Content: station will offer CAB-style 'generic advice'

The UK's first TV channel dedicated to law will be launched on Sky next month, with a daily schedule of live topical debate slots and pre-recorded programmes on consumer-oriented legal subjects.


Initially the producers of Legal TV are pitching the programmes predominantly at members of the public currently targeted by companies offering to bring claims on a no win, no fee basis. Advice will be on areas such as personal injury, with the aim of being the televisual equivalent of the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB). Karen Brown, senior channel director and head of production at Legal TV, said: 'We can give out generic advice that might be sourced from the CAB.'


Launch-day guests were still being confirmed at the time of going to press, but Legal TV has taken on Caroline O'Shea - a contestant from Channel 4's first 'Big Brother' show - to host its daily live topical segments.


Among those scheduled to appear on the channel are Court of Appeal judge Lord Justice Sedley, speaking on human rights, and Clifford Chance's graduate recruitment partner Julia Clarke.


'Our intention is to allow the viewer to access the law in an easy, informative and understandable way,' Legal TV said in a statement. 'We intend to be "the law firm in your living room" by introducing a wide range of legal professionals, regular contributors, occasional guests and experts in specific areas.'


The channel - which goes live on 20 February - aims to build up to an 18-hour transmission day, but will most likely start with a day that runs from 10am to 6pm. Ms Brown said that, in Legal TV's pre-launch research, people did not know why they would need the channel. But she said that this is down to a lack of knowledge of the law and how it touches everyday life, something Legal TV intends to change.


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