James Drysdale
UK Guide 2025
Band 2 : Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 1786 478104Share profile
Band 2
About
Provided by James Drysdale
Practice Areas
Partner specialising in all aspects of agricultural and rural law, including business structures, purchases, sales, leasing, forestry, salmon fisheries and sportings, land use and management including diversification, development and minerals, renewable energy, wind, solar and hydro, and coalbed methane gas. An environmental lawyer of 30 years experience. Advises on trusts and tax & financial planning and involved in advising family businesses on the broad range of issues. A Trustee of several family trusts and through them involved in family businesses.
Career
Qualified in 1982 then later spent 30 years with Anderson Strathern — 27 as partner — and has been a partner with Ledingham Chalmers since 2013.
Professional Memberships
Accredited as a specialist in agricultural law by the Law Society of Scotland and holds a Certificate in Environmental Law from Glasgow University. A member of the Agricultural Law Association and served a full term as council member and treasurer of the UKELA. Currently involved with the UKELA Scottish Group. Was Legal Adviser to the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards for more than 15 years. Serves on the Law Society Rural Affairs Committee as Convener and on the Scottish Land & Estates Environmental Committee.
Chambers Review
UK
James Drysdale is highly experienced in agricultural and rural transactions, leasing arrangements and diversification opportunities, as well as succession planning for farming businesses and estate owners.
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