Legal Corner I
by Owen Hill, Consultant Solicitor of Hooper & Wollen Solicitors
SOLICITORS AT YOUR SUPERMARKET
....COMING SOON
n the bad old days – when Solicitors were qualified and regulated from a posh building in Chancery Lane by the Law Society – advertising was not allowed. Solicitors were regarded as gentlefolk who should not need to stoop to the use of media to create a reputation. The law firms of old evolved from recommendations and introductions made by other professionals. It was widely regarded as a closed shop and very difficult to justify in a modern world where competition was increasingly regarded as the norm and the consumer became king.
Things have changed and we live in a better world as a result. Buying and selling a house is no longer dependant on clerks using ink quills to create deeds using parchment paper and ribbons – with a touch of sealing wax. The whole process is computerised now and the cost of the service to the consumer is a fraction of what it used to be.
Nowadays it is common to hear law firms advertising on the radio for your instructions to claim compensation for that accident you had recently. I have even received a text from a 0845 number that suggested I could get £3,000 compensation for some reason or other but I did not text back to find out how. The Legal Services Act is about to move the profession into a new era with new rules that
apply from the 6th October this year. It will no longer be necessary for law firms to be owned and managed by lawyers. At first glance - this may not seem to carry any obvious advantage to the consumer but think again. The rules have been fairly described as opening the door to Tesco Law.
The South Devon Law Firm
Property • Disputes • Family & Childcare Wills & Probate • Tax • Powers of Attorney Company & Commercial • Hospitality Industry
The experience, dedication and values to support you, your family and your business
Torquay 01803 213251 Paignton 01803 521692 Dartmouth 01803 832191
www.hooperwollen.co.uk
This firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (No 49922)
The last time I was at the supermarket checkout – I was tempted by the wide array of leaflets suggesting that I take out life cover, insure my home, invest some money or sign up for a better mobile service. Seems that there may soon be other options like Making my Last Will and Testament or Getting Divorced. There is so much done on line these days that few of us think it necessary to refer to an insurance broker for advice about motor or home insurance when the cheapest option can be discovered in seconds on comparison websites. Perhaps legal services will go the same way with clever call centres and 24/7 operations. It could change the legal landscape forever and mean that I will be able to sail off into the sunset soon just taking calls from clients and offering advice on a premium rate connection to my mobile? Yippee!
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