Injury Lawyers 4U to grow as 600 firms queue to join

The founders of marketing consortium Injury Lawyers 4U are predicting that it will become the biggest scheme of its kind in the country after more than 600 firms expressed an interest in signing up.

The consortium, set up by pioneering Manchester firm Amelans, started out earlier this year with 26 firms such as Pannone & Partners, Donns and Leigh Day & Co (see [2003] Gazette, 23 January, 3), but is now set to open its doors to other interested practices.

Amelans partner Martin Cockx said it had been approached by many of the major players in the personal injury arena.

'The time couldn't be more right,' he added.

'The interest has been massive because it is exactly what people are looking for - Joe Public and solicitors are sick of being ripped off and this is ethical, transparent and it is clearly not a money-making scheme.

We want it to be the leading marketing scheme in the country.'

The consortium staged presentations this week in London and Manchester.

'We don't want people to think this is only for big firms,' Mr Cockx said.

'It is also for the smaller guy who wants to put the whole of his marketing budget in.'

Meanwhile, eight Midlands firms are the latest to have joined in a marketing venture.

Central Solicitors Direct - comprised of Wright Hassall, Blythe Liggins, Alsters Kelley, Penmans, Cocks Lloyd, Band Hatton, Brindley Twist Tafft & James, and Ollerenshaw - is expecting to receive 1,000 calls each week at its call centre following a television campaign.

Alsters Kelley solicitor Richard Paremain said everyone was confident that the consortium would form a stronger market presence than the firms would enjoy individually.

Paula Rohan