Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

Following its approval under the new Alternative Business Structure (see archive March 2012) Co-operative Legal Services has just announced a major expansion of its activities, including the employment of 3000 new staff (most of them legally qualified) over the next five years. These will include significant training opportunities for young lawyers.

Building on their current operation in Bristol, the plan is to open 5 additional hubs in different parts of the country, as well as a specialist family law unit to be based in London.

The focus of the company is on issues that impact on ordinary people: buying and selling houses; employment issues; probate and will writing; and personal injury.

Much of the advice and work will be undertaken on-line, using new website formats, though face-to-face services will be offered where appropriate.

The one surprising omission on their present list of activities is housing law – landlords and tenants often need legal advice and assistance in creating and ending tenancies.

For more detail go to http://www.co-operative.coop/legalservices/