North East 1 was an English Rugby Union league which was at the 7th tier of the domestic competition and was available to teams in North East England.

Promoted teams moved up to North 2 East while relegated teams dropped to North East 2.

The division was abolished at the end of the 1999–2000 season due to RFU restructuring with teams either being moved up to North 2 East or dropping down to regional leagues such as Yorkshire 1 or Durham/Northumberland 1.

However, North East 1 remained as a league, but one rung further down the ladder.

When league rugby began in 1987 this division contained the following teams: The original North East 1 was a tier 7 league with promotion up to North Division 2 and relegation down to North East 2.