Miinister hails ‘huge milestone’ as Co-op’s legal arm becomes ABS
THE Co-operative Group has been granted an alternative business structure (ABS) status under the Legal Services Act.
This means that its legal arm, Co-operative Legal Services, can offer the complete suite of consumer legal services which until now was only available from a firm of solicitors.
The mutual – the first major consumer business to win ABS – now plans to launch a family law offering, initially in London and the South East.
Part of the Manchester-based Co-operative Group, Co-operative Legal Services is based in Bristol and was set up in 2006.
It provides its customers with legal advice and services that was limited to certain areas of personal injury claims; will writing; probate and estate administration; and employment law.
Now it has been granted an ABS licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, it plans to offer a full range of consumer legal services.
It says it will offer customers a service covering all areas of family law on a fixed fee basis and will also assist people through the provision of legal aid.
Eddie Ryan, managing director of Co-operative Legal Services, said: “When the Legal Services Act was first drafted it was envisaged that its enactment would enable consumer brands to enter the closed world of legal services, so this is an historic occasion not only for the Co-operative Legal Services but for all customers needing access to legal services in the UK.
“We are committed to playing a leading role in this new era by offering straightforward value-for-money expert legal services, backed by an ethos of social responsibility and a level of protection that can be provided by a diverse, multi-billion pound organisation.”
Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly MP said: “This is a huge milestone for UK legal services and the future of Alternative Business Structures.
“ABSs introduce more competition in the market place, delivering competitive pricing, higher standards of product and more choice for the consumer.”
