Tees awarded ‘NFU Legal Panel Excellence’ title by the National Farmers’ Union

Tees was recently presented with the ‘NFU Legal Panel Excellence Award 2019’ by Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

One of 16 firms carefully re-selected by the NFU to sit on its Legal Panel this year (and one of just two firms in East Anglia), Tees has a reputation for excellence in agricultural and rural matters, and offers specialist legal advice and guidance to NFU member firms through NFU CallFirst, the helpline for its members and its Legal Assistance Scheme. The Scheme provides farmers and growers with financial support, professional guidance and a contribution towards professional costs in the case of legal disputes affecting their businesses as farmers or growers.

Each year, the prestigious ‘NFU Legal Panel Excellence’ award recognises the NFU Legal Panel firm considered to be providing the very highest standards of legal assistance and client service to NFU members. Caroline Metcalf, a Partner at Tees’ Bishops Stortford office, collected the award on the firm’s behalf from the NFU President at the NFU’s headquarters in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. Caroline, who oversees Tees’ responsibilities on the Legal Panel and its involvement with the NFU and its Legal Assistance Scheme, was delighted to receive the award in recognition of Tees’ dedication to, and deep involvement with, the rural community. This is also a special year to win the award at it marks the 10th anniversary of the NFU Legal Panel in its current format. 

“I am extremely proud to receive, on behalf of Tees, the NFU Legal Panel Excellence Award this year,” Caroline said after the award presentation. “The Award is a recognition of the cumulative hard work and effort that has produced significant success in a number of cases that myself and the team have been involved with this year.”

NFU East Anglia Regional Director Rachel Carrington congratulated Tees on this outstanding achievement.

“Our members are facing an ever-increasing regulatory burden and it is essential we have the right firms in place on our Legal Panel – firms such as Tees, that can offer the support they need,” she said.

“Tees has a strong agricultural and rural team and this national award is testament to the knowledge and expertise it provides. The award provides reassurance to our members that, if they need help with legal issues, their case will be in safe hands.”

As the New Year approaches, Caroline and her team will remain as committed as ever to providing their now award-winning customer service and legal expertise to NFU members.