Firm names its priceON-LINE LAW: solicitors panel offers fixed-fee adviceAn on-line law firm offering fixed-fee advice and loyalty discounts for frequent users was launched this week by an ex-City solicitor with a panel of freelance solicitors.Lawgym.com incorporates the VATad.com site, which was the first venture into virtual legal work by Patricia Ogunfeibo, formerly an assistant in the tax department of City firm Watson Farley Williams.

(see [2000] Gazette, May 18, 10).It offers clients seven different ways to pay for the advice, dependent on delivery costs: for example, if the advice is needed urgently, clients can use the telephone, costing 75 for 30 minutes (plus VAT).

If the advice is less urgent, it can be received in writing within the hour for 85 plus VAT, within 12 hours for 65, or by telephone at an appointed time for 30.Ms Ogunfeibo, the chief executive officer of lawgym.com, explained that the sites aim is to provide its clients with more of a choice.Customers can essentially choose how much they pay for their legal advice, and decide how they receive that advice depending on their needs and their urgency, she said.

Its a case of empowering the customer and giving them more control in the whole process.The site also offers customers loyalty points where the more they spend can earn discounts on future legal advice.

The legal advice is provided by a panel of solicitors, currently three strong, all with at least ten years legal experience.

Ms Ogunfeibo said this helps to keep costs down: Because the lawyers work on a freelance basis, we do not have their salaries to pay for, and that combined with a lack of other overheads such as secretaries means that we can offer legal advice which is real value for money.

Victoria MacCallum