I am delighted that the recent story about the Lawyers2you franchise launch by Blakemores has sparked debate.

I note that some within the legal profession have been quick to criticise the approach as ‘undignified’; see it as labour-intensive; and highlight the fact that it is more desirable for clients to see a qualified solicitor in a private office. I wonder if they have truly registered that those who cling to what has always been, rather than embrace the sweeping changes ahead, will almost certainly get left behind.

Do they still believe that standing on the sidelines, believing there is no need to change, is a better way forward than adopting new ideas to help them proactively market and sell their legal services in what is becoming a highly competitive market? I stand by my comment that the lack of imaginative marketing and client care shown by many law firms is precisely why Lawyers2you is a good idea.

Marketing skills and great customer service have never been part of training for the profession. Yet, as law firms prepare to compete in the era of ‘Tesco law’, surely a move towards making legal services to the public more accessible and friendly, without compromising on quality expert advice from qualified legal professionals, is to be applauded.

Will Joe Public appreciate the service? Well, with 74 leads generated across personal injury, civil, employment, private client, immigration and family cases by one Lawyers2you licensee last month, producing in the region of £500,000 of new business, the future’s looking bright.

Oh, and before I get shouted down for having an interest (our team is training and coaching law firms in converting leads into cases, and introducing and vetting practices as potential franchise partners), 360 Legal Group has been advocating positive action of this kind since 2004.

Viv Williams, chief executive, 360 Legal Group, Bristol