A Cheshire solicitor has launched a website giving legal advice over the internet to members of the public, who can decide how much they want to pay for it. The site, www.expert-answers.co.uk, was created by property partner James Mather at Ellesmere Port firm Berkson Wallace.

The website uses a panel of 30 legally qualified advisers including barristers, solicitors and legal executives, who can answer questions on any area of law. A user submits a question and states the price they are willing to pay for the answer. The question is sent to the panel members, and the first one able to respond sends the answer to a secure and confidential area on the website that can be accessed by the questioner.

The price paid for advice ranges from £10 to a maximum of £150. Half the fee goes to the adviser, and the other 50% is retained by the site.

Mather said: ‘With legal aid disappearing and citizens advice bureaux closing, it is becoming harder to get legal advice. Expert Answers bridges the gap between those who are eligible for legal aid and those who can afford to pay high street prices for legal advice.’

He added: ‘We don’t aim to take work away from solicitors, but to take the work they aren’t interested in.’