This article was published 3rd february 2011 by Leicester Mercury:

A law firm is moving to the high street to offer free consultations to passing trade in a more informal setting.

Douglas Wemyss Solicitors is opening its Legal Shop in Evington Road, Leicester.

The move comes ahead of the partial national deregulation of legal services by the Legal Services Board.

Dubbed Tesco Law, the changes will for the first time allow supermarkets, banks and other non law firms to offer some legal services.

The nationwide changes are scheduled for October.

The new Douglas Wemyss shop will have four or five staff members, offering advice on everything from conveyancing, wills, criminal law, personal injury and debt recovery.

The business has an established office in Friar Lane, in the city centre, and has four partners and 17 staff.

The new shop will open today in a former clothes store and will be open seven days a week.

It is understood to be the first of its kind in the city, although Edward Hands and Lewis opened their Law Shop in Market Street, Loughborough, last April.

Sameer Karim, senior partner at Douglas Wemyss, said they wanted to enter the potential new high street market before the rush.

He said they have invested £20,000 in the shop, which will open until 7pm from Monday to Saturday, and until 5pm on Sundays.

There will be three solicitors and four trainee solicitors working on a rota basis. Mr Karim will be there three days a week.

He said: "It's a completely new concept, offering free advice to anyone who drops in.

"We are expecting Saturdays and Sundays to be busy because a lot of people who might need advice are restricted by work commitments or the sensitive nature of a problem.

"It will not just be a free consultation but free advice. It's only when we put pen to paper that we will talk about fees – and because we are catering for a different market, the fees will be less than they traditionally would.

"We're very busy at the moment, so the main reason for doing this is because at the end of this year the Legal Services Act is going to allow non-legal entities to move into the legal market.

"We can compete because we have the qualified solicitors and can create our own brand."

The firm is considering opening shops in Narborough Road and Granby Street if Evington Road is a success.