NFUS Legal Helpline a Proven Winner
25/02/05

Receiving thousands of calls from NFUS members over the past five years, NFU Scotland's free legal Helpline, run by Gillespie Macandrew, has proven to be one of the most valuable services available to NFUS members.

With the modern farm businesses facing a range of day-to-day legal questions relating to health and safety, occupiers liability, tenancies and employment legislation amongst many other issues, sound and independent legal advice is a necessity for farmers. The Union's free legal Helpline, now entering its sixth year, has proven to be an invaluable source of advice to farmers facing legal difficulties or complicated circumstances.

NFUS Chief Executive Andy Robertson said:

"NFUS is always looking to improve the quality of services it provides for members. Scottish law can appear a quagmire for those with no legal expertise and the Helpline run by Gillespie Macandrew has helped many of our members get clear guidance on the legal issues facing them.

"From access rights, to sick pay, to wind farms; the Helpline has provided invaluable advice on a wide range of issues affecting farm businesses. I would encourage any of our members with a legal question on any topic to use the Helpline."

Speaking at NFU Scotland's AGM today, Ian Turnbull, a partner at Gillespie MacAndrew gave an insight into the work of the Helpline. He said:

"Land, its use and its diversity, is the core of our law firm's business and we were delighted to be invited five years ago to provide this comprehensive service. We have dealt with nearly 3000 calls in those five years consisting of a considerable variety of problems posed and answers given. The front line team is backed up by our full range of expert property, employment, litigation and commercial lawyers."

The NFUS Legal Helpline, provided by Gillespie Macandrew and free to NFUS members, is 0131 271 8585 (office hours).