The special contribution is offered as part of the Legal Assistance Scheme’s 30th anniversary celebrations until the end of October 2018.
The service, launched last year, can save farmers time and money when considering new contracts and can cover contracts such as the sale of goods or services, tenancy agreements, finance agreements, milk contracts, grain contracts, grazing licences and many more.
The service is split into three stages and can offer farmers a free initial discussion with one of the NFU’s specialist advisers, an initial report produced by a legal panel solicitor, or a more detailed review into their contracts.
NFU legal board chairman Trevor Foss said: “Contract disputes are an increasing concern for our members and I hope this special contribution will encourage farmers to use the service.
“In total, the Legal Assistance Scheme has saved NFU members approximately £4.4 million in legal fees towards contractual disputes, since 2000. This is a staggering amount of money that could easily be reduced or avoided by taking professional advice before entering into contracts.”
NFU LAS manager Regina Owusu said: “It is very clear that these disputes can be incredibly costly and distressing to our members and I hope we see plenty of members using the contract checking service, while taking advantage of this generous offer of support.”
As part of the scheme’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the LAS is also offering its tenant subscribers an additional £100 to the existing £500 already offered to prepare budgetary reports for rent reviews under the NFU’s Tenants’ First Advice Service.
LAS subscribers who are interested in the Contract Checking Service should contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
The NFU Legal Assistance Scheme is a unique discretionary scheme offering financial support towards legal and professional costs incurred by its subscribed in disputes affecting their farming and/or growing businesses. To know more about the scheme, or to join, contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.