The NFU LAS (Legal Assistance Scheme) is a discretionary benefits in-house scheme run by a team of solicitors. It provides NFU Farmer & Grower members with professional guidance and financial support towards legal and other professional costs, should you face a legal dispute relating to your farming or growing business.
The scheme is available as an optional extra to NFU Farmer & Grower members at just £38 + 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
- Up to £1,000 towards a maximum of four contracts checked by our Legal Panel Firms under the NFU Contract Checking Service
- Up to £1,000 towards four sets of instructions generated by the NFU Legal Health Check Service
- Up to £250 towards the costs incurred from seeking professional advice from our Legal Panel Firms with regards to new public rights of way and in making section 31(6) applications
How can I access the service?
- 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)
- 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
- 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, download our NFU Legal Services brochure
Download the full LAS terms and conditions (effective from 1 November 2014), including eligibility criteria, or contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
“The NFU offers a fantastic legal service through our internal and external legal professionals working together for the benefit of our members. Our in-house legally qualified advisers are totally committed and dedicated to the work carried out on behalf of members, coupled with the specialist expertise of our carefully selected NFU Legal Panel Firms that have a good understanding of the issues facing the farming and growing community.
“I am proud to be the Chairman of the NFU Legal Board offering financial support to our Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS) subscribers when facing hardships, and in making important decisions affecting their businesses and livelihoods.”
NFU Legal Board chair Nick Hamer
“In addition to our unrivalled legal service offering, the NFU has an in-house team of lawyers who advise and support its policy teams lobbying on behalf of our members.
“The Legal Affairs Team provides legal advice to NFU officeholders, directors, staff and members covering a huge range of legal topics, encompassing all of the policy areas within the NFU, and across all sectors.
“The team fights NFU legal cases for the industry and produces information and guidance for members on legal issues relevant to their farming and growing businesses.
“I am very proud of the NFU legal offer – providing a comprehensive, professional, and united service to members when they most need our support.”
NFU Director of Policy Andrew Clark
Tenants' First Advice Service
Can I get financial support when facing a rent review?
NFU Legal Assistance Scheme (LAS) tenant Farmer and Grower subscribers can receive a contribution of up to £600 towards professional advice and any help required to prepare budgetary reports for assessing the rental value of a farm. The £600 is available in the following circumstances*:
- You are served with a rent review notice by your landlord
- You are considering, or have decided to serve a rent review notice on your landlord
- You wish to tender for a renewal of an existing Farm Business Tenancy
- Rent is reviewed by the landlord or tenant as part of a succession application of an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy on retirement or death
- Rent is reviewed due to land or buildings being taken out of or added to the existing tenancy
- Rent is reviewed due to other changes to the terms of an existing tenancy.
*Each case is considered on its own facts and merits and all LAS awards are at the discretion of the LAS Team and/or the NFU Legal Board.
How do I access the service?
- Contact the NFU Tenants’ helpline on 0370 300 0288 and speak to one of our specialist advisers who will provide you with initial advice and explain the service after identifying your concerns.
- Our advisers will go through the LAS application process with you and refer you to an NFU Rural Surveyor Firm of your choice in your area to assist you further.
- The LAS team will contact you about liaising with your professional adviser and inform you of any potential contribution towards your costs up to £600, following your production of the relevant information.