The BPIF has launched its own legal service, BPIF Legal. Offering legal services on a fixed fee basis in relation to employment and commercial issues, it will be staffed by solicitors employed by the federation.
The move follows changes that have widened the permitted provision of legal services so that any organisation that passes stringent tests set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) can set up as a law firm. The BPIF has now completed those tests and has become fully licensed.
Anne Copley, head of Legal, said: “The main bugbear when considering using a solicitor is the ‘dripping roast’ nature of the relationship so that the client has no clear idea of the fees they may incur. We will completely remove that uncertainty.
“As industry-specific lawyers, we have always been the advisers of choice for our members, but were restricted in how we could deliver our services. That is now set to change and I am looking forward to the new challenges promised by this development.”
BPIF CEO, Charles Jarrold added: “The BPIF's existing expert legal team will now be able to apply their highly relevant sector experience in helping our members, in a manner that they were not allowed to previously. We've had to meet extremely stringent criteria to be able to do this, so its tangible recognition of the professionalism and forward thinking that is a hallmark of the association.
“A recent study indicated that SME's are losing out through a lack of access to relevant cost effective legal advice, costing an estimated £14,000 per event, so this will be of real value to our members.’’