National consumer law firm Slater & Gordon, based in King Street, Watford, has joined forces with $500m technology business LegalShield to launch a pioneering legal service.
The two companies have teamed up to roll out a new app-based legal service dedicated to consumers – a first for the UK – which will make advice and support from qualified lawyers more affordable and accessible than ever before.
LegalShield has developed the app called LegalDefence™, which offers wide ranging consumer legal advice and support for just £24 per month, covering everything from family matters and disputes with landlords and neighbours; to driving and parking offences.
The company has already attracted 1.75m subscribers to its subscription-based service in North America.
Slater and Gordon will be providing top level legal advice and support through its qualified team of lawyers across the country, including Watford, to offer the 24/7 service.
Customers will be able to tap into advice from a qualified legal adviser via their smartphones, access self-help legal documents and template letters and benefit from correspondence produced by a highly qualified lawyer.
Members can also take advantage of significant discounts on wills, conveyancing and re-mortgaging, as well as more complex legal matters requiring specialist support such as family and employment issues.
Mike Roberts, Managing Director of LegalShield, said:
“People in Watford, as well as the rest of the country, are being denied access to justice on a whole range of everyday issues because they don’t find it affordable to have someone there to fight their corner. LegalDefence is here to give those people a voice, backed up by a major national law firm.”
“We know that in life, law happens, so think of us like the Netflix or the AA for the legal sector. More than 1.75 million people in North America have already subscribed to our app, which is all about making legal services for consumers affordable, accessible and accountable.”
“By combining the power of technology with high level legal expertise from Slater and Gordon, we are giving everyone the sort of legal firepower that, until now has only been available to a select few. As a subscriber, you’ll be able to pick up your phone and have unlimited access to a team of legal advisors to discuss whatever you need, whenever you need it.”
Added value features include the ability for a member to send a photograph of a notice of intended prosecution via the app to their legal adviser in the event of a driving offence.
There is also an AI-powered Chatbot called Gordon, who is available to answer questions on a multitude of consumer legal matters.
The benefits of membership extend to the member’s spouse/partner, dependent children under the age of 16 and children in full time education up to the age of 23 living at the same residence.
It also covers children with disabilities at any age living at home.
LegalDefence is looking to capitalise on the significant demand for affordable consumer legal services in the UK.
Recent research conducted by Morar HPI on behalf of LegalShield showed that nearly seven people in 10 have recently experienced a situation that could require legal support, but less than half of these actually took legal advice.
In addition, 75 per cent of respondents would consider a solicitor if the service was affordable.
Recent annual statistics also highlight the market opportunity with some 102,000 divorces, 2.2m speeding offences, 1.2m property transactions, 18,500 bicycle accidents and 60 per cent of Brits without a will.
Martyn Beauchamp, Chief Customer Officer at Slater and Gordon, said: “Innovating through technology and progressive partnerships is a key part of our strategy to transform the way UK customers use legal services. Our partnership with LegalShield increases access to justice at a fair price and means we can offer UK customers an unrivalled level of choice and convenience – all from the palm of their hand.”
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