Fish leGal

Fish Legal

Fish Legal is a unique membership association using the law to fight pollution and protect fish stocks on behalf of its members throughout the UK. It is united in a collaborative relationship with the Angling Trust, the national representative body for angling in England.

Fish Legal has successfully fought everyone from rogue farmers to multinational corporations on behalf of its members, even in cases where the authorities have decided to take no action. We fight pollution cases against companies large and small and 100% of the compensation we secure is put back where it is most needed: with the angling clubs and fishery owners affected so that they can restore their fisheries.

What support will I receive as a Fish Legal member?

Direct access to lawyers specialising in environmental and fisheries law

The full cost of barristers and expert scientists if they are needed to fight your case

Who can join Fish Legal?

The protection of a ‘fighting fund’ that has been built up through members’ subscriptions, donations and legacies over several decades

The costs of paying the other side’s legal costs in the unlikely event that your case is lost in court

Access to a large range of factsheets on common legal issues affecting fisheries and angling clubs including disability law, health and safety, navigation law, GDPR and pitfalls to look out for in leases and licences

Fish Legal uses the civil law to take legal action on behalf of members who hold fishing rights. If you are an angling club, a federation that owns fishing rights, a syndicate, a riparian owner, a commercial fishery owner or a charter boat owner, you are eligible for legal action through your membership of Fish Legal. If you are an individual member, you do not receive this benefit, but your valued support and subscription are vital to help fund the work we do.

Is membership value for money?

In comparison to the hourly rates charged by solicitors advising in private practice, and the huge costs involved in taking civil claims to trial at court, Fish Legal membership is excellent value for money. The price paid for an annual membership subscription is much less than the cost of a few hours of these legal services elsewhere, and membership removes the risk of paying the other side’s costs if you lose a claim.

Join fish Legal: Contact the membership team on 01568 620447 or email admin@fishlegal.net Full details about membership rates can be found at: www.fishlegal.net/join-us