Mon 30th Oct, 2006
Halifax moves into legal services
Financial services provider Halifax has launched Halifax Legal Services, which will provide access to everyday legal services for consumers. The service will cost an annual fee of £89, which will give members unlimited access to all the service offered either by telephone or online. Advice will be provided by qualified solicitors, barristers and other professionals.
Services to be provided include conveyancing, an identity theft resolution service, a web based law guide, review and approval of wills, will preparation and a 24 hour legal advice helpline.
Most people need to use everyday legal services at some point in their lives. The UK market is estimated to be worth £8 billion (Source: Department for Constitutional Affairs). Service providers include Hammonds Direct, First Assist, Epoq and Capita, supported by a dedicated Halifax team.
Halifax that as a high street financial services provider, with a relationship with 40 per cent of UK households, it is well placed to provide these services, which are a significant opportunity for the Halifax group to grow.
In August 2005, Halifax launched a fixed fee conveyancing service which has been used by over 50,000 customers. At that time, Halifax mentioned its plans to offer a wider range of everyday legal products to consumers. In the first instance, Halifax Legal Solutions will be available as a direct to consumer service.
Joel Ripley, head of Halifax Legal Solutions, said: ‘Most people need legal advice at some point in their lives. Usually this is when they are moving home, making a will or dealing with a range of consumer issues. We are offering access to a range of straightforward solutions at a very good price.’