It is one of the features of farming life in this country that rights of occupation are awarded by one to the other "on the nod". Such informal arrangements abound, not only between members of the same family, but also between independent third parties. Whilst most of these arrangements are reasonably successful and cause no problems, there are a significant minority about which this cannot be said. Where they end in dispute, it inevitably carries a financial cost but where members of the same family are involved, the consequences can be so much more serious. In addition to all the other issues, we also now have to cope with the vagaries of the Single Farm Payment system. The answer must surely be that it is better to record all such arrangements formally having taken proper professional advice. Not to do so may well be a false economy.