Member Article

Co-op to create 3,000 legal jobs

The Co-operative Group have announced plans to create 3,000 jobs in the legal sector, as it expands its range of services.

Over the next five years, the Co-operative Legal services, which operates out of Bristol, and employs around 450 legally trained and support staff, would open five additional regional hubs across England and Wales.

The Group is also planning to extend its current trail of legal services and funeral planning services, and a new family law operation in London is also set to be launched later this year.

Chief executive, Peter Marks, said: “We already have a first class reputation for delivering professional services.

“We see the law as yet another area where a Co-operative solution can be successfully applied for the customer’s benefit.

“Over the next five years we want to fundamentally change the face of legal services and make access far easier - today’s announcement underlines that ambition.

“We intend to be totally customer focussed and will help customers navigate the legal world so that they are much more comfortable with the experience and the outcomes.

“It is envisaged that about 90 per cent of the roles being created will be actual legal functions, with 10 per cent made up of support staff.

“We are particularly keen to use our expansion as a way to offer opportunities to young people. Legal apprenticeships and opportunities for study leave will form an important part of this major employment opportunity.”

A range of consumer services, including will writing; probate and estate administration; conveyancing; personal injury claims, family law and employment law services - provided through either a convenient telephone service, via the web, or through face-to-face services.

Mr Marks added: “When the new legal services legislation was drafted it was envisaged that it would enable a new range of businesses to enter the closed world of legal services.

“Our ambition is to provide a service that will stop people feeling daunted by the prospect of having to work with a solicitor.

“We believe that the presence of The Co-operative’s trusted brand and values, our UK-wide branch network, first class people and services together with fair and fixed pricing options, will enable customers to find it much easier to access expert legal advice from someone they trust.”

In March, The Co-operative became the first major consumer brand to be granted alternative business structure (ABS) status under the new Legal Services Act, allowing it to offer a range of consumer legal services, previously only available from private solicitors.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .