NFU Appoints Foot Anstey To Its Legal Panel
South West law firm Foot Anstey is one of sixteen firms nationwide, and the only in Devon and Cornwall, to be selected for the NFU’s legal panel.
Foot Anstey was chosen after an intensive six month period when the NFU reviewed 82 tender documents and interviewed 41 legal firms from all over England and Wales.
The NFU has extended the original seven member panel 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.
Foot Anstey, along with the other panel firms, have agreed to offer a discount to NFU farmer and grower members from 13th May 2008. The discount applies to hourly rates charged on cases, whether contentious or non-contentious, relating directly to their business and also extends to advice relating to ancillary businesses linked to the main farming or growing business.
Simon Gregory, Chairman of Foot Anstey and the partner in charge of the NFU contract, said “To win our place on the NFU panel we needed to show both quality in our advice and commitment to the industry in Devon and Cornwall.
“Our merger in 2007 with Truro based Hancock Caffin, a firm with a proud history of advising the farming sector clearly helped us win this work.
“We are delighted to have been chosen and our Agricultural Team in Exeter, Plymouth and Truro are looking forward to providing a really local but high quality service to more farmers in the region.”
Introducing members of the new panel during at the official launch, on Monday May 12, 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. Each of the chosen firms is 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% 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.”
Published 13/05/2008
