Three law firms with major offices in Bristol have been reappointed to the National Farmers Union’s (NFU) legal panel following an intensive six-month review.
Clarke Willmott, Foot Anstey and Thring’s three-year appointments will continue until 2021. 
The panel provides NFU members with direct and discounted access to legal firms specifically selected for their reputation and expertise in agricultural and horticultural, including property issues, tenancies, disputes, rural planning and regulatory matters, as well as non-farming areas such as diversification, tax planning, probate, family and conveyancing.
During the six-month review the NFU – the largest farmers’ member organisation in England and Wales – considered existing panellists’ legal services, fee structures and commitment to the organisation and its members, along with feedback from NFU members and staff.
Clarke Willmott will continue to offer discounted legal services to NFU members across Dorset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, Foot Anstey in Devon and Cornwall and Thrings in the South East region, which includes Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Clarke Willmott partner and head of sector, Tim Hayden, pictured below right, said: “We are delighted that our panel firm status has been renewed. This reflects our excellent relationship with the NFU generally and endorses our development as one of the largest agriculture teams in the country.” 
Foot Anstey head of agriculture Edward Venmore, pictured below left, added: “We are proud and delighted to retain our position as one of 15 firms on the NFU panel after a robust review process.
“We have worked hard to develop our relationships with the NFU and its members across the region. We look forward to continuing our specialist work in the years ahead.”
Thrings’ reappointment extends its 30-year relationship with the NFU. The firm, which has the largest specialist agricultural team of any legal practice in the UK, has been a member of the panel since it was established in its current format by the NFU in 2008.
It provides specialist legal advice to farmers, landowners and those involved in the business of agriculture from its offices in Bristol, London, Bath, Swindon and Romsey, as well as Frome Livestock Market.
Clarke Willmott has seven offices across the UK including Bristol while Foot Anstey operates from bases in Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Truro, Southampton and London as well as Bristol.
The NFU legal panel offered a total discount of more than £400,000 to its members in the last financial year.
NFU director of finance and business services Ken Sutherland said: “The legal panel is a vital part of the services offered to NFU members, and following a rigorous and robust review process I am delighted to confirm that fifteen firms have been reappointed.
“The firms have built upon and strengthened their agricultural and rural teams, and their professionalism and depth of knowledge is second-to-none.”
Chairman of the legal board, Trevor Foss, added: “The increase in regulation in the industry over the past few years has put the legal panel in high demand and we are committed to delivering a high-quality service for all.”
