities or entitlements in respect of riding accidents.
  • Other equine law issues
    Advising in respect of your obligations as a horse owner or keeper, such as transport and welfare.
  • Sports law
For a no-obligation chat about equine law and how we can assist you, please contact Laura Heeley.