A London solicitor has launched a Web site to provide a discussion forum for criminal solicitors.

Gavin Burrell, assistant solicitor at Duncan Lewis, set up the site to allow criminal solicitors and anyone interested in the criminal justice system to freely exchange opinions and information.

The Web site is primarily a discussion board, but also gives news about criminal legislation.

It features a personal Web log of Mr Burrell's experiences as a criminal solicitor, as well as any rumours he has heard about criminal contracting.

Visitors are asked to register by providing an e-mail address and can participate in discussions and view past postings.

So far 50 solicitors have registered with the site.

Mr Burrell said: 'The idea is to make everyone aware of what is going on in criminal law and provide a place for solicitors to discuss criminal issues.

Discussions so far have been about criminal contracts, the CDS (Criminal Defence Service) Direct pilot and new codes of practice.'

He added: 'Unlike some other services, solicitors do not have to subscribe, and they do not have to actively participate to see what people have said in the past.'

Mr Burrell constructed the Web site himself using portal design package Soop Portal.

LINK: www.criminalsolicitor.net

Rachel Rothwell