The AOP Legal and Tax Telephone Helpline Service

This is a 24-hour service, provided by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company, on any personal or work-related legal, tax or VAT problem. The special features of this service are:

• All calls are dealt with by staff qualified in the appropriate disciplines.
• Operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year but 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday for tax and VAT issues. (DAS will arrange calls-back for members calling outside these hours for tax advice.)
• No time limit is imposed on any one problem. 
• To ensure an accurate record your calls are recorded for future reference.
• Advice will cover self-representation at small claims courts and tribunals. 
• The helpline is available to you and any member of your family normally residing with you. 
• Where it is necessary for a member to have legal representation the service can advise you how to select an appropriate lawyer.

Telephone 0844 893 0956, giving your name and AOP membership number, which you will find on your AOP membership card. The .pdf document download, below, provides more information about the service and the helpline's non-geographic (0844) telephone code.

Please note: The AOP in-house legal team’s expertise covers regulation of the profession under the Opticians Act 1989, ophthalmic services, primary care, complaints, claims or potential claims for which members are covered by AOP malpractice or product liability insurance or legal protection services. All enquiries relating to these matters must be directed to the AOP legal department (telephone 020-75 49 20 20). Members must NOT contact DAS in respect of these matters.