05 April 2012 / Dr Jon Robins

Issue: 7509 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services , Profession

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Good for everyone?

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As the Co-op makes legal history, Jon Robins goes behind the scenes

No surprises then that the Co-op is first off the starting blocks in the ABS race. The retailer, together with two high street firms (John Welch & Stammers and Lawbridge Solicitors Ltd), became the first Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) licensed alternative business structure (ABS). The Co-operative Legal Services becomes, in the words of its press release, the first “consumer brand” officially to be licensed by the SRA under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007).

Building business

While the progress of QualitySolicitors polarises the high street profession, the Co-op has been quietly building its legal services profile with remarkable speed. In less than six years, the retailer has built a business from scratch to one that currently has some 450 staff. A new recruitment drive is expected to increase staff levels by another third before the end of the year.

QualitySolicitors might well have private equity investment to fund a £15m advertising campaign designed by Team Saatchi no less.

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Good for everyone?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

As the Co-op makes legal history, Jon Robins goes behind the scenes

No surprises then that the Co-op is first off the starting blocks in the ABS race. The retailer, together with two high street firms (John Welch & Stammers and Lawbridge Solicitors Ltd), became the first Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA) licensed alternative business structure (ABS). The Co-operative Legal Services becomes, in the words of its press release, the first “consumer brand” officially to be licensed by the SRA under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007).

Building business

While the progress of QualitySolicitors polarises the high street profession, the Co-op has been quietly building its legal services profile with remarkable speed. In less than six years, the retailer has built a business from scratch to one that currently has some 450 staff. A new recruitment drive is expected to increase staff levels by another third before the end of the year.

QualitySolicitors might well have private equity investment to fund a £15m advertising campaign designed by Team Saatchi no less.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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