Medical evidence concerning the suitability to succeed to the tenancy of a farm: the case of 'toad of toad hall'.

A hill farmer applied to succeed to the tenancy of his farm on the death of his mother who had leased the farm from his maternal aunt. As landlord, she opposed the application which was heard at an Agricultural Land Tribunal (ALT) convened under the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1986. The ALT is a court of first instance. The applicant had to prove his eligibility and his suitability. His eligibility was not disputed. Both parties called medical evidence having a bearing on his physical health which was a matter relevant to the issue of suitability. It was in question because there were allegations of excessive drinking and alcohol-related offending. Finding no evidence that the applicant's drinking affected his farming ability, the Tribunal found in his favour and his application to succeed to the tenancy was granted.