Law firms have been invited to register for free on what is claimed to be the first legal services price comparison website to give consumers instant details of costs.

Nick Miller, who has practised in the Hull area as a high street practitioner for 22 years, is launching wigster.com with funding from a private equity investor. Free registration is available now and firms who obtain work through the site will be charged a referral fee. The wigster.com brand will be promoted later in the year with what Miller describes as ‘high-profile’ TV, radio and press campaigns.

He said: ‘The site will give costs instantly, rather than "upon application", which is what other sites do. The aim is to develop an approachable brand for consumers who otherwise find lawyers and their fees daunting.’

Miller expects law firms offering conveyancing, employment, debt, personal injury, wills & probate, road traffic accident, business and other consumer-focused advice to sign up. Thirty have registered in the first 10 days of marketing and a further 100 have expressed interest, Miller said.