The advent of ‘Tesco Law’

On the 6th October, ‘Tesco Law’ arrived.  You may have heard of this and the phrase itself is used by lawyers as a derogatory term for the fact that you no longer have to be a lawyer to run a law firm or offer legal advice and services.  Anything run under this new structure will be an ‘alternative business structure’ or ABS.  When the proposals were first mooted many years ago, it was widely expected that Tesco would want to become a big player as their next step towards world domination.  Tesco have since denied any such desire.  However, the Co-op, RAC and others have said that they will create or take over legal departments and offer legal services.

ABSs are supposedly being introduced to promote competition and innovation in a market where previously only identical organisations (law firms) have competed.  Law firms tend to sell themselves in similar ways.  Most would tell you that they offer a quality, personal service.  This can make it difficult to see how each law firm differs.  However, this is also a good reason why high street law firms should continue to thrive.  The tight regulation that has been in place for many years makes for better run firms.  No firm can advertise claiming, for example, that they are ‘the best firm in Newark’.  They could, but they would need to be able to prove it and that is almost impossible.  In actual fact, when I joined the profession in the early 90′s, advertising by lawyers was not allowed full stop.

I have seen quotes asking “Would you buy your groceries from a lawyer?  Then why buy your legal services from a grocer?”  These suggestions are a little disingenuous.  The ‘grocers’ in question would have to employ at least one lawyer to oversee the work that they do.  Initially it scared me that these ABSs would be able to undercut high street law firms by treating the services as a loss leader to drag more people into their brand and sell their more expensive items to the customers once they had been reeled in

After a little more deliberation, I realised that there is room for the ABSs.  There may currently be too many law firms in England and Wales – around 10,000.  At Tallents, we believe that we are ready for the new challenges and if any firms fall by the wayside as a result of the changes, we will not be one of them.  We are of a size that can offer a wide range of legal services.  We have procedures in place that ensure a quality offering.  I firmly believe that there will always be a place for the lawyer that you can meet, get to know and he or she can get to know you, your circumstances and your businesses and concerns.  If your lawyer knows you better and has a fuller, rounder picture of your affairs and concerns, that will always ensure better advice that takes everything into account.

Lawyers have faced these challenges before.  Around 15 years ago we saw the coming of ‘conveyancing factories’.  Many of you will have used their seemingly cheap services before.  Experience shows that people used them once and then not again.  There is a view that they are impersonal (you have a team rather than an individual looking after your matter and may not speak to the same person twice) and everything is dealt with from a distance, reducing the scope to ask questions and clarify things.  General experience shows that people use these cheaper ‘factories’ once and then not again.

This is a lesson that the new ABSs will have to learn if they don’t want to be derided and discarded by customers in the future.  Many law firms have already taken note.  Those that haven’t may well fall by the wayside.  Tallents have already obtained CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) accreditation, showing that the Law Society have reviewed our procedures and confirmed that we carry out conveyancing to the highest of standards.  Also, after around a year of planning and preparation, we have implemented new case management software which has improved our efficiency and ability to react instantly to the needs of our clients.

We are always trying to improve what we do and we have some exciting developments in progress.  Watch this space!

Tallents continue to be committed to their surrounding community, as we have done for almost 240 years.  If the new ABSs can offer their communities the same levels of service and support, then we, as lawyers, should welcome them and not shun them as a result of blind fear.  Those who are well organised have nothing to fear.

BBC TV programme sparks surge of enquiries at Newark Solicitors

Below is an article we first published in the Newark Advertiser last week.

 

A recent BBC 2 TV series, ‘Can’t Take It With You’ in which Sir Gerry Robinson helped families torn over what to write in their wills, has resulted in a surge of will writing enquiries at local law firm, Tallents Solicitors.

Senior Partner at the firm and Head of the Wills, Trust and Probate department, Frances Kelly commented,

Tallents' Senior Partner, Frances Kelly

“Since the TV programme has been aired we have noticed a marked increase in the number of people wanting to make, or review,their wills. Although Tallents has always encouraged people to start planning the allocation of their estates earlier rather than later, making a will is a subject that people naturally shy away from.

“Over six episodes the programme explored the estate planning problems of twelve different couples which seemed to strike a chord with the viewing audience and has encouraged them to come to us to discuss their own estate planning needs.”

‘Can’t Take It With You’ covered several complicated issues surrounding making wills and estate planning, such as: leaving monies to charity, favouring beneficiaries, dividing money to sons and daughters, guardianship, how to ensure the continuing success of a family business and providing for disabled dependents. It clearly demonstrated that experienced legal advice is always a good investment when making major decisions like this.

Frances continues,

“Every family will be in a different situation when it comes to drawing up a will. Deciding how to divide up your estate can be a

BBC's You Can't Take It With You

very sobering experience and it is often clouded by emotions running high as well, as the TV programme has shown.

“Our Wills Trust and Probate team has more than 100 years experience between them but they know that the majority of estate planning begins by simply sitting down and talking about what you want to happen to your estate when you die.

“We actively encourage clients to also speak to their families about their wishes to avoid creating long-term family bitterness that can sometimes outlast any monetary loss.”

Often people avoid the issue entirely by not writing a will at all which means they die ‘intestate’, but this is a selfish option, which only adds additional heartbreak for the bereaved at an already stressful time.

Frances finishes,

“We know that this is a sensitive subject and we always take the time to guide clients through the process and encourage them to explore every option before making sure their final wishes will be carried out on their death.

“Unfortunately, we can’t quite stretch to Sir Gerry’s generosity and take all our clients out to dinner to discuss their individual estate needs, but they can rest assured that we will be using our considerable experience and expertise to reach a satisfactory conclusion for them and their loved ones.”

If ‘Can’t Take It With You’ struck a chord with you and you want to discuss your estate planning, then call the Wills, Trust and Probate Department at Tallents Solicitors for experienced and simple legal advice you can trust.