LegalSolutions on hand to diagnose client needs

A Plymouth-based sole practitioner who describes himself as a 'legal GP', referring clients to other solicitors and 'project managing' their cases for them, has launched an on-line referral service.

The solicitor behind LegalSolutions is litigation specialist Stephen Ramsden, a former partner at Exeter firm Tozers, which he left to launch LegalSolutions.

Like FirstLAW, the Internet law firm launched earlier this year (see Gazette [2000] 3 February), LegalSolutions matches clients with the firms appropriate to their case.

But unlike FirstLaw, it is not an Internet-only firm.

According to Mr Ramsden, his site is 'only a facet of the firm.

I am also aiming at the 80% or so of people not on the Internet'.

LegalSolutions will also refer clients to firms not registered with the site, if they are considered the best for the case.

'I'm like a legal GP,' said Mr Ramsden of his service.

'I give an initial diagnosis of a client's needs.

From my extensive knowledge of the legal market, I then refer them to the specialist who will best handle their case.'

Registration with LegalSolutions is free for both clients and solicitors.

Legal Solutions will recover a flat rate of 10% of the solicitor's fees on cases referred via its site.

Rowland Byass

LINKS: www.legsol.co.uk