The Times reports today that Stobart Group, the logistics business best known for its distinctive lorry fleet, is launching a legal service that will connect retail customers and small businesses with barristers without going through a solicitor. Stobart will take a percentage of the fee charged by the barristers. The “Stobart Barristers” website is here.
This is another development in the market for legal services, liberalised following the introduction of the alternative business structures regime. The Stobart legal service has grown out of the use of barristers by Stobart’s own business, which The Times reports has not used solicitors since 2008. The senior Stobart lawyer responsible for the new service is quoted as saying:
“This is a new market for the group and one where we see significant potential to grow by offering the public the chance to benefit from a model we have successfully honed for our own business over the last few years.”
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