Groups in link to boost Net advice

The onset of multi-disciplinary advice over the Internet is set to get a boost with the expected link-up between LawGroup, the nationwide network of 55 law firms, and Solicitors Chambers.Solicitors Chambers, a network of sole practitioners under Neil Davidson, pioneered the Virtual Solicitors Chambers last year, winning the Society for Computers and the Law 2000 IT and the law award.

The system offers opportunities for small firms to pool resources and share contacts and know-how.LawGroup is set to sponsor a forthcoming Solicitors Chambers' event and thus consolidate the connection.

In March, Mr Davidson became a non-executive director of Professional Enterprise Group, which runs both LawGroup and Chartergroup, a similar network of accountants that recently announced plans to merge with LawGroup.

LawGroup chairman David Swede is a director and shareholder of Solicitors Chambers.Mr Swede said he saw 'networking in multi-disciplinary networks as a real response to the formation of multi-disciplinary practices by the largest firms'.

There are many synergies between Solicitors Chambers and LawGroup, Mr Swede added, as solicitors in all firms 'have needs that can best be dealt with on-line'.The prospect of admitting people from other professions, such as accountants, gave the project real potential, Mr Swede added.

Jeremy Fleming