A South Wales law firm is improving public access to legal advice with the launch of a new e-commerce platform.
Watkins and Gunn Solicitors has launched www.gateway2law.co.uk, a website which provides personalised solutions to a variety of legal matters including conveyancing, personal injury (at home or abroad), divorce, family disputes, wills and probate, employment law and clinical negligence.
Through bespoke software, short videos and jargon-free language, the website allows users to easily and discreetly navigate their way along a pathway to a personalised legal solution, which is then available for them to purchase.
Clive Thomas, managing partner of Watkins and Gunn Solicitors, said: “There are a number of barriers to people accessing legal advice. People can find it embarrassing being seen going to a solicitors office or it can be inconvenient for them to go during the day. Some are put off by the perceived high cost, and the legal jargon used can also be baffling and confusing. We have launched Gateway2Law to breakdown these barriers.
“There is nothing else like it out there. Gateway2Law is discreet, easy-to-use and gives users a personalised solution in minutes. It can be accessed 24/7 from the comfort of your own computer, laptop, mobile or tablet. Our plain English guidance is supported by short videos to help users better understand the potential legal process that lies ahead. And, all the advice and guidance has been drafted by our specialist solicitors, giving users certainty and confidence in the process.”
Gateway2Law is also set up to enable companies to add value to their staff benefit packages and affiliates to add it to their existing packages.
Watkins and Gunn Solicitors recognised the need to innovate and diversify its offering due to seismic changes in the sector brought about by the Legal Services Act and legal aid cuts.
Clive continued: “The legal sector is undergoing substantial change. It is an increasingly competitive marketplace and we are already seeing changes in how customers are sourcing their legal services. We knew that in order to remain ahead of the game in delivering our current and future services we needed a fresh, new e-commerce offering, which is still relatively new to the legal sector. With the support of the Welsh Government, this has been made possible.”
“The provision of online legal services will help us grow our practice by enabling us to attract new clients, offer staff legal benefit schemes for companies and broaden our client base by competing for work nationally.”
The project has been supported by £50,000 from the Welsh Government’s Economic Growth Fund.
Led by partners Clive Thomas, Sophie Hughes, Jonathan Wellington and Sarah Williams-Martin, Watkins & Gunn Solicitors operates out of offices in Cardiff, Newport and Pontypool.