|
Driving
licence requirements relating to horseboxes |
The relevant provisions are
contained in the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1999 (the Regulations)
as amended. If the horsebox has a maximum authorised mass which
exceeds 3.5 tonnes but not 7.5 tonnes then a category C1 licence is
needed. If the MAM exceeds 7.5 tonnes then a category C licence is
required. |
| Loaning horses |
It can often seem an attractive
option to loan a horse rather than buying a horse or pony of your
own because you do not have the initial costly outlay and you
always have the option of returning the horse if it doesn’t work –
well that’s the theory at least!
|
| Livery agreements |
Legal claims against livery yard
owners or irresponsible clients are on an increase. It is
therefore, sensible to enter into an agreement in the first place,
ensuring both parties know who should be doing what.
|
| Importing from the
EU |
The emergence of a truly global
market for commercial goods has not escaped the equine world, with
a host of horses/ponies on display at the click of a button via an
internet browser.
|
| Syndication
agreements |
Syndication agreements are
contractual agreements setting out the arrangements between a group
of people who have pooled their resources to acquire a horse.
Syndication agreements are commonly used by groups of people
wishing to purchase a stallion for breeding purposes.
|
| Small claims |
Claims not exceeding £5000 will
normally be allocated to the small claims track in the County Court
and do not require legal representation.
|
| Is planning permission
required? |
Equestrian properties often throw
up planning problems because the keeping of horses appears similar
to agriculture and many people (wrongly) assume that they are an
agricultural activity.
|
| Personal injury
and compensation |
If you or your horse has suffered an
injury, no matter how trivial, it is worth finding out from a
solicitor if there is any possibility of claiming compensation.
|
| Buying and
selling horses |
Your legal rights will depend on
whether you bought your horse from a private seller or someone
selling in the course of a business, for example a dealer or
breeder.
|
| Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use
or Development (CLEUD) |
When purchasing equestrian property and to pre-empt problems on
a sale, it is essential to ascertain whether there are any problems
with the planning title. Due to the passage of time many can be
dealt with by obtaining a CLEUD. |
|
Commercial tenancies for equestrian businesses
|
Many
equestrian businesses are run on land rented by the business owner
from a landlord. It is extremely important for owners
of such businesses to be clear as to the legislation governing
their tenancy and the implications that flow from that. |
|
Employment in
the equine industry
|
Anybody hiring someone, whether
part-time or full-time, to provide regular duties is an employer in
the horse industry.
|
| Grazing
arrangements |
There are many instances in which
horse owners would like to take grazing, but landowners are
reluctant to enter into an agreement that may constitute a
tenancy.
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