The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) today announced plans to recruit 3,000 staff and extend its legal services to all 330 of its high street banks, creating the largest consumer law business in the country.

CLS, which in March became one of the first alternative business structures, said it plans to open five ‘regional hubs’ across England and Wales to operate from. Set up in 2006, CLS employs 450 staff and operates out of Bristol. Of the 3,000 new jobs, it says that 90% will have a legal function, with the other 10% in support roles.

It is already piloting legal and funeral planning services through 30 branches of the Co-operative Bank and Britannia building society. That will now be extended to all 330 high street branches.

Last November the organisation announced plans to open a family law operation in London later this year, headed by leading family lawyer and Law Society council member Christina Blacklaws.

As well as family law, CLS will offer will writing, probate and estate administration, conveyancing, personal injury and employment law. The services will be provided over the telephone and web, with some ‘selected’ face to face services.

Co-operative Group chief executive Peter Marks said: ‘We are particularly keen to use our expansion as a way to offer opportunities to young people. Legal apprenticeships and opportunities for study leave will form an important part of this major employment opportunity.’

He said: ‘Over the next five years we want to fundamentally change the face of legal services and make access far easier. We intend to be totally customer focused and will help customers navigate the legal world so that they are much more comfortable with the experience and the outcomes.’

Marks said: ‘Our ambition is to provide a service that will stop people feeling daunted by the prospect of having to work with a solicitor.’

Over the past five years the Co-operative Group has acquired the Somerfield supermarket chain and merged with Britannia Building Society. It now operates 4,800 outlets, with at least one food store in every postcode area, serving 20 million food shoppers every week.

Its last annual report revealed that its legal services had provided a better profit margin than its traditional retail activities. Operating profits from its legal services rose by 15% during 2011 and it reported profits of £4.5m, up from £3.9m in 2010. Group operating profit was up by just 0.5%, from £582m to £585m.