Agricultural Holdings Act 1986

53 Application for tenancy of holding by nominated successor

(1) An application under this section by the nominated successor to the Tribunal for a direction entitling him to a tenancy of the holding shall be made within the relevant period.

(2) In subsection (1) above "the relevant period" means (subject to sections 51(6) and 52(4) above) the period of one month beginning with the day after the date of the giving of the retirement notice.

(3) Any such application—

(a) must be accompanied by a copy of the retirement notice, and

(b) must be signed by both the nominated successor and the retiring tenant or, where the notice was given by joint tenants, by each of the retiring tenants.

(4) If the retirement notice includes a statement in accordance with section 51(3) above that it is given on the grounds mentioned in that provision, then, before the nominated successor's application is further proceeded with under this section, the Tribunal must be satisfied—

(a) that the retiring tenant or (as the case may be) each of the retiring tenants either is or will at the retirement date be incapable, by reason of bodily or mental infirmity, of conducting the farming of the holding in such a way as to secure the fulfilment of the responsibilities of the tenant to farm in accordance with the rules of good husbandry, and

(b) that any such incapacity is likely to be permanent.

(5) If the Tribunal are satisfied—

(a) that the nominated successor was an eligible person at the date of the giving of the retirement notice, and

(b) that he has not subsequently ceased to be such a person,

the Tribunal shall determine whether he is in their opinion a suitable person to become the tenant of the holding.

(6) Before making a determination under subsection (5) above the Tribunal shall afford the landlord an opportunity of stating his views on the suitability of the nominated successor; and in making any such determination the Tribunal shall have regard to all relevant matters, including—

(a) the extent to which the nominated successor has been trained in, or has had practical experience of, agriculture,

(b) his age, physical health and financial standing,

(c) the views (if any) stated by the landlord on his suit ability.

(7) If the nominated successor is determined under that subsection to be in their opinion a suitable person to become the tenant of the holding, the Tribunal shall, subject to subsection (8) below, give a direction entitling him to a tenancy of the holding.

(8) The Tribunal shall not give such a direction if, on an application made by the landlord, it appears to the Tribunal that greater hardship would be caused by giving the direction than by refusing the nominated successor's application under this section,

(9) If the Tribunal dispose of the nominated successor's application otherwise than by the giving of a direction under subsection (7) above the retirement notice shall be of no effect (but without prejudice to section 51(2) above).

(10) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, an application by the nominated successor under this section which is withdrawn or abandoned shall be treated as if it had never been made.

(11) Provision shall be made by order under section 73(3) of the [1947 c. 48.] Agriculture Act 1947 (procedure of Agricultural Land Tribunals) for requiring any person making an application to the Tribunal for a direction under this section to give notice of the application to the landlord of the agricultural holding to which the application relates.