NFU appoints new legal panel

As part of the NFU’s centenary celebrations, sixteen legal firms have been selected as members of the NFU legal panel at a launch held today (Mon).

The panel has been extended from its original seven members to ensure all NFU members in England and Wales have improved access to a specialist legal team. All 16 of the selected firms have a proven track record in agricultural issues and will be working closely with the NFU and its Legal Assistance Scheme.

Introducing members of the new panel during today's official launch, NFU Vice President Paul Temple said: “I am delighted to introduce members of the NFU's new legal panel, who have been selected for both their strength and depth in agricultural matters together with other specialist areas that affect our members.

“This is a very exciting addition to our services for members. Not only is each of the chosen firms committed to the NFU's vision for the industry, but they have also underpinned that commitment by offering all NFU farmer and grower members a significant 12.5 per cent discount on their hourly rates for cases arising directly from their businesses as farmers and growers.”

Chairman of the NFU legal board Fred Gooder added: “We were extremely pleased with the high quality of the tenders, showing how much professional legal firms want to work with the NFU. Today represents a major milestone for us in increasing value and providing a more comprehensive legal service to our members, over 90 per cent of whom already belong to the LAS. These appointments further strengthen the bond between the NFU, the scheme and panel solicitors and also bring with them tangible benefits for all NFU farmer and grower members.”


Notes to editors:

1. Case studies of the work carried out by the NFU’s panel firms in conjunction with the Legal Assistance Service are available by calling the press office.

2. The new legal panel was chosen after an intensive six-month period, reviewing 82 tender documents and interviewing 41 legal firms from all over England and Wales.

The firms were carefully selected by a panel comprising the regional director, regional representative of the National Legal Board, the LAS adviser, Robert Downie, director of Associa, and the LAS manager Regina Owusu.

The panel firms have agreed to offer a discount of 12.5 per cent to work for NFU farmer and grower members from Tuesday May 13 2008. The discount applies to the hourly rates charged on cases, whether contentious or non-contentious, relating directly to their businesses as farmers and growers. The discount extends to advice relating to ancillary businesses linked to the main farming or growing business.

Firms joining the new NFU legal panel are: East Anglia: Hewitsons LLP, Stanley Tee LLP. East Midlands: Wilkin Chapman Epton Blades, Wright Hassall. North East: Crombie Wilkinson, Jacksons Commercial and Private Law. North West: Bowcock Cuerden, Napthens. South East: Bircham Dyson Bell, Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons. South West: Clarke Willmott, Foot Anstey. Wales: Cyfraith JRL Law, John Collins & Partners. West Midlands: Lanyon Bowdler, Needham & James.


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The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members.