NFU Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS)

The scheme is available as an optional extra to NFU Farmer & Grower members at just £36 + VAT a year.

This is not legal expenses insurance, but does offer its subscribers exclusive benefits.

Benefits of the NFU Legal Assistance Scheme include:

  • Contribution towards professional fees
  • Dedicated LAS Team offering professional guidance and support through the case
  • Contribution towards mediation costs in Inter-member disputes (IMDs)
  • £500 towards professional fees for BPS Independent Panel Reviews
  • Up to £600 towards the cost of budgetary advice for rent reviews under Tenants’ First Advice Service
  • Up to £300 towards the costs involved in putting up site notices in fly-grazing cases
  • Contribution towards the professional costs of NVZ appeals
  • Confidentiality assured

*Offer available until 31 December 2021

How can I access the service?

1. Contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to speak to a specialist adviser for preliminary advice and to make an application for LAS funding (if required)

2. If more in-depth advice is needed, your query will be referred to one of our local Legal Panel Firms for a free initial discussion about your case

3. The firm will provide an initial report and further updates to the LAS team to consider funding towards your legal and other professional costs.

*Financial support is at the discretion of the Legal Board and the LAS team. Each case is decided on its facts and legal merits. Costs incurred prior to NFU notification do not qualify.

To view our NFU Legal Services brochure, follow this link NFU Legal Services brochure

Full Terms & Conditions (effective from 1 November 2014), including eligibility criteria, are available below or from NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.

Hear what our members have to say about using the Scheme: 

“I am very grateful for the financial help from the NFU to enable me to get a reduction in rent”
“Very excellent service from the NFU CallFirst, the panel firm solicitor and the LAS. Thank you all very much”
“The Scheme has made it possible for us to pursue a very important issue which because of cost, may not have been taken. It is only hoped that there is a successful outcome after all the time, cost and effort”
“I would just like to say that even though I will not go for a rent reduction this time, I feel much more confident in approaching landlords. I have much more knowledge on my rights as a tenant and also in which direction I can take my business in the future. I think this is a good initiative that the NFU is running”
“The Legal Assistance Scheme gives you enough financial security and, therefore, the confidence to mount the necessary challenge when a spurious claim is made against you. Long may it continue”
“NFU and the Legal Assistance Scheme came through to even up the playing field at a time of great need”
“With the NFU behind our problems, we have more weight behind us and have better results”
“There are not many places to turn to for guidance, support and help for farmers. We found the LAS team have an understanding of a close family farm experiencing a legal crisis”
“I was very pleased to get support in this matter after being told that I did not stand a chance in getting the RPA to pay but, to get the merchant to go halfway was a success and the NFU Legal Assistance was to a degree the icing on the cake. Thank you all very much”
"Excellent service throughout this long and protracted case – We are most grateful for the help we have had – without NFU help we would not have been able to see it through 5½ years and in the end we won the case."
"At a very difficult time with a long standing debt, and getting no-where, without LAS we would still be chasing this debt. We had the whole debt repaid. At all times I was kept informed of any developments."
"I am very grateful for the assistance provided, it has been very helpful. When farmers and growers are faced with very heavy legal costs it is important that the NFU is able to help, and this grower gratefully recognises that."

More...