Mysterious lawyer launches specialist legal referral site

A Welsh solicitor has become the latest to launch an on-line legal referral service.

The Web site (www.LegalAdvice Free.co.uk) is said to be 'not just another directory'.

It features only one law firm for every 50,000 people in an area and has already signed up 150 law firms.

The male solicitor, who remains cloaked in anonymity, has joined forces with marketeer Harriet Ransome to launch the site.

It plans to sign up 1,200 firms in total, recruited either through personal recommendations or on a first-come, first-served basis.

The cost to firms starts at 200, rising to 350 a year to advertise in all categories on the site.

The site lists law firms by area of specialisation and location.

The site is free to use, and also offers browsers an explanation of their basic legal rights on a specific legal topic.

There is also an on-line quotation facility for conveyancing.

Ms Ransome said the site's philosophy is quality over quantity.

'We choose our firms carefully, through recommendations or careful vetting, and we will never list more than one that specialises in a certain legal area for every 50,000 people,' she said.

Victoria MacCallum