City firm Charles Russell and national practice Addleshaw Goddard are among ten practices that have teamed up with a new organisation aimed at divorces.

The law firms, specially selected by new company Union for their sensitivity, will provide helplines offering 15 minutes of free legal advice, seminars, and offer discounts on fees in exchange for referrals.

The other firms include Cumberland Ellis Peirs in London and Surrey-based Mundays.

Union's unusual services include tips on grooming, intimacy counselling, and social events to meet other divorced or separated people.

Other law firms will be able to buy Union membership at a reduced rate as a benefit for their clients.

Nigel Shepherd, head of family law at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester, said: 'We will run a helpline for half a day per week, and if clients take us on, our discount is likely to cover the whole cost of their 250 Union membership fee.'

Union chairwoman Laurel Herman said: 'As a divorce myself, I have felt miffed by solicitors in the past.

We have chosen firms which offer real understanding.'

Rachel Rothwell