Questionnaire: clients can pick the firm of their choice

A Web site that matches solicitors to clients was launched last month. Shop4law enables solicitors to quote for work based on an on-line questionnaire completed by clients.


The questionnaire, which is written in layman's terms, provides details of the legal problem or transaction and is designed to provide the same amount of information as a half-hour consultation with the client.


Clients are also asked about the type of law firm they are looking for, ranking the importance of the firm's location, the experience of fee-earners, the size of the firm, and cost and charging methods.


Solicitors who subscribe to the service may then offer a quote for the work. Up to four quotes are then put to the client, who reviews them and selects a firm. When they join the service, solicitors are asked to provide details of the size of their firms, their hourly rates and the number of years' post-qualification of staff. Before providing a quote, they are given access to the client's rankings and are free to drop their rates if they wish.


So far, 12 solicitors have signed up to the service, which has been running for four weeks. The Web site was founded by James Christacos and Ben Hawkins, who said matters have mainly involved family, employment, property and immigration so far, with some personal injury and commercial litigation work.


He added: 'This is a new method of marketing, using the Internet. It is a way of delivering cases to lawyers which is very easy and efficient, but using the firm's own skills, experience and personality.


'We are not a claims management company, which is simply farming out work to law firms. We are enabling clients to choose the solicitors they want.'


Link: www.Shop4law.co.uk