The Co-operative Group has announced plans to create 3,000 jobs in the legal sector as it continues to expand the range of services available to UK consumers.

The Group, which already has major interests in professional services including banking, insurance, pharmacy and funerals, will establish the jobs at Co-operative Legal Services, creating the largest consumer law business in the country.

In March, The Co-operative became the first major consumer brand to be granted alternative business structure (ABS) status under the new Legal Services Act, allowing it to offer a range of consumer legal services previously only available from private solicitors.

Group Chief Executive, Peter Marks said that over the next five years Co-operative Legal Services, which currently operates out of Bristol employing around 450 legally trained and support staff, would open five additional regional hubs across England and Wales and set up a new family law operation in London which is on schedule to launch later this year.

“We already have a first class reputation for delivering professional services,” he added. “We see the law as yet another area where a Co-operative solution can be successfully applied for the customer’s benefit. Over the next five years we want to fundamentally change the face of legal services and make access far easier - today’s announcement underlines that ambition.

“We intend to be totally customer focussed and will help customers navigate the legal world so that they are much more comfortable with the experience and the outcomes.”

“It is envisaged that about 90 per cent of the roles being created will be actual legal functions, with 10 per cent made up of support staff.

“We are particularly keen to use our expansion as a way to offer opportunities to young people. Legal apprenticeships and opportunities for study leave will form an important part of this major employment opportunity.”