North Yorkshire law firm Crombie Wilkinson has secured two significant contract renewals.
Crombie Wilkinson has been re-appointed as one of two law firms on the National Farmers Union (NFU) Legal Panel for the Northeast following an intensive six-month review.
The firm has also had its Legal Aid Agency contract renewed, meaning it can continue to provide legal services to clients who are eligible for legal aid in certain types of family matters.
The NFU appointed the legal panel in its current form in May 2008, and review it every three years. Crombie Wilkinson was successfully appointed for the Northeast region in 2008 and for 10 years have been providing members and the farming community with specialist agricultural legal advice.
Commenting on the renewal of the firm’s participation in the NFU Legal Panel, Jennifer Bartram, senior director and head of the agricultural law team, said: “I am pleased to say that our growth and depth of knowledge, the discount we offer on our hourly rates, alongside a wide range of legal services that we provide to the farming and rural community, feedback from NFU staff and members, highlight our continuing commitment to the NFU and were all factors in our reappointment for a further three years.”
She added: “Our bond with the agricultural community in Yorkshire has grown and strengthened over this time. We have a greater knowledge and experience both legal and practical about the issues and challenges faced by the farming community. Our reputation has been built over the years due to our hand-on involvement and providing the flexibility clients need—wellies are always in the back of CW staff cars! We enjoy the work and the people in farming, many of our team have personal farming connections and backgrounds.”
NFU regional director Adam Bedford said: “I am delighted that Crombie Wilkinson has been re-appointed as one of the North East NFU Legal Panel firms. We have worked with them for a long number of years and we know they provide a superb service to the farming community and beyond. We look forward to working with them in the future to best serve the interests of our farming and growing membership.”
Crombie Wilkinson’s application to renew its Legal Aid Agency contract was equally intensive, according to Chris Myles, director and head of the family law team.
He said “I’m pleased to confirm that the firms applications for new legal aid contracts in family law and family mediation has been successful. We have had to go through an intensive process to make the applications, be granted provisional approval and finally a verification stage. All passed with flying colours.”
“The contract with the Legal Aid Agency means that where appropriate, we can obtain legal aid for our family clients to help them access legal services. Our family law team handles many legal aid cases for clients each year and our Legal Aid contract renewal ensures we can continue to deliver this service to those in need.”
