ABS launches 'real law, made easy' service to 'shake up' legal market

A law firm owned by a global insurance gianthas promised to ‘shake up’ the market with a new online consultation and 24-hour legal advice service.

Taking inspiration from market 'disruptors', such as high-end food delivery business Deliveroo, Amazon, and Uber, national firm LHS Solicitors is rolling out its new services to businesses and membership organisations in a bid to become the most recognised legal brand to SMEs.

The ABS is offering a new 'quick review' service that allows SMEs to send legal documents online, promising of a two-hour review and 30-minute phone consultation with one of its lawyers, all for a mere £50. If the consultation is converted into an instruction, then the fee is credited to the client's final bill.

The firm's legal advice telephone service already handles around 150,000 calls from Federation of Small Business members but it hopes that its latest initiative will increase the number further.

Owned by US-based Markel Corporation since 2014, the firm's 'real law, made easy' philosophy has led to the launch of a revamped website that sees real lawyers act as 'talking heads' and provide bitesize advice - free of legalese - to potential clients.

LHS is also publishing a growing library of legal content, including checklists, infographics, guides, and tools to make it easier for the public to resolve legal issues themselves without the use of a lawyer.

The firm, which employs more than 120 staff in London, Croydon and Manchester, posted revenues of US$15m in 2014.

Richard Candy, managing director of LHS, said: 'The time for small and medium-sized businesses to get a better deal when it comes to buying legal services is long overdue. We strongly believe that law firms need to fundamentally change the way they operate to give customers more choice, more transparency on costings and a speedier and more relevant service.

'We're confident we're one of the only law firms in England and Wales with the resources and the most intimate knowledge of small and medium sized businesses to deliver what they really need and want on a day-to-day basis. This includes 24-hour legal advice, rapid response times, and clear, no-nonsense fees all delivered by real people who clients can talk to or meet,' he added.

'During the next five years, the legal market will move more towards a retail-style, consumer-driven approach to the delivery of more convenient legal solutions for businesses. We're proud to be pioneers and we're excited to be leading the way.'

The launch comes as legal businesses come under increasing scrutiny from regulators and pressure from clients to make their services a dramatically better experience.

The Competition and Markets Authority is set to examine the marketplace following concerns over standards and affordability of legal services, along with the complexity of the current regulatory framework.