Client-matching website takes aim at claims handling firms
A solicitor has launched a website to bring together prospective clients and solicitors who will take on their cases in an attempt to drive claims handlers out of the process.
The Law Bazaar, set up by Costas Andrea (pictured), who practised as an international litigator for 20 years, invites clients to post anonymised details of their cases free of charge to help them find a lawyer.
Lawyers interested in the case can then contact the client directly. Lawyers pay a one-off charge for each case they accept through the site: £150 for injury cases and £50 for all others.
Thelawbazaar.com also carries clients’ reviews of lawyers and a forum in which they can chat anonymously online about their cases.
Andrea said that the main driver for setting up the site is to remove claims handlers from the process. ‘They do nothing that solicitors could not do themselves,’ he said. ‘I don’t see what they add except expense.’
Beth Powell, head of marketing at the National Accident Helpline, said: ‘Consumers are often more comfortable dealing with an intermediary rather than lawyers in the first instance. Often they are fearful of the legal process and of calling lawyers directly, and just want free advice from a trusted source.’
Andy Hoe, marketing manager at Russell Jones & Walker, which owns Claims Direct, said: ‘The success of the site will depend on how well it promotes itself and whether the public understand what will happen to them. People will use a brand name that they recognise.’
Comments
Claims Handlers
This gentleman's suggestions that claims handlers do nothing that solicitors could not do themselves is a ludricous statement. We have over 2,000 agents collectively bringing in over 4,000 claims per month to various panels of solicitors.
Without us, they would not get anywhere near as much business or revenue! They certainly won't get 4,000 per month from his web site. Oh, and they don't pay us a fee for the claims either!!!
Not so much taking aim at
Not so much taking aim at claims handling firms as joining them. Same principle, different method. Surely self promotion is more cost effective than buying work in?
Law Bazaar "scam"
Surely all that is happening here is that Mr Costas is acting as the middleman and making money on the claims in precisely the same way the "claims handlers" do?! Just because the claims handler happens to also be a solicitor doesn't change the fact that they are acting as a middleman. £150 for an un-vetted web-lead is no cheaper than most claims companies charge so what's the difference? If the true motivation was to "drive claims handlers" out of business - as opposed to making money - then The Law Bazaar would be free and not charge £150 per case! I think any site that sells cases on a "fee per case" basis is contrary to the public interest.
Law Bazaar...
Interesting this.....
If it works then lots of people will be wishing they did it...look at alibaba.com - it's a huge online market place putting buyers and sellers in touch with each other and it works. Is this any different?
Good approved leads can be more cost-effective from a broker. But you have to know what the equivalent lead cost is to be able to compare. How many lawyers know the accurate cost of each self-generated lead.
£150 is not much to spend on a good lead if you can make £1000 in fees.
If the public like it they'll use it. That's the test of this site. And if it works, there'll be another like it coming along.
As for people trusting intermediaries more than going direct to lawyers...it's to do with the packaging more than the service delivery.
I think the most exciting thing is the rankings. Generally the public don't know what Chambers or Legal 500 mean. But an Amazon/Ebay style review of legal work will have a profound impact on the way that people view a law firm. And I'll tell you why...
Next time you're shopping on Amazon for something you are not familiar with I bet you look at the reviews of the product that previous purchasers have written. If I see a bad review that's it. I'm off.
And a series of great reviews means I usually buy. You only have to look at Check A Trade to realise that people are fearful of making a decision when buying. And good reviews help you buy by reducing the risk of buying something.
If this site gets some good cases handled well by competent lawyers and the feedback is genuine it could work. It may be brilliant. It may be bad. But it is bold. And as Del Boy use to say,
He Who Dares Wins...
http://www.greatlegalmarketing.co.uk/LawFirmIdeasForMarketing