AccessSolicitor.com supports Consumer Panel on comparison website best practices

AN ONLINE legal directory which lists nearly 14,000 lawyers has joined just a handful of legal comparison websites in the UK to have achieved the ‘self-regulatory’ standards of the Legal Services Board (LSB).

This follows AccessSolicitor.com successfully making the case to the approved legal regulators that they should improve access to their data at a roundtable in March hosted by the LSB and the Legal Services Consumer Panel (Consumer Panel).

AccessSolicitor.com uses a specially-designed search function that allows consumers and businesses to find lawyers through a range of detailed criteria, including specialisation and location.

It also aims to guide consumers and small-business owners though the often daunting task of knowing their rights, with legal guides covering everything from immigration and employment to business disputes and property.

AccessSolicitor.com’s latest self-certification means both consumers and businesses looking for legal help now have the added safety blanket of knowing the search site has met standards of best practice endorsed by The Legal Services Board. One example of improvements introduced through the new self-regulatory system is that each business must have a complaints procedure in place for its customers to meet the standards.

Warren Smith, founder and chief executive of Access Solicitor, said:

“Client needs should be an increasingly central focus for legal services delivery and comparison websites will become an increasingly important part of ensuring that. Access Solicitor places client needs at the very heart of its service so it was very easy for us to subscribe to and support the best practice standards of the Consumer Panel as endorsed by the Legal Services Board.”

Elisabeth Davies, Chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel said:

“We are very pleased Access Solicitor has recognised the value of our standards, which help make sure consumers are treated fairly. Consumers lack confidence when using legal services so comparison websites in this sector do need to pay special attention to building public trust.” 

Ends

For more information please contact:

Warren Smith, chief executive

(07982) 393 149 or Warren.Smith@AccessSolicitor.com

Violetta Konar, operations manager

(07972) 049 840 or Violetta.Konar@AccessSolicitor.com

Notes to Editors

About AccessSolicitor.com

• AccessSolicitor.com was launched in August 2013 and is an online directory that allows legal professionals to promote themselves to consumers as well as small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
• The database, which includes solicitors, direct access barristers, licensed conveyancers and legal executives, totals 13,672 legal professionals.
• AccessSolicitor.com uses a website architecture that helps maximise the number of visitors to the site. It already provides a number of unique features to help match individuals searching for legal services with the most suitable lawyer.
• All AccessSolicitor.com’s services are currently free for consumers and SMEs
• AccessSolicitor.com is backed by several high net worth investors and venture capitalists.
• For more information about the team, please see http://www.AccessSolicitor.com/about-us

About the Legal Services Consumer Panel

• The Legal Services Consumer Panel was established under the Legal Services Act 2007 to provide independent advice to the Legal Services Board about the interests of consumers of legal services in England and Wales. They investigate issues that affect consumers and use this information to influence decisions about the regulation of legal services.
• In 2012 the Legal Services Consumer Panel published a report on comparisons websites in the legal sector and developed a set of good practice standards. The good practice standards can be viewed here.