Epoch to offer Desktop Lawyer on subscription

Epoch Software, the company behind Desktop Lawyer, has signed a partnership agreement with Royal and SunAlliance to promote its new subscription-based service.Epoch will work with First Assist, Royal and SunAlliance's legal advice and insurance subsidiary, to market LawAssure from September.LawAssure offers subscribers unlimited access to Desktop Lawyer's raft of routine legal documents and on-line law guide.

The cost is as yet undetermined, but will be less than 10 a month for consumers.

Small businesses will pay a little more.Subscribers will be able to customise their own legal documents on-line in a range of areas, including wills, undefended divorce, confidentiality, employment, tenancy or copyright agreements, partnership deeds, acknowledgement of debt, sale of cars and shareholders'agreements.Documents are produced by Epoch's 'intelligent document' system, Rapidocs.

Users are presented with an interactive template that guides them through a series of questions with the aid of embedded text help.Under the terms of the agreement, First Assist's legal advice service will provide unlimited legal telephone advice and support services to Desktop Lawyer customers.

The deal means that First Assist will be able to expand the range of legal and insurance services it offers, while Desktop Lawyer can tap into the large new market offered by the Royal and SunAlliance customer base.Richard Cohen, Epoch's joint chief executive, said: 'This agreement means that no one should have to pay high costs for routine legal services.

On-line intelligent legal documents with telephone support enables users to manage legal administration quickly, cheaply and independently.'

Rowland Byass