City firm offers solicitors on-line training scheme.

Simmons & Simmons has launched the first in a series of on-line training modules through its Internet site, www.elexica.com - the first Internet service provider (ISP) to be offered by a law firm.

The first module, aimed at providing training for clients and in-house solicitors, will deal with disclosure in civil litigation.

The on-line training facility will provide users with news, information, recent cases and precedents.

They will then be able to test their knowledge, and claim continuing professional development (CPD) hours, by taking a multiple choice test.

In the next few months, the firm plans to launch other modules dealing with human rights, witness evidence and alternative risk transfer.

The courses are Law Society-approved, although not accredited.

Solicitors can earn up to 75% of their CPD requirement from unaccredited courses.

Since elexica.com was launched last November, the firm has added an e-mail alert service - elexica insider - to update users on developments in the law.

Sue Allen