Tesco is currently launching its own range of legal services, after Lord Falconer’s call for an increase in cheaper and more accessible legal advice.
Initially offering low price will writing and storage services, Tesco Legal will expand the offering to include a DIY divorce kit for just over seven pounds, which will end a marriage without the use of a solicitor or legal professional.
The leading supermarket chain is also set to roll out DIY letting agreements and packs containing all forms people need to set up a limited company. These packs are accompanied by an online help service and a glossary of terms to help navigate the complexities of legalise. For more intricate legal problems the site offers a solicitors directory of those who can offer more complicated advice.
Experts in the field have said that Tesco Legal Store is set to be a frontrunner, but that many other companies will follow suit, offering an even wider range of cut price or self service legal services, particularly after the reform of the ownership rules which previously governed law firms.
After the consultation document was announced back in July 2009, Falconer suggested that the so called ‘Tesco law’ would be a benchmark for legal advice being offered to the public via a range of high street companies, although Sir David Clementi, who spearheaded the consultation, played down the idea and branded the term ‘Tesco law’ a distraction from the matter in hand.
Whatever term you want to give it, the prospect of DIY or budget law is certainly a likely one, and if it is rolled out across more companies then the likelihood will be that fewer people will seek legal advice via the traditional channels, with many in the field raising concerns about the quality of this type of legality and urging the public to continue using reputable solicitors practices.
However, The Law Society, seem unconcerned about their members seeing a drop in clients, issuing a statement saying they see Tesco Legal as an “innovative addition to the market”.
Cheshire solicitors, Oneill Morgan have expertise in a wide range of legal areas, so if you need advice then visit www.oneill-morgan.co.uk to find out more about wills and probate and other areas of law.