As the Co-op announces plans to offer legal services nationwide through its 300 bank branches, taking advantage of the upcoming deregulation of the legal market, some recruiters see this as a positive sign for job creation.

Although law firms and legal recruiters are not expecting a massive hike in demand for lawyers, Justin Nott, co-founder and managing director of legal recruiter Chadwick Nott, believes consumer-led firms would have to react accordingly.

“Existing firms would need to compete but new entrants would need to recruit,” he told Recruiter. “Consumers want service 24/7, therefore firms will have to look at their resourcing and expand to meet demand.”

John Young, co-chair at global law firm Hogan Lovells, said he was “not at all surprised” at the Co-op’s move, but there will inevitably be a lot of “crystal ball gazing” at the upcoming ’Tesco law’ as the deregulation is known. “My main concern is that the appropriate safeguards [for the public] are in place to make sure it’s done well,” he explained.

Charles Crookall, HR director at law firm Emmetts, agreed. “Every industry needs to move forward and evolve. Here at Emmetts, we always welcome new ideas and innovations that encourage a better service for the consumer.”

He added: “Will the change increase job opportunites? Only time will tell.”

Some in the sector think consolidation will be an inevitable result of the deregulation.

“The independent or high-street solicitor may want to be part of a large organisation,” Young suggested. “There may not necessarily be more jobs as a result — just more variety of independents and large national organisations. It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.”