Co-op’s legal arm has doubled income in just four years, as the one-time standard-bearer for liberalised legal services continues on an upward trajectory.

Underlying profits climbed 28% to £27m in the year to 4 January, on revenues up 24% to £84m. Announcing its annual results today, the diversified mutual stressed that it has built market share in the legal sector despite a decline in probate work due to a fall in the  death rate.

Co-op Legal’s estate planning arm had a ‘particularly strong’ year, with a 29% increase in the number of case openings. Probate sales climbed 2.2% despite a decrease in death rate of 2.8%.

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In 2024, Co-op Legal Services moved to expand by forming partnerships with a range of organisations, from financial services businesses to charities. The firm said it has also successful invested in AI in probate, enabling clients’ cases to be resolved more quickly, while maintaining ‘excellent’ Trustpilot scores.

Caoilionn Hurley, managing director of Co-op Legal and Life Services, said: ’Co-op Legal Services has had an exceptional 2024, maintaining a strong growth trajectory.’

The firm’s performance as a legal services provider has been closely monitored since it emerged in 2012 as one of the first three applicants to be authorised as an alternative business structure. The venture was rationalised after years of losses, and has surged back into the black since the turn of the decade. In 2021 the business posted profits of £5m on income of £39m.

Co-op Legal employs over 700 staff in offices in Manchester, Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon and Sheffield. The business claims to be the largest provider of probate and estate administration services in England and Wales, dealing with over £3bn in estates annually.