In today’s world, we all know contracts can be complex and can often be written in language that can puzzle and confuse us. You may occasionally be asked to enter into a contract that you are not entirely sure about.
Seeking early advice before signing on the dotted line can protect you from potentially costly, lengthy and stressful legal disputes in the future. That’s why the NFU in conjunction with its Legal Panel Firms is delighted to offer a Contract Checking Service to NFU Farmer & Grower members. The Legal Panel Firms can undertake the work on your behalf by offering their independent professional advice to ensure you understand your rights and obligations, and are satisfied that your aims and objectives are met before you sign the contract.
When can the service be used?
- When you receive a contract from another party you are planning to trade with or buy from
- When you wish to issue a new contract yourself for a business transaction you are about to enter into with another party
- When either you or the other party propose changes to any of the terms and conditions of an existing contract
How is the Service accessed?
Stage 1
Contact NFU CallFirst by calling 0370 845 8458. The NFU specialist adviser will have a free initial discussion with you and can then make a referral to
one of the NFU Legal Panel Firms. You will be referred to the relevant firm in your area, who will contact you within 48 hours to discuss your contract.
Stage 2
The Legal Panel Firm will contact you to discuss your requirements and objectives, as well as review the documentation you send to them. They will review the contract and contact you with a fixed quote for the service based on its complexity, value and in some cases, its length. If agreed, the firm will then produce a simple report to reflect your objectives and help you to understand the contract.
The NFU has negotiated exclusive preferential rates for NFU Farmer & Grower members that start from as little as £275.00 (+ VAT) for the report at stage 2 (depending on the complexity and value of the contract). When you balance that cost against what the contract is going to be worth to your business, it is likely to be money well spent.
Stage 3
If you want them to, the Legal Panel Firm will consider the contract in more detail and assist in renegotiating specific terms with the other party and/or
advise in further detail what the contract means for your business.
The charge at stage 3 will either be at the firm’s standard hourly rates (with a 12.5% NFU discount applied), or if possible, at a fixed fee that can be agreed directly with the firm before any work is done.
Don’t sign contracts without understanding your rights and obligations. The above service could reduce the stress and high legal costs associated with contractual disputes that could be avoided if you seek professional advice before signing the contract.