investment in nfu sub paid off big time

[Guy Smith]

Costs are confidential.

Hopefully some on here now better understand the benefits.

Most members get it.

 

[Penmoel]

Surely because the NFU/ the farmers won the case and the farmer got a large pay out Then the NFU/ the farmer will have been awarded a large % of their costs to be paid by the losing side

Someone still needs to put the money up first, even if a recovery is possible later.

What I think this thread shows is that the NFU is poor at getting across what benefits you get from membership of the NFU on issues like this.

And when some people are told of those benefits they still mock them.

 

[S J H]

I am offered legal costs insurance by my insurer every year upon review.
I do not place any insurance with the NFU, their quote is never competitive.
I am not a member of the NFU.
Well said Clive.

I'm not insured with the nfu, but I am a member with legal assistance,

Half the meetings I go to, I come back thinking why am I paying £300 a year to be a member, but then I do wonder where we would be without them, there's some very clued up people at regional level. I'd rather be a member than a free loader.

If I wasn't a member of the nfu then I'd be with the cla for the legal advise.

I think I pay £30 legal for nfu, for another company I pay my insurer £120 for accounts and legal insurance.

 

[Flyer]

Do the NFU LAS retain a particular law firm or will they work with anyone?

I see it was Michelmore's fighting this one, are they the NFU's preferred choice?

 

[Flasheart]

Do the NFU LAS retain a particular law firm or will they work with anyone?

I see it was Michelmore's fighting this one, are they the NFU's preferred choice?

Each county has a retained panel firm of solicitors, some do more than one county. I think you can use your own solicitor as well if they have the expertise. The panel solicitors should give members a discounted rate for any matter, regardless of Nfu legal assistance subs.

As as been said the assistance scheme normally only backs to 5k? but where a case has a national interest, such as the afore mentioned tenancy issue, they will support it big time.

 

[Walton2]

I had NFU LAS cover a few years ago......used it in a claim against...................NFU Mutual......you couldn't make this up!
Got nowhere,used up the funds available......went a bit public....they settled in no time.
Changed insurers....saved the value of that claim with reduced premiums over the first two years!!!

 

[Funny Farmer]

I had NFU LAS cover a few years ago......used it in a claim against...................NFU Mutual......you couldn't make this up!
Got nowhere,used up the funds available......went a bit public....they settled in no time.
Changed insurers....saved the value of that claim with reduced premiums over the first two years!!!

LOL

 

[cattow]

NFU legal insurance is provided by a company called DAS

 

[Penmoel]

NFU legal insurance is provided by a company called DAS

Wrong,,!
Nfu mutual legal protection cover is administered by DAS.

NFU legal assistance is administered by theNFU legal assistance board.

NFU and NFU Mutual are not the same.

 

[cattow]

Wrong,,!
Nfu mutual legal protection cover is administered by DAS.

NFU legal assistance is administered by theNFU legal assistance board.

NFU and NFU Mutual are not the same.

Correct I missed the Mutual out

 

[cattow]

In the late 80's we looked at the next farm to Staple Park the agent said it was on the edge of the Vale of Taunton, when we got there it was on the Blackdown Hills very different land !

 

[Will Blackburn]

Could someone who has the benefits of NFU membership and the legal assistance insurance, please clarify if it is still the case that they don't want to know , if the person that you have the dispute with is also a NFU member?

We had a quota dispute in the 1980's with an insolvent Ltd Co. They were members as well, so no use in that case.

 

[Funny Farmer]

A bit off piste but wouldn't it be better if the NFU worked out its subs on business turnover rather than acres?

 

[borderterribles]

We had a quota dispute in the 1980's with an insolvent Ltd Co. They were members as well, so no use in that case.

Same here. The only time I ever needed their legal assistance, the other party were NFU members, so Oh dear, sorry we can't help.

 

[Spud]

In my experience, NFU CallFirst is almost worth the premium alone. Yes insurance with the Mutual is not always the cheapest. Try experiencing a cheap firm when it comes to a claim. I know who I'd rather deal with! They are not beyond bartering!!

 

[orbost]

I use call first and find them excellent .

 

[glasshouse]

Nfu england seems more able to help than scottish branch.
I was promised help only to have it withdrawn with much time wasted

 

[Penmoel]

I use call first and find them excellent .

True. Not enough members actually make use of the service, just like many aspects of the NFU

. If you don't use it and get involved you don't know the depth of what's available.

 

[Clive]

I've had a look at this at HQ this afternoon. The first thing our legal bods told me was I mustn't talk about the exact figures because of client confidentiality. That is very frustrating as it would stuff some of the ignorant anti-NFU drivel above back where the sun don't shine. But if I know one thing about NFU staff is they are very professional and I always respect their advice.

Suffice to say our LAS paid out far far more than £5000 and NFU legal staff played key roles at key times. It was a tough fought case. So congrstulations to them and well done the LAS board for their shrewd judgement.

What needs to be remembered here is when our LAS board and staff consider cases they look at its merits but, just as important, take into account what principles and precedents it might set. That way we all benefit, even those who don't contribute.

If it truly is a good news story for the NFU then its not the best written press release ever, clear as mud IMO

If it was all down to the NFU LAS why does it mention legal insurance ? and if that additional cover was provided by the NFU why doesn't it say so ? surely they would be good points to shout about in a well written PR ?

I would also suggest that the linked NFU webpage that says pretty clearly that the max payout is £5000 for this £33 policy should promote that £5000 isn't actually the maximum if again that is the case

It's all as clear and vague as it gets IMO, personally I wouldn't touch an insurance policy that has a "discretionary" payout with a barge poll, I prefer a bit of certainty for my money

And for the record there is no doubt the NFU does some great work on behalf of some of its members, UK ag would without doubt be poorer without a union than it is with one,

 

[Guy Smith]

The NFU did not write the press release. As explained above - confidentiality prevents us from releasing the level of information you say you would like to see. Client confidentiality comes before PR - quite rightly so.

The discretionary ability to award more than £5000 allows the Union to support cases which we feel could set important principle or precedent that could benefit all members. Private legal insurance would not take such concerns into consideration.

As far as I'm concerned it one of the best £33 quids worth I spend all year.