Co-op to create new IT jobs with legal services expansion

The Co-operative Group has announced plans to create 3,000 new jobs, as it expands its legal services division, some of which will be in IT.

Although the organisation was unable to give a specific breakdown, a spokesperson said that around 10 percent (300) will be new support jobs, which covers IT, HR and legal support. The majority of jobs will be legal jobs.

Co-op's existing legal services business - currently made up of around 450 legal and support people - is based in Bristol.

It plans to expand by rolling out legal services across its high street Co-operative Bank branches, as well as creating five new hubs in the North West, Midlands, North East, South West and South East, in the next five years.

Peter Marks, Co-operative Group chief executive, said: "Over the next five years we want to fundamentally change the face of legal services and make access far easier.

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

The Co-op's legal services business will offer family law, will writing, probate and estate administration, conveyancing, personal injury claims and employment law services. They will be provided face-to-face, via the telephone or over the web.