The Sole Practitioners Group is to launch a public relations campaign aimed at warning the public that profit-driven commercial organisations providing legal services may not offer the same high standard of ethics as law firms.

The SPG will spend £15,000 on a three-month campaign to address what it considers to be a ‘complete lack of public awareness’ of the new rules permitting alternative business structures and their impact on the legal landscape.

The group has appointed a PR adviser in a bid to place articles highlighting concerns about ethics in the mainstream media.

SPG honorary secretary Clive Sutton said a recent membership ballot showed overwhelming support for a campaign to highlight the dangers of allowing commercial bodies to own law firms.

He said: ‘There are fears that the integrity of the law will be compromised, with the client’s interests becoming secondary to profit.

‘Ten years ago, "fuddy-duddy" solicitors may have needed shaking-up, but the profession has transformed itself and does not need interference from supermarkets and other cash-rich businesses.’

The Law Society said all ABSs will be regulated under the same ethical code.