The former legal director of Stobart Barristers, Trevor Howarth, has launched another legal business with his long-time business partner, the Gazette can reveal.

Two Legal Services Limited, based in Lancashire, was authorised as an alternative business structure by the SRA this week.

The named head of legal practice is employment barrister Tim Edge, a member of Deans Court Chambers of Manchester and Preston.

Edge was a joint founder of another ABS, One Legal, in 2013, along with Howarth, who is chief executive of the company. That company continues to trade.

According to Companies House, Howarth, 53 (pictured) was appointed as a director of Two Legal in July. One Legal directors David Blyth, Karl Moss and Victor Parr are listed as directors of both entities.

Little is known about the latest venture, other than that the SRA has licensed Two Legal to undertake rights of audience, litigation, probate activities and administration of oaths. The company was incorporated in January this year.

Howarth said at the creation of One Legal it was the ‘final piece in the jigsaw to offer a one-stop shop’.

According to his chambers profile, Edge, who was called to the Bar in 1992, specialises in employment and personal injury. He is regularly instructed by in-house solicitors in local government and industry, as well as solicitors in private practice.

Howarth’s LinkedIn profile says he has 25 years’ experience managing solicitor firms, becoming legal director of Stobart Group in 2008 and establishing a panel of barristers for the haulage company’s legal needs.

He once controversially described traditional legal aid firms as ‘wounded animals waiting to die’ and said last year that One Legal would tender for legal aid contracts.

Edge has been contacted for comment.