LBS, SURGE & YISA launch Morrish Legal Service
As the introduction of the Legal Services Act looms later this year three major financial trade unions in Yorkshire today announced their launch of a new combined service offering legal advice for their members.
Leeds Staff Association, SURGE and Yorkshire Independent Staff Association, which are all members of Network Partnership, have appointed Leeds-based trade union law firm Morrish Solicitors to offer a legal services package for their members, including hotline advice on employment rights, injury claims, medical negligence, matrimonial law, conveyancing and elderly client services. The service is also open to family members.
The Legal Services Act 2006 comes into effect in October of this year, and allows law firms to adopt ‘alternative business structures’ which effectively allow firms and chambers in this country to be owned by non-lawyers. The act, often cited as ‘Tesco Law’, allows retail outlets to offer legal services and is seen as a threat to the survival of traditional high street law firms.
Speaking today, David Sorensen, Partner at Morrish Solicitors, said “Morrish Solicitors has a strong tradition of working for trade unions. We acted for our first trade union client in 1906 and we still act for them today. We are honoured to have been appointed by LBS, SURGE and YISA, and look forward to delivering access to justice for their members.”
“Interestingly, many financial unions find that even though their members’ employers offer some legal services to staff, members do not necessarily want to use the service. There is a potential for conflict and not everyone is comfortable with their colleagues knowing how much they paid for their house, or other such personal details. With our expertise and independent trade union credentials, we aim to fill those gaps with quality legal services,” said Sorensen.
“With the introduction of the Legal Services Act, we believe that trade unions will be more widely recognised for providing quality legal services for members. Trade unions have the motivation and the clout to provide better legal services for individuals,” said Sorensen.
Chairman of LSA, Tom Brannigan, said “Leeds Staff Association are delighted to extend the legal service package offered to our members based on our long standing relationship with Morrish solicitors regarding employment law matters which have always been dealt with in a professional manner.”
The service includes a hotline number 0800 145 5388 for members to call in the first instance.
For further information, please contact Vanessa Charters on 07595-564764.
Notes:
1. Network Partnership provides an industrial relations service to the large number of independent trade unions in the financial sector. http://www.networkpartnership.org.uk/StartHere.htm
2. The individual unions represent staff from the Leeds Building Society, Skipton Building Society Group and Yorkshire Building Society and their subsidiaries.
